The Interrelationship of Benefit Finding, Stigma, and Suicide Risk Among Patients with Schizophrenia and Their Caregivers: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the dyadic dynamics of benefit finding, stigma, and suicide risk on the depression severity of individuals with schizophrenia and their caregivers. Methods: We prospectively recruited a total of 72 individuals with schizophrenia and 72 caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia from a medical center in Taiwan between August 2022 and July 2023. Patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers were assessed using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire, Benefit Finding Scale, Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue, Suicide Assessment Scale, and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results: The most prevalent psychiatric diagnoses in the caregivers were depressive disorders (29.2%). Using structural equation modeling, we found that patients’ suicidal risk (β = 0.45, p < 0.001) may contribute to the severity of depression in individuals with schizophrenia. We also found that caregivers’ BF degree (β = −0.25, p < 0.01) and suicidal risk (β = 0.64, p < 0.001) may contribute to the severity of depression in the caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia. Furthermore, we found that caregivers’ suicidal risk (β = 0.28, p < 0.05) and caregivers’ stigma (β = −0.31, p < 0.01) level may contribute to the severity of depression in individuals with schizophrenia. Discussion: Clinicians should actively manage caregivers’ stigma and provide positive reinforcement for caregivers’ BF, as this may help reduce depression in both caregivers and individuals with schizophrenia. Additionally, assessing suicide risk in both groups is essential for preventing suicides among individuals with schizophrenia and caregivers alike.