Experiences of interpersonal interaction among patients with chronic schizophrenia: A phenomenological study

To explore the subjective interpersonal interaction experiences of patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Descriptive phenomenological, purposive sampling, in-depth one-to-one, and unstructured interviews were used. Colaizzi's method was used to analyze narratives.

Three themes and six subthemes were emerged: Feelings associated with interpersonal interactions (pleasant and unpleasant feelings experienced during interpersonal interactions); interpersonal interaction is a dynamic process (Positive and negative dynamic processes); selection of interaction targets (limitations in the selection of interaction targets and selection criteria for interaction targets).

Professionals should understand the interpersonal interactions experiences of patients with schizophrenia to help them have a better interpersonal relationship.