ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the relationships of psychological distress, social support, mental fitness and suicidal idea among patients of chronic schizophrenia using community mental health services. METHODS: This study was conducted in patients who visited the mental health services in Daejeon from October to December 2011. In total, 395 chronic schizophrenic patients were evaluated using Mental Fitness Scale (MFS), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS: Results showed that 37% (n=146) of patients had suicidal ideas and 63% (n=249) of patients did not have suicidal ideas. The group that had suicidal ideas showed significantly lower scores on MFS, K10, and MSPSS than the group with no suicidal ideas (p=0.000). Logistic regression analysis showed a significantly lower score on MFS, K10 for the suicidal ideation group than the group with no suicidal ideas. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that health care providers should consider mental fitness and psychological distress, in order to prevent suicidal idea of schizophrenic patients.