Relationship between Social Support and the Quality of Life Among Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Background: Mental health disorders are medical conditions that influence individuals’ daily functioning, ability to maintain social relationships, and decrease their quality of life (QOL). Social support is meaningful because it is essential for mental health as well as enhancing psychiatric patients’ QOL. Aim This study was to assess the relationship between social support and QOL among psychiatric patients. Subjects and Method A descriptive correlational research design is utilized for the current study. The study subjects are a convenience sample of 115 patients from five psychiatric inpatient units and one outpatient clinic of Port-Said Mental Health Hospital. Three structured interview schedules were utilized to collect the necessary data: ToolI: WHO Quality of Life Scale Bref version, Tool II: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, in addition to a socio demographic and clinical data questionnaire. Results The study revealed that more than half of the psychiatric patients reported low QOL and two thirds of them reported low social support. In addition, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between social support and QOL. It was observed that disease onset, onset of treatment, and previous hospitalization significantly affect the social support level. But, the age, income, employment status, diagnosis, and disease onset significantly affects the QOL. Conclusion and Recommendation It can be concluded that most of psychiatric patients have low social support and QOL. In addition, there is a relation between social support and QOL. Therefore, social support should be an essential part of psychiatric treatment because of its important role in enhancing patients’ QOL. The study recommendedincreasing the awareness of the mental health team about the importance of dealing holistically with psychiatric patients as considering his/her physical, psychological, social, and environmental aspects.