Effects of Narrative Nursing Based on the Body-Mind-Spirit Holistic Health Model on Inpatients with Schizophrenia

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effects of narrative nursing interventions grounded in the Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS) holistic health model on subjective well-being, social functioning, and depressive symptoms among inpatients with schizophrenia. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 119 hospitalized patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 60) or a control group (n = 59). While the control group received routine care, the intervention group received an additional four-week BMS-based narrative nursing program, comprising weekly group sessions (2–3 hours each). Outcome measures included the General Well-Being Schedule, the Social Functioning of Inpatients with Schizophrenia Scale, and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results Following the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in subjective well-being and social functioning scores, alongside a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). Analysis of covariance further indicated that the reduction in HAMD scores was significantly greater in the intervention group compared to controls (F = 42.482, P < 0.001). Effect size analysis using Cohen’s d revealed large effects in favor of the intervention across all outcome domains. Conclusion The BMS-based narrative nursing intervention significantly alleviated depressive symptoms and enhanced both subjective well-being and social functioning in inpatients with schizophrenia. These findings suggest that narrative nursing guided by a holistic in the Body-Mind-Spirit framework holds promising clinical value and warrants broader application in psychiatric rehabilitation.