ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Psichiatrica 2015 June;56(2):71-8

Copyright © 2015 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Psychosocial and human rights issues in females with a severe mental illness in remission

Ram D. ¹, Vathsala J. K. ¹, Bhanukumar M. ²

¹ Department of Psychiatry, JSS Medical College and Hospital, MG Road Agrahara, Mysore, India; ² Department of Medicine, JSS Medical College and Hospital, MG Road Agrahara, Mysore, India

AIM: Objective of the present paper was to study the pattern and socio-demographic correlates of psychosocial and human right issues in females with severe mental illness in remission.
METHODS: Forty-three consecutive females with severe mental illness in remission were recruited on follow-up as per selection criteria, and assessed with socio-demographic proforma and questionnaire for psychosocial and human rights issues designed for this study.
RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of patients faced a psychosocial consequence and 11% had human rights issues due to mental illness. Linear regression analysis between scores on human rights issues and demographic and clinical variables (R2=0.556, F=3.135, P=0.005) revealed that value of scores on psychosocial issues was statistically significantly predicted by Hindu religion (beta=-0.421, t=-3.051, P<0.005), unemployed status (beta=0.400, t=2.282, P<0.05), married status (beta=-0.472, t=-2.683, P<0.5) and living in the joint family (beta=0.264, t=1.997, P<0.05). Married status also predicted statistically significantly (beta=-0.581, t=-2.706, P<0.01) the value of score on psychosocial issues.
CONCLUSION: Psychosocial and human rights issues are faced by a substantial proportion. Hindu religion, unemployed status, married and living in the joint family may predict human rights issues while married status may significantly predict psychosocial issues in females with mental illness in remission.