Typology of schizophrenic symptoms and quality of life in patients and their main caregivers in northern Chile

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder characterized by the presence of both 'positive' and 'negative' symptoms that affect the essential functions through which a person gains his or her sense of individuality and capacity for independent functioning. Aims: To describe the typology of schizophrenic symptoms and their relationship to quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and their main caregivers. Methods: Participants were 45 patients and 45 relatives seen by the mental health services in Arica, Chile. Patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Seville Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQLQ), and the Social Functioning Scale (SFS). The latter was also administered to caregivers, along with the Zarit Burden Interview. Results: Patients reported moderate levels of quality of life, there being a strong relationship with the negative syndrome and the general psychopathology of the disorder. The quality of life of main caregivers was related with the general psychopathology of patients. The results regarding social functioning and the caregivers' perceptions of patients' functional capacity showed that patients had a very limited degree of social integration. Conclusions: Negative symptoms and general psychopathology are the main predictors of quality of life in both patients and their caregivers.