TTLV: Caregiver's Perception of Schizophrenia

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:Le Thi Oanh 

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: March 16, 1992

4. Place of birth: Hung Yen

5. Decision No. 3683/2015/QD-XHNV dated December 31, 2015, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the student.

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Thesis title:Caregiver's awareness of schizophrenia

8. Major: Psychology Code: 60.31.04.01

9. Scientific supervisor:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Sinh Phuc

10. Summary of the thesis results:

Based on research into caregivers' perceptions of schizophrenia, the results indicate that caregivers have a moderate level of awareness regarding schizophrenia.

Regarding the perception of the nature of schizophrenia, although the view that schizophrenia is a chronic disease requiring lifelong treatment had the highest average score (0.80/1), inaccurate views on the nature of the disease still had relatively high scores, such as the view that schizophrenia is a neurological disease (0.52/1); that schizophrenia is an incurable disease (0.50/1); and that schizophrenia is caused by demonic possession (0.09/1).

Regarding the age of onset of schizophrenia, 60.4% of caregivers believe the disease begins in adolescence, 24.5% believe it begins in middle age; 0.09% believe it begins in old age, and 14.2% are unsure of the onset age. Thus, a significant number of caregivers remain unsure of the onset age of schizophrenia.

Regarding the prevalence of the disease by gender, the results show that 71.7% believe there is no difference between men and women. The remaining opinions are: men are more likely to be affected than women (10.4%); women are more likely to be affected than men (2.8%), and it is unclear (15.8%).

Regarding the causes and factors that contribute to the development of schizophrenia, research results show that caregivers highly value direct influencing factors such as psychological trauma, prolonged stress, etc. Internal risk factors such as genetics, abnormalities in brain structure, etc., are rated less highly by caregivers.

Regarding the symptoms of schizophrenia, this aspect is generally well understood by caregivers, as symptoms are outward manifestations. However, a small number of caregivers still misunderstand the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as seizures (mean = 2.21/4); and chest pain (mean = 2.56/4).

Regarding the treatment of schizophrenia patients, 39.6% of caregivers believe that schizophrenia is treatable; 37.7% believe it is untreatable; and 22.6% are unsure whether it is treatable.

Regarding treatment options, most caregivers are aware of therapies for schizophrenia patients, but they often focus primarily on medication. They do not prioritize rehabilitation therapies such as work, exercise, etc., for schizophrenia patients.

Regarding consolidation therapy, 67.9% of caregivers believe that lifelong consolidation therapy is necessary for schizophrenia. 0.9% believe only one month of consolidation therapy is needed; 7.5% believe it should be for three months; 0.9% believe it should be for six months; 5.7% believe it should be for one year; and 17% are unsure about the duration of treatment.

Regarding caregiving, caregivers generally have a good understanding of all the necessary aspects of caring for patients with schizophrenia; however, the practice of home care is not yet high.

Caregivers' perceptions of schizophrenia vary depending on the caregiver's age, education level, and occupation.

11. Practical applications:

The research findings of this thesis contribute to establishing a basis for health education and counseling within the hospital, thereby improving the quality of medical examination and treatment at the hospital.

12. Future research directions:

If conditions and time permit, we will expand the scope of our research and focus on the burdens and difficulties faced by caregivers while caring for patients with schizophrenia.

13. Published works related to the thesis: None

NOTICE OF MASTER DEGREE THESIS

1. Full name: Le Thi Oanh 2. Sex: Female

3. The date of birth: March 16, 1992 4. Place of birth: Hung Yen Province

5. Decision on Recognition of Trainees No. 3683/2015/QD-XHNV dated December 31, 2015 by the Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University.

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Thesis Title: Awareness of caregivers of schizophrenia.

8. Specialization: Psychology Code: 60.31.04.01

9. Scientific Supervisor: Professor Ph.D. Nguyen Sinh Phuc

10. Summary of the results of the thesis:

Based on the perception of caregivers of schizophrenia. The results show that caregivers perceive schizophrenia as moderate.

On the perception aspect of the nature of schizophrenia. Although the view that schizophrenia is a chronic progressive disease that requires lifetime treatment has the highest mean score (GP = 0.80/1), but inaccurate views about the nature of the disease. Still, there is a high probability that schizophrenia is a neurological disease (GP = 0.52/1); Schizophrenia is an incurable disease (GP = 0.50 /1); schizophrenia is due to entry (0.09/1).

In terms of the onset of schizophrenia, 60.4% of carers thought that the disease originated in adolescence, 24.5% thought it was in middle age; 0.09% thought that the disease originated in the elderly and 14.2% did not develop any disease at any age. Thus, the number of caregivers of unknown schizophrenia patients at any age is still high.

As regards the incidence of sexually transmitted infections, the results indicated that 71.7% of the respondents said that the disease did not differ between men and women. The rest are male opinions more than females (10.4%); female more than male (2.8%), unknown (15.8%).

About the causes and factors that promote the development of schizophrenia. Research results show that caregivers value direct impact factors such as psychological trauma, prolonged stress, etc. Internal risk factors such as heredity, abnormalities of brain structure etc. assessed at a lower level by carers.

Symptoms of schizophrenia. This is the aspect that the caretaker is well aware of, because the symptom is the appearance. However, there are still a small number of caregivers who are not aware of the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as convulsions (DB = 2.21/4); chest pain syndrome (GP = 2.56/4).

On the issue of treatment for schizophrenia patients, in view of this, 39.6% of carers considered that schizophrenia was treatable; 37.7% of caregivers claimed that the disease was not treatable and 22.6% of caregivers did not know if the disease was treatable.

Regarding therapies, most caregivers know about treatments for schizophrenia patients but caregivers focus only on medications for patients, the use of therapies Rehabilitation for patients with schizophrenia such as labor, physical training and sports The caregiver has not been paid much attention.

From the point of view of reinforcement treatment, 67.9% of carers considered that schizophrenia needed lifelong cure. 0.9% said that only one month of consolidation treatment; 7.5% thought treatment for 3 months; Six months was 0.9%; One year is 5.7% and 17% is unclear how long the treatment is.

In terms of care, caregivers are generally well aware of all aspects of schizophrenia care, but home care practices are not high.

Carer's perceptions of schizophrenia vary by age, education and caregiver's background.

11. Applicability in practice:

The research results of the thesis contribute to the communication and counseling of health education in the hospital, contributing to the improvement of the hospital's quality of medical examination and treatment.

12. Further research directions:

With conditions and time, we will expand the scope of our research and focus on the burdensome caregiver difficulties encountered in caring for schizophrenia patients.

13. Works published related to thesis: None