The Disability Profile of Individuals with Schizophrenia in Bahrain Using the Life Skills Profile 39

Aim: The primary objective of the present study is to describe the disability profile of individuals with schizophrenia in the Psychiatric Hospital Bahrain as measured by the Life Skills Profile 39 (LSP 39). Secondary objective to this research is to compare the disability profile of individuals with schizophrenia in Bahrain with other countries as measured by LSP 39. Method: The LSP 39 was administered to a convenient sample of those individuals with schizophrenia who were admitted to the Psychiatric Hospital, Bahrain during the period 2009-2012. Three registered occupational therapists completed all questionnaires with the patients. Overall, N= 279 participants were considered for the research. Results: N=247 participants with schizophrenia were recruited to the study. Total mean score of LSP 39 for the entire subjects 110.59 (SD= 13.19). Maximum subscales scores were for communication; minimum subscales scores were for social contact. Women generally functioned better than men; differences however were not statistically significant. Bahrain scores were higher than Singapore and India but lower than Australian, American and United Kingdom. Conclusion: Findings suggest the general disability profile of all subjects at inclusion showed that a moderate level of functioning is maintained. Gender differences in term of life skills functioning seem to be non-significant. Regional differences in the disability profile of individuals with schizophrenia are influenced by the manner in which health and social services are delivered through a complex network of organizations and people.