Relatives of patients with severe psychotic disorders: Factors that influence contact frequency

Abstract

BackgroundThe isolation experienced by many patients with severe psychotic disorders is generally assumed to be due to their social withdrawal. An alternative possibility is that relatives avoid frequent contact with patients because they find the situation distressing.AimsTo examine the predictors of frequent patient-relative contact, in particular the role of relatives' experience.MethodUK700 trial data were used to determine baseline predictors of frequent contact and establish whether relatives' experience at baseline predicted continued frequent contact 2 years later.ResultsNeither characteristics associated in the literature with relatives' ‘burden’ nor relatives' experience predicted patient-relative contact frequency. Instead, the predictors were mainly demographic.ConclusionsMany relatives experience considerable distress, but the evidence does not suggest that they avoid frequent contact with the patient as a consequence.