The Effects of a Solution-Focused Approach on Psychosocial Adjustment and Treatment Compliance in Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia

Objective:

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that significantly affects thought, emotion, and behavior, often limiting social functioning, treatment adherence, and integration into daily life. There is an increasing need for person-centered, empowering, and brief intervention models in psychiatric nursing. This study aims to determine the effects of a solution-focused approach (SFA)-based individual intervention on psychosocial adjustment and treatment adherence in individuals with schizophrenia.

Study Design:

This research will use a pretest-posttest randomized controlled experimental design with a control group.

Study Population:

The study will include 60 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, considered clinically stable, and registered at a Community Mental Health Center affiliated with a university hospital in Türkiye. Participants will be randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=30) or a control group (n=30) using computer-assisted randomization.

Intervention:

Experimental Group: Participants will receive individual solution-focused therapy sessions once per week for six consecutive weeks. The sessions will emphasize individual strengths, recall positive coping experiences, support future goal setting, and provide guidance on repeating effective solutions.

Control Group: Participants will receive no additional intervention beyond usual care.

Outcome Measures:

Data will be collected with the following instruments:

Personal Information Form

Psychosocial Adjustment Scale (PSSAS)

Medication Adherence Scale (MARS)

Statistical Analyses:

Planned analyses will include independent samples t-tests, paired t-tests, and ANCOVA.

Inclusion criteria

• Having been diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria,

Being between 18 and 65 years of age,

Being literate and verbally communicative,

Being clinically stable (not exhibiting symptoms of acute psychosis),

Being registered with a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and receiving regular services,

Being cognitively competent enough to participate in individual interviews during the research process,

Being an individual currently receiving psychiatric treatment and taking medication,

Agreeing to participate voluntarily in the study and signing a written informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• those who do not meet the inclusion criteria