Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify mental patients" level through an analysis of relationship between mental factor and human-socialisticcharacteristic by GAF Scale.
Methods: Studies conducted so far on mental disorder were reviewed and, based on such review, realistic measures were suggested in respect of mental health. For this purpose, questionnaires were prepared in line with the conceptual model set forth for the study and distributed to patients hospitalized in psycho-neuro clinics in J-provincial area. Data had been collected from December 1, 2007 to July 30, 2008 in reference to clinical charts and interviews made usually on the day of discharge. SPSS/WIN program was employed to process the collected data by means of such statistical techniques as frequency, percentage, t-test, and ANOVA.
Result: (1) From the analysis into GAF scales by diagnosis, all of factors turned out to have statistical significance. High significance was found for schizophrenia at the scales below 60 but for affective, personality and mental disorders at the scales exceeding 60. (2) The analysis into areas of physical health by GAF scales couldn"t confirm statistical significance for all factors except sleeping state. No disorder was felt at the scale 60 or higher while sleeping but serious level of sleep disturbance seemed to be experienced under 60. Benign symptoms such as auditory and visual hallucinations, ataraxia and insensibility were cited for reasons of sleep interruption by serious mental patients with GAF scales rated below 60. (3) The analysis into social relationship by GAF scales witnessed that support from peers had significant difference. From the analysis, it was found that men tal patients with scales higher than 60 were supported or aided by peers while those with scales below 60 were given least support or aid from their acquaintances. (4) With regard to analysis of GAF scales in the area of environment, it was found that little difficulties were experienced by patients with higher scales than 60 in using means of transportation but those with GAF scales below 60 bore serious hardship when using transportation.
Conclusions:The third preventive measures applied to help mental patients adapt to society shall be planned to meet the requirements of their family members in connection with treatment and nursing of patients in hospitals, as well as admittance into and discharge from them since such measures can be easily and effectively carried out at home thanks to affirmative, receptive and less cost-bearing environment created by family members.
In case of patients with serious mental disorder below 60 of GAF scales (category Ⅲ or below of mental disorder), long-term or frequent hospitalization used to lead their families to an immeasurable extent of economic burden. As a political measure to reduce such heavy burden on the government level, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is expected to fund the budget to alleviate medical expenses of mental disorder who have suffered from mental disorder for longer than 5 years at certain degree of disease as has been done for registration of patients with cancer or incurable disease.
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