Background Adequate social support is important for optimum psychosocial functioning of patients with mental disorders. However, this aspect has not
been well investigated among patients with affective disorders in Nigeria.
Aim To investigate the perception of helpfulness of the various sources of social support and its relationship to psychosocial functioning among patients managed for affective disorders.
Method The Derogatis Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) and a Social Support Scale were administered on 50 patients managed
for affective disorders at a Nigerian teaching hospital.
Results The proportions of the patients who perceived the nine sources of social support as 'very helpful’ were low ( 2-32% ). Neighbors, friends and church/mosque members were perceived as 'very helpful' than relatives, spouses and children. Workers engaged in the care of the patients (doctors, nurses, social workers and psychologists) were perceived as 'very helpful' by the lowest proportions of the sample (2-12%). Low social support correlated with low functioning on four domains of PAIS Environment, Sexual Relations, Social Environment and Psychological Distress. Vocational
Conclusion It is important to modify the possible factors, which may make these desirable sources offer inadequate support.
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