Investigation of the relationship between impulsivity, smoking addiction and burden of caregiver in schizophrenia patients

The frequency of smoking is quite high in schzophrenia patients. Furtermore, it is shown that the total impulsity of smorkers is high, as well. The presence of impulsivity in patients creates a major problem for the patients, the social environment proving care for them and the treatment team. Giving care for a schzophrenia patient causes a number of individual, social and economic difficulties for caregivers. In this study, it is aimed to analyze the relationship between the impulsivity and smoking addiction of schzophrenia patients and the burden of caregivers. This study was conducted on 50 patients between 18-65 ages who had gotten a schzophrenia diagnosis according to DSM-5 standards and healthy 50 caregiver volunteers. The Barratt Impulsivity Test, The Fagerström Nicontine Addiction Test and The Positive-Negative Symptom Test were carried out for schzophrenia patients. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Test and The Beck Depression-Anxiety Test were applied to the caregivers. In addiction to descriptive statistical method for statistical analysis of data, the stutent t test, Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis Test and Sperman Corelation Coeffient were implemented to compare quantitetive data. As the data taken from schzophrenia patients was compared to the data the taken from caregivers, it was found a rise in smoking addiction and impulsivity of schzophrenia patients and burden of caregivers. Likewise, the statistical significant relationship between the smoking addiction and impulsivity of patient and caregiver's burden was identifled. A positive correlation was found between all Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale's subscales an the smoking addintion, impulsivity and caregiver's burden. In this study, significant relationship was encountered between impulsivity and smoking addiction of the patirnt and control groups to reveal the relationship between impulsivity, smoking addiction and caregiver burden clearly. Keywords: Schzophrenia, caregiver burden, smoking, impulsivity.