Background: Evidence suggests that the schizophrenia spectrum disorders are
associated with lower self-concept clarity (SCC), compared to healthy controls. The
aim of the current study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between
SCC and hope and function respectively in people with schizophrenia, using an
integrated mixed methods design.
Methods: The study consisted of 130 anonymous participants, who completed the
survey consisting of Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), Self-Concept
Clarity Scale (SCCS), and Schizophrenia Hope Scale (SHS-9). Participants had the
option to provide additional comments to each scale and the survey also consisted of
two optional open-ended questions.
Results: Quantitative results showed that SCC was a significant predictor of both
hope and occupational and social functioning in people with schizophrenia.
Qualitative findings suggested that acknowledging and accepting limitations and
possibilities facilitated hope for the future, and everyday functioning. Contributing to
society and helping others also appeared to interact positively with hope and level of
functioning, whereas relational difficulties and experience of alienation was
associated with lower levels of hope and more impairment in social and occupational
functioning.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that people with schizophrenia experience
differing degrees of SCC, which is associated with, and appears to impact, degree of
hope and experienced functional impairment.