The relationship between perceived social support and quality of life among hospitalized patients with schizophrenia

Patients with mental illness often experience limited Social Support, which is a contributing factor to isolation and negatively affects their psychological and emotional well-being, including their quality of life (QoL). This research explored the association between individuals' perception of Social Support and quality of life among hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross between the period of November 2024 and January 2025 and included 86 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants were selected from medical records and completed a self-reported questionnaire after receiving assistance from a medical intern. The questionnaire included the following instruments: Perceived Social Support (based on the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support MSPSS) and quality of life (according to WHO Quality of Life Scale WHOQOL-BREF). Statistical analyses was done using the SPSS version 25.0. Linear regression analysis using the Enter method was conducted, taking the total quality of life scale and subscales as the dependent variables. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee at the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross (HPC-001-10-24). Informed consent was obtained from each participant at the beginning of the survey before having any access to the questionnaires and their participation. A statistically significant positive correlation was recognized between the total QoL and total individuals' perception of Social Support (r = 0.259, p = 0.016). Family visits and individuals' perception of Social Support were both significantly associated with higher QoL. Nevertheless, there was no significant correlation between perceived Social Support from friends and QoL (r = 0.083, p = 0.447). A first regression analysis taking the QoL as the dependent variable showed that the length of the current hospitalization and antipsychotic medication dosage were not significantly associated with QoL. Moreover, the regression model did not reach any significant effect (Adjusted R2 = 0.031; F (4, 78) = 1.628, p = 0.176). A second regression analysis, taking the QoL as the dependent variable, showed that a higher number of family visits (Beta = 11.23; 95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.72-21.75, p = 0.037) and higher perceived Social Support (Beta = 3.11; 95% CI 0.46-5.76, p = 0.022) were significantly associated with higher QoL. The model reached a significant effect (Adjusted R2 = 0.101; F (4, 83) = 3.33, p = 0.014). The findings indicate a positive relationship between individuals' perception of Social Support, particularly from family and significant others, and the quality of life in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. However, causal relationships could not be determined due to the cross-sectional nature of the study.