1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« The purpose of this exploratory study, then, was to examine various network measures, taking type of family involvement into account. The objectives were threefold: (a) to determine type of family involvement over the course of illness of severely mentally disordered individuals; (b) to explore the long-term effect of family involvement on patient’s social network configuration; and (c) to examine the association between family involvement and adaptive characteristics of those suffering from psychiatric disorders in terms of patient’s use of services, perception of social support, and social integration. » (p. 35)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The sample for this study consisted of 80 severely mentally disordered outpatients [...] recruited from the outpatient registry of a large psychiatric hospital in Montreal [...] » (p. 35)

Instruments :
« A semi-structured interview was conducted with the patients and a complete review of their medical records was undertaken. [...] Then, with the patients’ consent, family members also were interviewed. » (p. 35)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique et analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

« Little is known about the long-term involvement of families in the life of persons suffering from severe psychiatric disorders. [...] This study was a sequel to a first phase of analysis, which identified two important variables for understanding the trajectory of severely mentally ill patients: (a) an estimation of the beginning of their illnesses, marked by their entry into the care process; and (b) a measure of network cohesion, drawn from the processes which led to their first hospitalizations. [...] The trajectories of 80 young adults are drawn in this study to determine social networks, service utilization patterns, and family involvement type. Findings indicate that, for community-living patients, family involvement type is a key adaptation factor. [...] Under certain circumstances, professionals must actively assist families and even temporarily serve as substitutes for them until they regain their strength and adjust to their ill relatives. » (pp. 33; 35; 47)