SOCIAL AND CLINICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF COPING STRATEGIES IN RELATIVES OF PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA - RESULTS OF THE BIOMED-I STUDY

The impact of social and clinical factors on the choice of coping stra tegies of a sample of 236 relatives of patients with schizophrenia, li ving in five European countries, was explored using well-validated que stionnaires. The adoption of problem-focused coping strategies was mor e frequent among young relatives and among relatives of younger patien ts, and was associated with higher levels of practical and emotional s ocial support and of professional help. In contrast, emotion-focused s trategies were more frequently adopted by relatives who had been livin g longer with the patient and who had poorer social support. It is sug gested that supportive and educational interventions should be provide d as early as possible to relatives of patients with schizophrenia, wh ich, in addition to having a practical focus, should also have a socia l focus, aiming at extending the family's social network.