The impact of violent news occurring in private school in Bangkok towards patients and their relatives

Abstract

The impact towards schizophrenic patients and their relatives after schizophrenic patient had stabbed 4 students in the famous private school in Bangkok on 9 September 2005. Subjects were schizophrenic cases and their relatives attended at out patient service at 4 district mental hospitals. The questionnaire consists of 2 parts, i.e. demographic data and attitude parts. The attitude part was 14- item likert type. Results showed that there were 203 schizophrenic patients, 242 relatives classified into 59 parents, 30 spouse, 29 siblings and 124 other relatives. Sixty-five percent of patients knew their diagnosis, 40% had primary level education, 53% knew details of the news and 84% never had violent behavior within 1 year past. The attitude could determine into 4 factors such as impact of news on symptoms, confidence of treatment, stigma and daily life activity. The results of attitude were showed and discussed in details. In conclusion, the violent news performed by psychiatric patient had negative impact on schizophrenic patients and their relatives such as relapse and stigma. De-stigma campaign should focus on public education especially medias.