Effects on Stress, Problem Solving Ability and Quality of Life of as a Stress Management Program for Hospitalized Schizophrenic Patients: Based on the Stress, Appraisal-Coping Model of Lazarus & Folkman

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study was done to evaluate the effects a Stress Management Program (SMP) on stress, problem solving skills, and quality of life for hospitalized patients with Schizophrenia. METHODS: A mixed method design was used a combination of a repeated-measure design with a non-equivalent control group and qualitative data collection. The participants were 40 patients with schizophrenia admitted in three psychiatric hospitals. The experimental group (n=20) received the SMP twice a week for a total of 8 weeks. RESULTS: Study results revealed that the SMP was effective for stress (F=321.02, p<.001), problem solving ability (F=246.28, p<.001), and quality of life (F=63.35,p<.001) for hospitalized persons with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a SMP can be an effective strategy to reduce patients' hospitalization stress, and improve problem solving skills and quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended that mental health nurses use this stress management program in clinical practice to assist adaptation to hospitalization for persons with schizophrenia.