Assessment of social functioning, quality of life, and social support in persons with schizophrenia: A gender difference

Context: The outcome of schizophrenia (SZ) is impaired psychosocial functioning and poor quality of life (QOL) which is associated with burdens and societal expenditure to the caregivers. Aims: This study was aimed to access the difference in social occupational functioning, QOL, and social support between male and female patients with SZ. Settings and Design: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted on persons with SZ visiting the psychiatry outpatient department in a tertiary care teaching institute. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of N = 200 persons with SZ (International Classification of Diseases-10) aged 21–45 years of both genders. The assessment of socio-occupational functioning, QOL, and social support with administering the Social Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFS), World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Scale, and PGI Social Support questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: A Chi-square test was applied for discrete variables and a t-test for continuous variables. An independent sample t-test was used to assess differences between the males and females. Results: Overall, males were more educated than females. Occupationally, there was a significant difference between males and females (P = 0.000). A significant difference (P = 0.000) was found between males and females on total socio-occupational functioning and social support (P = 0.000). The difference between males and females on QOL was observed on perceived physical health (P = 0.000) and psychological health (P = 0.039). Conclusions: This study confirms that there is a definite gender difference in SZ on psychosocial and QOL. Males were physically, psychologically healthier and had better socio-occupational functions as well as strong social support compared to females.