Assessment of social disablement among individuals living in therapeutic residential services in a small municipality of Rio de Janeiro state

Abstract Background Knowledge about the extent of social disablement among people with severe mental disorders living in therapeutic residential services is crucial for policy makers and mental health professionals involved in the delivery of community-base care. A cross-sectional study was conducted with people living in therapeutic residential services in the municipality of Carmo, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Objective Evaluate limitations of the social behavior of the interviewees through the Social Behavior Scale (SBS). Method Data were collected between January and February 2017 using the SBS. Results The sample was composed mostly of men from Rio de Janeiro state, with mean age of 60.4 years, illiterate, benefit recipients, with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and a long period of previous hospitalization with no contact with their families. Approximately 96% of them showed at least one social behavior problem, often related to poor self-care, little spontaneous communication (Does the person start a conversation?), slowness, laughing and talking to self, and other problems (any other behavior or attitude not previously specified that seem to be delaying the progress of the person). Conclusion This population presented high frequency of social disablement that may prevent their social reintegration, evidencing the need for implementing social rehabilitation programs.