The effect of counseling training based on the salutogenesis model on the sense of coherence, recovery and functionality in schizophrenia patients

In this research, the effect of counseling education based on the salutogenesis model on the sense of coherence, recovery, and functionality of schizophrenia patients was aimed to be examined. It is thought that a salutogenesis-based intervention can increase individuals' self-confidence and awareness, help them find the best coping strategies to manage internal and/or external stress factors, and thus enhance their sense of coherence, recovery, and functionality. The study was conducted using an experimental research design of pre-test and post-test with a control group. Ethical approval, institutional permission, and written informed voluntary consent were obtained from individuals. The sample of the study consists of 25 individuals with chronic mental disorders (Experimental Group: 12, Control Group: 13). Counseling education based on the salutogenesis model was provided to the experimental group twice a week for 4 weeks. No intervention was applied to the control group. As data collection instruments, "Patient Demographic Information Form," "Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC)," "Stages of Recovery Instrument (STORI-30)," and "Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia" (FROGS)" were applied to both groups simultaneously before the intervention, after the intervention, and one month later. When the scores of the Sense of Coherence Scale and its dimensions, namely comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, the dimensions of the Stages of Recovery Instrument (moratorium, awareness, preparation, rebuilding, growth), and the pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up scores of the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia were compared viii between the intervention and control groups; while the total score and sub-dimensions' pre-test scores of the Sense of Coherence Scale did not differ between the groups, significant differences in favor of the intervention group were observed in the post-test and one-month follow-up scores. A decrease in moratorium and awareness sub dimension scores of the Stages of Recovery Instrument was observed in the intervention group after the application, followed by a significant increase in the growth sub dimension scores of the Stages of Recovery Scale compared to the control group. Progress was observed from the early stages of recovery to the advanced stages of recovery. Similarly, while the total score of the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia and its sub-dimensions related to Health and Treatment, Social Functioning, and Daily Life Skills did not differ between the groups' pre-test scores, a significant increase was observed in the post-test and one-month follow-up scores compared to the control group. In line with these results, it can be concluded that schizophrenia patients who received Counseling Education based on the Salutogenesis Model showed an increase in their sense of coherence, recovery, and functionality.