Social support and community functioning of clients with schizophrenia: A nursing investigation

The purpose of this study was to increase knowledge regarding the concept of social support and its role in contributing to a better understanding of clients with schizophrenia and their ability to function in the community.;The results of the study demonstrated that its sample of clients with schizophrenia had social networks which were small and family-dominated. Relationships outside the family were not long-standing and contact with network members was limited. Recent loss of network members was relatively common. Subjects perceived that they received less social support than other groups.;A significant positive relationship was found between social support as measured by the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire and community functioning as measured by the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. The relationship between social support and community functioning may operate bidirectionally.;Based on the information provided by this study, guidelines for incorporating the concept of social support in clinical practice were addressed as well as implications for nursing theory and research. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).