The role of personal traits on the dignity of individuals living with schizophrenia: a qualitative study.

Background: Schizophrenia significantly detrimentally affects the social functioning of individuals afflicted, particularly in the domains of interpersonal relationships, professional engagements, and personal self-care. These patients are viewed as a group facing discrimination across various aspects of social life, where their personal dignity is accorded lower respect, and they encounter challenges in accessing education, property rights, and the fair administration of justice, ultimately resulting in a breach of their dignity. The individual traits of patients play a vital part in safeguarding or compromising their dignity. This topic remains understudied within the sociocultural framework of Iran.

Methods: This qualitative study was carried out employing conventional content analysis. The collection of data was accomplished through the utilization of semi-structured and in-depth face-to-face interviews, conducted with 16 patients with schizophrenia (good or partial insight), 4 family caregivers, 2 nurses, 3 psychologists, and 1 service worker. The data were analyzed according to Graneheim and Lundman.

Results: The main categories included "Strategies for Problem-Solving" (two subcategories: "Having a cognition-oriented approach", and "Having a problem-oriented approach"), "Patient's level independence and dependence" (two subcategories: "Patient's dependence on others", and "Independent"), "Patient's behavioral dimensions and expectations" (two subcategories: "Respectful behavior", and "Having too many expectations"), and "Patient's clinical status" (two subcategories: "Disease status", and "Level of insight").

Conclusion: This research found that the dignity of individuals with schizophrenia is linked to levels of autonomy and empowerment. Patients acknowledged that attempting to take control of their problems enabled them to preserve their dignity to the greatest extent feasible. Patients attempted to cope with the situation by acquiring new skills and enhancing self-empowerment. Therefore, nurses must be aware of how to provide support to patients with schizophrenia. Implementing counseling programs in medical facilities and community-based health clinics for families supporting individuals with schizophrenia is crucial to assist with patient empowerment and rehabilitation, thus enabling patients to reintegrate into society while preserving their dignity.