The experience of hope in adults with schizophrenia

This longitudinal study explored the combined effects of psychosocial treatment and clozapine pharmacotherapy on the level of hope in patients with refractory schizophrenia and a history of suicide attempts The Herth Hope index was administered at routine monthly intervals to a sample of 44 adults with schizophrenia, Analysis was done in a subgroup of 14 of the individuals who also had previous suicide attempts. The level of hope was analyzed at three points in time: prior to the initiation psychosocial programming and clozapine therapy (baseline), 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. Results of an analysis of variance (ANOVA)for repeated measures show that levels of hope increased significantly between the baseline and after 12 months of treatment (p<.001). The implications of this study suggest these combined interventions are associated with increased hope, reduced symptoms, decreased suicidality, and enhanced treatment outcomes.