Hope, Quality of Life, and Symptom Severity in Individuals with Schizophrenia

This report describes a study exploring the concept of hope in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Fifty-five participants completed the Miller Hope Scale and answered questions regarding hope and schizophrenia. These scores were compared to measures of symptom severity and quality of life on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Lehman Quality of Life Inventory. Significant findings included strong relationships between hope, subjective health, and global quality of life variables. No statistically significant correlation was found between hope and symptom severity. Client hope scores were found to be significantly lower than a sample of mental health workers previously studied. The findings emphasize the importance of the subjective experience of living with schizophrenia.