The Development of a Buddhist-Based Mutual Support Program for Schizophrenic Patients with Substance Use

Abstract

          The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the Buddhist-based mutual support program. The participants consisted of 2 groups: 1) 4 nurses, 1 Buddhist expert monk, 4 caregivers, and 2) 40 schizophrenic patients. Research instruments included a guideline for focus group, in-depth interview guideline, the Thai Personal and Social Performance (Thai-PSP), and Well-being Scale. There were 5 phases: 1) identifying
problems and needs, 2) developing the Buddhist-based mutual support program of schizophrenic patient with substance use, 3) trying out and evaluating the program, 4) revising the program and 5) evaluating the effectiveness of the program. Content analysis, percentage, mean, and t-test were used in data analysis.
          Major findings were follows:
          1) The Buddhist-based mutual support program of schizophrenic patient with substance use consisted of 6 phases: Relationship enhancement phase, self-care enhancement phase, Buddhist-based emotional management phase, communication skills training and social engagement phase, problem solving and quitting substance skills training phase, and using Buddhist principle in enhancing well-being phase. The item objective congruence (IOC) coefficient was 0.77.
          2) For the effectiveness, it was found that the social functioning and well-being of schizophrenic patients with substance use after attending the Buddhist-based mutual support program was significantly higher than those of persons under the usual care at the
0.05. Nurses’ satisfaction with using program was in very good level (M = 3.34, SD = 0.30).

          The study showed that the developed program should be used to improve social functioning and well-being of schizophrenic patient with substance use.