Basic functioning and resilience in families of adolescents with intellectual disability and psychosis: A comparative study

Background: Family functions and resilience (hardiness) are two important aspects of families for keeping them stable. How those two aspects are present and operate in families having adolescents with mental retardation and psychosis is the aim of this study. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 adolescents (comprising 15 intellectually disabled adolescents, 15 adolescents with psychosis [schizophrenia and bipolar disorder], and 15 normal adolescents) and one of the key relatives of each adolescent were selected purposively. One key caregiver of each adolescent in all the three groups was selected, and the McMaster Family Assessment Device and the Family Hardiness Index were applied on them to collect data on family functioning and hardiness. Results: Families of the first two groups have reported problems in family functions. No difference could be seen in the family resilience among these three groups of families. Conclusion: Families with mentally retarded and psychotic adolescents have family problems; however, both the families show resilience against the stress of having mentally retarded or psychotic adolescents.