Psycho Social Determinants and Rehabilitation Needs of Persons with Major Psychiatric Disorders: A Community Based Study

Psychiatric rehabilitation programs have sought to develop strategies to enhance and support the community integration of people with psychiatric disabilities. Assessment of psychosocial determinants and need prioritisation is necessary for planning any effective rehabilitation programme. This could enable integration of persons with psychiatric disabilities to be individualized and meaningful. This community based study conducted in the North-East Region of India, at LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam attempted to assess psycho social determinants and the subjective rehabilitation needs of persons with major psychiatric disorders (Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective Disorders). Fifty home visits were made in municipality areas of Tezpur. Respondents were interviewed using a semi structured interview schedule to assess the socio demographic profile and psychosocial problems. Rehabilitation Needs Assessment Schedule (Nagaswami et al., 1985) was administered to assess respondents' needs regarding rehabilitation. Results indicate that majority of the patients had "inadequate finances, insufficient welfare support, minimal social support and family care burden". Persons with psychiatric disorders and caregivers expressed multiple needs; thereby emphasizing that psycho social problem impacted the rehabilitation needs. Psychiatric patients need comprehensive after-care packages and support is required for both persons with major psychiatric disorders and their caregivers.