Psychopathology and personality factors in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness which has far-reaching consequences not only on patients but also on relatives. These relatives are at an increased risk for developing schizophrenia, depression, and substance dependence. Psychopathology may be related to personality factors. This study was planned to assess psychopathology and personality factors in first degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia and to evaluate any relation between them.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at psychiatry out- and in-patient clinic at a tertiary care teaching hospital. One hundred and fifty patients who were first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition were enrolled in this study. Psychopathology was assessed on "Symptom Checklist 90-Revised." "Big Five Inventory" (BFI) was used to study the personality factors. The two variables were compared to look for any relation between them.

Eighty-two of 150 (54.67%) first-degree relatives were diagnosed to have significant psychopathology. Among them, 42 (i.e., 58.5%) had either somatization or depression. Those relatives who had psychopathology scored higher on neuroticism (P = 3.51E-04) and lower on agreeableness (P = 0.029) domains of BFI.

Relatives of patients with schizophrenia should be screened for psychopathology regularly, also relation between personality and psychopathology needs to be explored further.