Differences in etiological beliefs about schizophrenia among patients, family, and medical staff

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether etiological beliefs are different among schizophrenia patients, their family, and medical staff. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed at five hospitals and one mental clinic and included 212 patients, 144 family members, and 347 medical staff other than psychiatrists. A questionnaire about the possible etiological causes of schizophrenia was used. RESULTS: There were significant differences in response scores among the three groups on using Angermeyer’s and Goulding’s classifications. Factor analyses revealed the following four subscales: Psychosocial, Biological, Environmental, and Cultural connotations. The structure varied among patients, family, and medical staff. CONCLUSION: The perspectives of schizophrenia etiology were different among patients, family, and medical staff.