The effect of psychoeducation based on uncertainty in illness theory on intolerance to uncertainty psychological wellbeing and coping styles in schizophrenia caregivers

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the psychoeducation program based on the Uncertainty in Illness Theory on intolerance to uncertainty, psychological well-being and coping styles of caregivers of schizophrenia patients. Method: This study that randomized controlled single blinded experimental nature, was conducted between April 2019 and August 2020 at psychiatry clinic with hospitalized schizophrenia patients caregivers, total of 54 including 27 interventions and 27 control groups. The data were collected by "Caregiver Information Form, Visual Comparison Scale, Intolerance to Uncertainty Scale, Psychological Well-being Scale, Stress Coping Styles Scale". The Uncertainty Management Psychoeducation Program, consisting of a total of five sessions was applied to the intervention group. No intervention was applied to the caregivers in the control group. Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used for hypotheses. Results: After the uncertainty management psychoeducation program, the uncertainty scores of the caregivers in the intervention group decreased significantly (p=0.001). It was found that the "optimistic approach" scores, one of the sub-dimensions of the caregivers' coping style scale, increased significantly after the intervention (p=0.038), the posttest scores were higher than the control group (p=0.023). It was determined that the "seeking social support approach" scores, one of the sub-dimensions of the caregivers' coping style scale, were higher than the control group (p=0.001). No significant difference was found in the post-intervention caregivers' intolerance to uncertainty, psychological well-being, helpless, submissive and self-confident approach scores according to pre-intervention and control group scores (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Managing Uncertainty Psychoeducation Program was found to be effective in reducing the level of uncertainty of caregivers of schizophrenia patients, increasing their optimistic approach and social support seeking. Key words: caregiver, nursing theory, uncertainty, psychiatric nursing, psychoeducation, schizophrenia