DOI: 10.1177/10398562261476921 ISSN: 1039-8562

Institutional and home living status in schizophrenia: Associations with functioning, childhood trauma, and symptom severity

Alper Mert, Selim Çiftçioğlu, Esra Soylu, Zinar Çiftçi, Mehmet Furkan Soylu
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Introduction

Residential status has been associated with clinical and functional outcomes in schizophrenia, yet its interaction with childhood trauma (CT) remains unclear. We examined the associations between residential status, CT, and clinical outcomes in schizophrenia.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study conducted in Türkiye, clinically stable patients with schizophrenia ( n = 68) were included, comprising 34 institutionalized and 34 home living. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), and Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) were administered. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multivariable regression models were conducted.

Results

Institutionalized patients exhibited poorer functioning and higher PANSS scores (all p < 0.05). Notably, suicide risk was higher in home living patients ( p = 0.014), despite similar depressive symptoms across groups. CT severity did not differ by residential status. Regression models revealed that residential status was an independent predictor for both functioning and suicide risk, while CT severity independently predicted overall symptom severity.

Conclusion

Residential status plays a divergent role in schizophrenia, where home living is linked to higher suicide risk and institutional care to functional decline. CT appears to represent a background risk factor influencing clinical severity.

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