The Effect of Hope on Functional Recovery in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Study

To determine the effect of hope on functional recovery in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.

This correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of a hospital in eastern Türkiye between June 2022 and January 2023. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Herth Hope Index (HHI), and the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia (FROGS) scale. The study included 136 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Data were analyzed using percentage distributions and mean values, as well as Pearson correlation and regression analyses.

The mean total FROGS score of the patients was found to be 47.25 ± 15.2, while the mean total HHS score was 45.22 ± 22.63. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between the mean scores of all subscales of the FROGS and HHS, as well as between their total scores (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the level of hope in patients with schizophrenia had a 60% effect on functional recovery (F = 203.61; R² = 0.603; p ≤ 0.001).

The findings of this study indicated that patients diagnosed with schizophrenia had moderate levels of hope but low functional recovery scores. Additionally, a significant and positive relationship was observed between hope and functional recovery, demonstrating that hope is an influential factor in enhancing functional recovery. Therefore, it is recommended that interventions aimed at increasing levels of hope be planned and implemented within treatment and rehabilitation programs.