Social support perceptions of Turkish people with schizophrenia: What helps and what doesn’t help

Abstract

Background: Social support is an important facilitator of the quality of life for people with schizophrenia. This study examines what is perceived as helpful and unhelpful support from the members of the natural social networks by 32 Turkish people with schizophrenia. Material: Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were used to examine what is perceived as helpful and unhelpful support. Discussion and Conclusion: The findings suggested that instrumental, emotional and socialization supports were the general categories that capture the perceptions of support. Intrusion and belittling/rejection appeared as unhelpful. It is important to take these perceptions into account in providing psychoeducation to families and in designing psychosocial intervention programs.