Psychosocial Adjustment in Women with Schizophrenia using the Tamil Version of B-WISE

Obesity due to antipsychotic induced weight gain is a significant problem in patients with schizophrenia. An instrument to evaluate body image and self-esteem (B-WISE) related to weight has recently been developed. To evaluate psychosocial adjustment based on body image and self esteem using B-WISE in Schizophrenia. In a cross-sectional case control design, 82 female patients attending Schizophrenia Research Foundation services were recruited. The translated Tamil version of the B-WISE was administered by two raters independently within a 3 week interval to establish test–retest reliability. Scores on B-WISE categories differed significantly between cases and controls (p = 0.034) but majority reported good psychosocial adjustment. Test restest reliability of the tamil version of the B-WISE was found to be good with kappa value 0.78. B-WISE could be a useful screening instrument to evaluate the psychosocial consequences associated with weight gain in patients with schizophrenia.