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Coping Strategies of Schizophrenic Patients and their Relationship to Outcome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Peter W. H. Lee*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
F. Lieh-Mak
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
K. K. Yu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
J. A. Spinks
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Hong Kong
*
Correspondence

Abstract

The experience and perception of effective sources of help of 101 schizophrenic patients were studied. A combination of professional help, social support, and self-coping efforts was listed as helpful. The more experiences patients had with the various sources of help, the better were their outcomes. Premorbid adjustment, exposure to the magnitude and nature of helpful sources, as well as the patients' own ability and motivation to make use of available helpful sources were thought to be important mediating variables for a better outcome. Apart from psychotropic medications, over half of the patients were not using any one of the sources of help mentioned. It remains an important research question whether or not schizophrenic patients may benefit from direct coaching in self-help skills in conjunction with making optimal use of professional and environmental supports.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1993 

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