Factors Influencing Self-Management of Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to (a) understand the influencing factors of self-management in schizophrenia, (b) explore the relationship between social support and self-management, and (c) explore the intermediary role of coping modes between social support and self-management. From May to December 2020, a total of 320 community-dwelling persons with schizophrenia were recruited and completed self-report questionnaires. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the three variables and the bootstrap method was used to test the intermediary hypothesis. Results showed that 21.9% of persons with schizophrenia had low social support, 78.1% had medium social support, and convalescent persons with schizophrenia had high social support. Self-management was positively correlated with social support ( r = 0.372, p < 0.05), confrontation coping mode ( r = 0.576, p < 0.05), and avoidance coping mode ( r = 0.204, p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with resignation coping mode ( r = −0.057, p < 0.05). Confrontation and avoidance coping modes have a mediating effect between social support and self-management. Mental health nurses should understand the influence of social support and coping modes on self-management, and help persons with schizophrenia find social resources, build confidence, and confront the disorder positively. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61 (2), 19–26.]