Social Support Networks: The Views of Schizophrenic Clients and Their Significant Others

Abstract

This study compared the perceptions of schizophrenic clients concerning their social support networks with those of their significant others, relative to size, composition, and level of interaction. The study found that the schizophrenic clients reported having networks that were larger, more supportive, and more often composed of nonkin than were those reported by their significant others. The important implications of these findings for social work practice and research are discussed.