Perceived Social Support Among People with Lived Experience of Serious Mental Illness in Remission and Their Disability: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30834/KJP.38.1.2025.503Keywords:
Perceived social support, People with lived experience, Serious Mental Illness, Disability.Abstract
Background: Disability associated with mental illness is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. There are only limited studies assessing perceived social support and disability among patients who are in remission. This study helps us understand whether the perceived social support among people with lived experience (PWLE) is associated with disability. Aim: To determine the association between perceived social support and disability among people with lived experience of serious mental illness. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted over 6 months among 125 patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia spectrum disorders, Depressive disorders, and Bipolar and related disorders who are in complete or partial remission according to DSM-5 criteria. Socio-demographic data was collected using a semi-structured proforma. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. (WHODAS II) were used to study perceived social support and disability. An association between perceived social support and disability among people with lived experience of serious mental illness was done using the Chi-square test. Results: Among 125 patients, 13.6% perceived high social support, 48% perceived moderate social support, and 38.4% perceived low social support. The majority of the PWLE of serious mental illness in remission had no disability The majority of the PWLE of serious mental illness in remission had no disability. Conclusion: This study shows that there is no significant association between disability and perceived social support. There may be other factors that determine disability among people with lived experience of serious mental illness.
Funding: No funding sources
Conflict of interest: None declared
Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Deena Anna Jacob, Sheena Varughese, Joice Geo, Roy Abraham Kallivayalil (Author)
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