Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are severe, chronic illnesses characterized by positive and negative symptoms that result in persistent functional impairment and diminished quality of life (QoL). The QoL of patients with schizophrenia is substantiall...
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are severe, chronic illnesses characterized by positive and negative symptoms that result in persistent functional impairment and diminished quality of life (QoL). The QoL of patients with schizophrenia is substantially lower than that of those with other chronic conditions in the community. Although antipsychotic medications are effective in the treatment of schizophrenia, pharmacological treatment alone has not adequately addressed QoL-related problems. QoL in this population is influenced by multiple psychosocial factors, including insight of psychosis, social support, psychiatric symptoms and functioning, and internalized stigma. Importantly, while insight enhances treatment adherence, it may paradoxically reduce QoL by heightening patients’ awareness of their illness—an effect commonly referred to as the insight paradox. It has also been suggested that internalized stigma may moderate this relationship. Therefore, nursing interventions that take these psychosocial factors into account are needed to improve the QoL of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of insight of psychosis, social support, psychiatric symptoms and functioning, internalized stigma, and QoL in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders; to examine the correlations among these variables; and to identify factors influencing QoL as well as the moderating effect of internalized stigma on the relationship between insight of psychosis and QoL. A total of 127 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who attended the outpatient clinic of the psychiatric department at a general hospital in Seoul from August 2023 to June 2024 were included. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and medical record reviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS 27.0.
The results of this study were as follows. Among the participants, 65 (51.2%) were male, and the mean age was 41.18 years. A total of 100 participants (78.7%) were single, and 22 (22%) reported experiencing financial difficulties. The mean time since diagnosis was 172.01 months, and 100 participants (78.7%) reported experiencing hospitalization. All participants were receiving antipsychotic medication, with a mean antipsychotic dosage of 432.74 mg (chlorpromazine equivalents). The mean scores were as follows: insight of psychosis, 14.28; social support, 64.49; psychiatric symptoms and functioning, 66.24; internalized stigma, 64.19; and QoL, 48.91.
QoL showed significant negative correlations with insight of psychosis, internalized stigma, and psychiatric symptoms and functioning, and a significant positive correlation with social support. Hierarchical multiple regression identified internalized stigma, insight of psychosis, social support, psychiatric symptoms and functioning, and antipsychotic dosage as significant predictors of QoL, with internalized stigma exerting the strongest effect. The moderating effect of internalized stigma on the relationship between insight of psychosis and QoL was not significant.
This study is significant in that it examined multiple psychosocial factors influencing the QoL of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders within a conceptual framework encompassing physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Importantly, it provides empirical evidence for the insight paradox, a phenomenon commonly observed in individuals with schizophrenia. These findings underscore the need for tailored nursing interventions to alleviate negative self perception during treatment and recovery and provide an evidence based foundation for the development of programs designed to enhance the QoL of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.