Effect of physical health protection and promotion program on the physical health and quality of life of individuals with severe mental illness

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the opinions and behaviors of individuals with mental illness on physical activity and nutrition behaviors, and to investigate the effect of the educational program including healthy nutrition and physical activity based on Pender's Health Development Model on the physical health, physical activities, healthy lifestyle behaviors and quality of life of the patients. Method: This study was conducted in two stages included descriptive qualitative and quasi-experimental method. In qualitative stage; data were collected by semi-structured in-depth individual interviews with 15 individuals with mental illness. Data were analyzed by content analysis. In the quasi-experimental stage; the study sample consisted of 41 patients with mental illness (intervetion: 21- control: 20). Data were collected with the Introductory Information Form, HLB scale, SF-36 Quality of Life Scale and pedometer. The data were collected pretest, post test, third months and sixth months. Friedman test, man Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results: As a result of qualitative research, four main themes have emerged: the barriers, facilitators, habits and the needs. As a result of the quasi-experimental study, it was found that there was a significant decrease in waist circumference, a significant increase in HLB scale health responsibility, physical activity and nutrition subscale scores and SF-36 Quality of Life physical function and mental summary value subscale scores and there was no significant difference in the number of steps of individuals in the intervention group. There was no significant difference in waist circumference and SF-36 quality of life in the control group, but there was a significant increase only in the spiritual development subscale of the HLB scale. Conclusion: As a result of this study, the education program including walking-focused physical activity and healthy nutrition can positively affect physical health outcomes, healthy lifestyle behaviors and quality of life of individuals with chronic mental illness. Key words: severe mental illness, physical health, quality of life, healthy lifestyle behaviors, psychiatric nursing