Defense Mechanisms and Spousal Burden in Chronic Schizophrenia

Spouses are maximally involved in caring for married schizophrenic patients. Because of the chronicity and severity of this psychiatric illness; the spouses experience considerable burden. Apart from the illness per se; there are other factors such as gender, domicile, coping style, defense mechanisms, socio-economic status which contribute to the burden of care. This study aims at mapping the contribution of defense mechanisms in the experience of burden in spouses of chronic schizophrenic patients. The sample consisted of 120 spouses (60=Male; 60=Female) matched on age groups, domicile and family set up. Burden Assessment Schedule (Thara et al. 1998) and Defense Mechanism Inventory (Mrinal and Mrinal, 1984) were individually administered on each spouse. Independent sample t-test revealed significant group differences in spousal burden, turning against self and reversal defense mechanisms. The results of regression analysis indicated that in male spouses, Turning Against Self; and in female spouses, Projection and Turning Against Self emerged as significant predictors of spousal burden.