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International Journal of Social Psychiatry
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What Does Recovery From Schizophrenia Mean? Perceptions of Long-Term Patients

Roger M.K. Ng

Department of Psychiatry, Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong, ngmk{at}ha.org.hk

Veronica Pearson

Department of Social Work and Administration, University of Hong Kong

May Lam

Department of Psychiatry, Taipo Hospital, Hong Kong

C.W. Law

Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong

Cindy P.Y. Chiu

Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong

Eric Y.H. Chen

Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong

Background: The study investigated the meaning of recovery to eight people with chronic schizophrenia.

Method: A qualitative methodology was used based on a 3-hour focus group. The material was transcribed and analysed into 18 subcategories and 4 categories; namely recovery as a multi-dimensional construct, the relationship of medication to recovery, a sense of hopelessness and helplessness about recovery, factors that promoted recovery.

Discussion: Respondents believed that full recovery could not be said to have been achieved until they stopped medication and had a steady job. The support and care of family and friends were also vital, although sometimes problematic. Independent living has a different meaning in Chinese culture.

Conclusions: Further research directions are suggested as well as ways to change attitudes to the inclusion of medication in recovery.

Key Words: cultural differences • long term • recovery • schizophrenia

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54, No. 2, 118-130 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764007084600
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?