A Study on the coping strategies, perceived social support, attitudes towards mental health problems on the overall wellbeing among adolescents of parents diagnosed with schizophrenia

<title>Abstract</title> <p> <underline> <bold>Background</bold> </underline> Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder that profoundly impacts not only the individual diagnosed but also their family members, particularly their children and adolescents. Adolescents with parents diagnosed with schizophrenia face unique challenges that can affect their psychological and emotional wellbeing. This study aims to fill the gap in existing literature by focusing on their coping strategies, perceived social support, and attitudes towards mental health problems, and examining how these factors affect their overall wellbeing. <underline> <bold>Aims and Objectives</bold> </underline> 1. To identify the common coping strategies used by adolescents of parents with schizophrenia. 2. To assess the levels of perceived social support among these adolescents. 3. To explore their attitudes towards mental health problems. 4. To examine the relationship between coping strategies, social support, attitudes towards mental health, and overall wellbeing. <underline> <bold>Methods</bold> </underline> The hospital-based, single-centered descriptive study involved 45 adolescent offspring (aged 12-19 years) of parents diagnosed with schizophrenia, selected using purposive sampling. Data collection tools included a semi-structured proforma for socio-demographic details and clinical history, the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (A-COPE), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, KIDS 52, and the Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems scale. <underline> <bold>Results</bold> </underline> The study revealed that adolescents of parents with schizophrenia primarily rely on self-reliance and optimism(mean=3.30), with low tendencies to seek professional support(mean=1.82). They reported high levels of support from significant others, indicating strong personal networks(mean=5.10). Moderate levels of internal (mean=0.91) and external shame (mean=0.81) highlight ongoing stigma.While their physical health is good(mean=3.47), their emotional wellbeing is moderate(mean=1.98), suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve their emotional resilience and reduce stigma. <underline> <bold>Conclusion</bold> </underline> In conclusion, this study sheds light on the coping strategies, perceived social support, and attitudes towards mental health among adolescents of parents diagnosed with schizophrenia. It underscores the importance of self-reliance and optimism in their coping mechanisms, alongside significant support from personal networks. However, moderate levels of stigma indicate ongoing challenges. Addressing these issues through targeted interventions is crucial to improving their emotional resilience and overall wellbeing. </p>