Rehabilitation of schizophrenics by the extended family

Patterns of care by extended and nuclear families for their patients were studied in relation to 540 Arab schizophrenic outpatients in Qatar. The extended family differs from the nuclear family not only in its larger size but also in the greater emotional commitment of its members to each other's well being. The extended family is more tolerant of patients' minor behavioural abnormalities and temporary protective withdrawals. It is more helpful in the supervision of patients' medication and their social adjustment and leisure-time occupation. Being more traditionally oriented, the extended family helps patients to understand their illness experiences in terms of cultural belief systems once they lose the components that cannot be contained in these systems. Extended family members are less likely than nuclear family members to tax the patients' emotional resources and limited repertoire of social skills.