title: The relationship between problem-focused coping strategies and quality of life in schizophrenic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schizophrenia is a disorder with psychotic symptoms that severely affects personal performance. Assessing problem- focused strategies and quality of life (QoL) in patients with schizophrenia may help the clinicians to use appropriate interventions. This study was conducted to find the relationship between problem-focused coping strategies and quality of life in schizophrenic patients who referred to the clinic of Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-random sampling was used in two stages (quota and convenience sampling). Data were collected through Demographic Questionnaire, 5-point Likert-type scale World Health Organization Quality of Life and Problem-Focused Strategies Standard Questionnaire. Four dimensions of QoL which were assessed among schizophrenic patients were as follows: Physical health, mental health, social relationships and environmental factors. Pearson correlation coefficient and regression were used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest mean score (Mean= 2.7) belonged to environmental factors and the lowest score to social relationships (Mean= 2.55). Overall, there was a significant direct relationship between the QoL and problem-focused coping strategies (p= 0.024, r= 0.319).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Schizophrenic patients who used more problem- focused coping strategies had better QoL. Therefore, it is important to take into account problem- focus coping strategies when treating the patients. The application of this research will be crucial to clinicians and healthcare executives.
authors.affiliation: PhD of Health Services Administration, Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. shandizmoslehi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Shandiz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moslehi
authors.affiliation: International Islamic Azad University of Kish and Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. pezhman.ata54@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pezhman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Atefimanesh
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Aliasghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asgharnejad Farid
keywords: Problem-Focused Strategies; Quality of Life; Schizophrenia