Theeffect of cognitive behavioral therapy based psychoeducation on internalized stigma and functional recovery in individuals with schizophrenia

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducation on internalized stigma and functional recovery in individuals with schizophrenia. Material and Method: The research was conducted in Elazig Community Mental Health Center (TRSM) between September 2020 and June 2021 as a quasi-trial model with a pre-test post-test control group. The research was completed with 100 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (50 control, 50 experimental) registered in Elazig TRSM. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Internalized Stigma Scale in Mental Illnesses (ISMI), and the Scale of Functional Improvement in Schizophrenia (SHILS). Eight sessions of CBT-based psychoeducation were given to individuals with schizophrenia in the experimental group, and no intervention was applied to individuals with schizophrenia in the control group. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, t-test wasused in the analysis of thedata. Results: The level of internalized stigma (74.40±11.39) of individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the experimental group after CBT-based psychoeducation decreased compared to the level of internalized stigma (80.00±9.46) of individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the control group. It was determined that it increased compared to the level of 38.40±8.48). CBT-based psychoeducation practice created a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) on the levels of internalized stigma and functional improvement of individuals in the experimental group. Conclusion: CBT-based psychoeducation applied to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia; It was determined that it was effective in reducing the level of internalized stigma and increasing the level of functional recovery in these individuals. Keywords: CBT, functional recovery, internalized stigmatization, psychiatric nursing, psychoeducation, schizophrenia.