Recovery in schizophrenia, hope, self-efficacy, and illness intrusiveness

grantor: University of Toronto'Objectives'. This study explores domains of recovery in schizophrenia (hope, self-efficacy, and illness intrusiveness) and factors which may influence those domains (illness severity, duration of illness, stigma, and social support). Multiple sclerosis is used as a comparison group to determine if the relative importance of the proposed domains of recovery are unique to schizophrenia, or are common to other chronic illnesses. Research questions include: What is the strength of the relationship among the three indicators of recovery? What factors influence the three indicators of recovery? How do the patterns of recovery of individuals with MS differ from individuals with schizophrenia? And how does the individual who has a chronic illness describe his/her recovery? 'Methods'. This study is a cross-sectional design with two comparison groups (n = 70 in each group) using standardized questionnaires for each domain. Concurrent semi-structured interviews with a subset of subjects have been conducted (n = 10 in each group). 'Results'. The domains of hope and self-efficacy are highly correlated in both the schizophrenia and MS populations. There is no correlation between self-efficacy and illness intrusiveness in either group, and the measurement of illness intrusiveness is problematic in the schizophrenia group. Depression, size of the social network, perceived stigma, and schizophrenia symptoms (notably dysphoric and positive) accounted for 41% of the variance in hope in the schizophrenia population. Perceived stigma accounted for 16% of the variance in self-efficacy in the schizophrenia group. Individuals with schizophrenia were less hopeful, had a lower sense of self-efficacy and perceived more stigma than the MS group. 'Conclusions'. This study has been a necessary first step in examining domains of recovery in schizophrenia and potential influences on those domains. It suggests areas that require intervention in order to more fully assist individuals with schizophrenia get on with their lives. Most notably, interventions that nurture hope and foster a sense of self-efficacy must be refined. Furthermore, it is imperative that stigma be addressed at individual and societal levels if recovery is to become a reality instead of a goal for greater numbers of individuals living with schizophrenia.Ph.D