title: Persons with psychosis as active agents interacting with their disorder.
abstract: The current study focuses on the various strategies employed by individuals coping with psychiatric disorders. Data was gathered as part of the Yale Longitudinal Study; participants were 43 males and females--men and women with psychotic symptoms who were diagnosed with either schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or major affective disorder with psychotic features. Participants were first assessed during hospitalization and completed bi-monthly follow-up interviews over the course of a year. Using qualitative research methods, each participant was interviewed using a semistructured interview that assessed the course of the disorder and change processes, focusing on each person's experiences of coping with a mental illness. In employing qualitative research methods the data obtained was distinctive in that it was suggested by the participants themselves, rather than being limited to predetermined categories. Results revealed a number of common coping strategies employed by individuals with a mental illness. These included: regulating activity, involvement and external stimuli; controlling symptoms; determination and hope; and the instigation of a change in attitude. The implications of these results are discussed for further research and for developing more effective treatment interventions for people with psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. Roedavid@mail.biu.ac.il
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roe
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rudnick
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology