The effect of self-management and subjective recovery on social functioning in people with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study based on a community mental health centre

Background: Schizophrenia is a mental illness that can affect an individual’s social functioning in various ways. Aims: This study aimed to determine the self-management and subjective recovery levels of individuals with schizophrenia and to examine the effects of these variables on their level of social functioning. Methods: The study was conducted on individuals with schizophrenia who were followed up at a community mental health centre. Data were collected using the ‘Chronic Illness Self-Management Scale’, ‘Social Functionality Assessment Scale’ and ‘Subjective Recovery Assessment Scale’. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and a stepwise multiple regression model were used. Results: The subjective recovery of the participants was 52.56 ( SD 19.95), social functioning 39.18 ( SD 7.76), self-stigmatisation 2.49 ( SD 0.93), coping with stigmatisation 2.95 ( SD 0.70), health care effectiveness 3.22 ( SD 0.93), and adherence to treatment 3.90 ( SD 0.93). According to the Pearson correlation test, a statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between self-management, subjective recovery and social functioning ( r = .595 and .525, p ⩽ .001). Subjective recovery, self-stigmatisation, and healthcare effectiveness levels explained 44.7% of the total variance in social functioning. Conclusion: In this study, the most important predictors of social functioning were subjective recovery, self-stigmatisation, and health care effectiveness self-management. To improve social functioning in schizophrenia, the development of self-management strategies that increase subjective recovery and promote social integration is recommended.