[Relatives' knowledge and opinions about schizophrenia]

The aim of the present study was to determine the knowledge and opinions of schizophrenic patients' relatives regarding the disorder, its causes, treatment methods, and treatment outcomes, as well as to determine the variables that affected their knowledge and opinions.

Data were collected by contacting 332 family members living with schizophrenia outpatients that were treated in 2 different healthcare institutions. A questionnaire form was administered to collect data from the family members regarding demographic features, patients' clinical features, and family members' knowledge of the diagnostics of schizophrenia. The questionnaire also contained 22 statements regarding the etiology, treatment methods, and treatment outcomes of schizophrenia. The data were compared in relation to the demographic features of the relatives and the clinical features of the patients.

Most of the family members (62%) referred to the disorder as schizophrenia or psychosis, and 17.5% did not know the name of the disorder. Family members thought schizophrenia was a brain disorder (87.7%), a psychological disorder (95.9%), or a personality disorder (67.5%). All participants agreed with the statement, "medical treatment must be followed". Magical attributions were believed to be involved in the disorder's onset and its treatment by 27.7% of the participants; this belief was correlated with level of education. Duration of the disorder, number of hospitalizations, existence of another psychotic patient in the family, level of education of the family members, and gender were significant predictors for their opinions.

Clinical features of the patients and demographic features of the family members have a significant effect on the family members' knowledge and opinions. Outcomes of the present study could be used in the development of psychoeducational programs.