STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A GENDER-BASED ANALYSIS
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Keywords
schizophrenia. Stressful, psychological, social domains, quality of life(QoL), drug-naïve
Abstract
Psychosocial stressors and quality of life (QoL) play a central role in the course of schizophrenia. Gender may influence these domains differently.
Objective: To assess and compare stressful life events and QoL between male and female schizophrenia patients. Explore the relationship between stressful life events and quality of life in schizophrenia with a gender-based perspective.
Methods: Sixty drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia patients (30 male, 30 female) were assessed using the Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES)and WHOQOL-BREF.
Results: Males reported significantly more stressful life events (mean 5.37 vs. 2.97, p<0.01) and higher stress scores (180.0 vs. 129.5). Conversely, females had better quality of life scores across physical, psychological, and social domains (total QoL 83.5 vs. 74.3, p<0.05).
Conclusion: While male patients experience greater stress exposure, female patients demonstrate relatively preserved quality of life. Tailored interventions targeting stress management in men and psychosocial support for women may enhance recovery.
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Dr G. Amutha M.D
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Madurai Medical College, Madurai
Dr S. Shanmugapriya M.D
Associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, Ramanathapuram Medical College, Ramanathapuram
Dr. D. Kirupakara Krishnan MD DPM
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Madurai Medical College, Madurai
Dr .NS Subbu Lakshmi MD DLO
Assistant Professor, department of Pathology, Madurai medical college
Dr. R. Guganathan MBBS
Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Madurai Medical College
Dr. Narayanasamy Krishnasamy MD
DM, MPH, Vice Chancellor, The TN Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai,
Dr. Kalpana MD
Senior research officer, Department of epidemiology, the TN Dr. MGRMedical University, Chennai,