Fear of relapse in schizophrenia: a mixed-methods systematic review

Fears of relapse in people diagnosed with schizophrenia have long been recognised as an impediment to recovery and wellbeing. However, the extent of the empirical basis for the fear of relapse concept is unclear. A systematic review is required to collate available evidence and define future research directions.

A pre-registered systematic search (PROSPERO CRD42020196964) of four databases (PubMED, MEDLINE-Ovid, PsycINFO-Ovid, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted from their inception to 05/04/2021.

We found nine eligible studies. Five were quantitative (4 descriptive and 1 randomised controlled trial), and four were qualitative. The available quantitative evidence suggests that fear of relapse may have concurrent positive relationships with depression (r = 0.72) and suicide ideation (r = 0.48), and negative relationship with self-esteem (r = 0.67). Qualitative synthesis suggests that fear of relapse is a complex phenomenon with behavioural and emotional components which has both direct and indirect effects on wellbeing.

Evidence in this area is limited and research with explicit service user and carer involvement is urgently needed to develop new and/or refine existing measurement tools, and to measure wellbeing rather than psychopathology. Nonetheless, clinicians should be aware that fear of relapse exists and appears to be positively associated with depression and suicide ideation, and negatively associated with self-esteem. Fear of relapse can include fears of losing personal autonomy and/or social/occupational functioning. It appears to impact carers as well as those diagnosed with schizophrenia.