Relatives of patients with severe psychotic disorders: factors that influence contact frequency - Report from the UK700 trial

TY - JOUR

T1 - Relatives of patients with severe psychotic disorders: factors that influence contact frequency - Report from the UK700 trial

AU - Harvey, K

AU - Burns, T

AU - Sedgwick, P

AU - Higgitt, A

AU - Creed, F

AU - Fahy, T

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - Background The 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. Aims To examine the predictors of frequent patient-relative contact, in particular the role of relatives' experience. Method UK700 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. Results Neither characteristics associated in the literature with relatives' 'burden' nor relatives' experience predicted patient- relative contact frequency Instead, the predictors were mainly demographic. Conclusions Many relatives experience considerable distress, but the evidence does not suggest that they avoid frequent contact with the patient as a consequence. Declaration of interest The UK700 trial was funded by grants from the UK Department of Health and the NHS Research and Development programme.

AB - Background The 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. Aims To examine the predictors of frequent patient-relative contact, in particular the role of relatives' experience. Method UK700 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. Results Neither characteristics associated in the literature with relatives' 'burden' nor relatives' experience predicted patient- relative contact frequency Instead, the predictors were mainly demographic. Conclusions Many relatives experience considerable distress, but the evidence does not suggest that they avoid frequent contact with the patient as a consequence. Declaration of interest The UK700 trial was funded by grants from the UK Department of Health and the NHS Research and Development programme.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035111552&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1192/bjp.178.3.248

DO - 10.1192/bjp.178.3.248

M3 - Article

SN - 1472-1465

VL - 178

SP - 248

EP - 254

JO - British Journal of Psychiatry

JF - British Journal of Psychiatry

IS - MARCH.

ER -