Most veterans with schizophrenia have a supportive family while a substantial minority want family involved in their psychiatric care, according to a recent study. Veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed an assessment that included questions about demographic and clinical characteristics, status of family support, and preference for family involvement in their psychiatric care. Among the findings:

• Among 801 participants, 496 (61.9%) indicated that they had a family member who provided them with regular support; 304 (39.7%) had no family member who provided support; and 1 did not respond.
• Among the 304 participants without support, 272 (89.4%) had a living family member.
• Of the 496 participants who had a supportive family member, 135 (27.2%) wanted their family member involved in their care.
• Of the 272 participants who did not have a supportive family member but had living family, 57 (21.0%) wanted their family involved.
• Barriers to involvement included concerns about privacy and burden.