Mindfulness-based psychoeducation for schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a qualitative analysis of participants’ experiences

Abstract

Background

Mindfulness-based psychoeducation program (MBPP) has been proposed as a new approach to improve the overall outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, to date, limited studies have examined the participants’ experiences of MBPP for schizophrenia.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) who underwent an 8-week MBPP with respect to their perception of the benefits and unusual challenges of mindfulness training and self-practices.

Method

Twenty-four (n = 24) individuals with SSDs were invited to participate in an 8-week MBPP. A total of eight participants were invited for semi-structured interview one week after the final class of MBPP. The semi-structured interview was conducted in Cantonese and data were transcribed by the first author. Of the eight participants, five participants had unusual experiences and three participants had a positive experience with MBPP. They were included to provide more candid understanding on the constituents of diverse experience towards MBPP. An interview guide was developed to understand the patients' perceptions of MBPP, the challenege in self-practising mindfulness, and the changes in how they coped with their illness during and after taking part in MBPP. Qualitative data from the semi-structured interview were recorded by a research assistant and the transcripts were proof-read by the participants to ensure accuracy. The Software NVivo 12 Pro was used to manage the qualitative data from the semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was adopted to identify the major themes from the qualitative data.

Result

Five themes emerged: developing a state of mindfulness, empowering illness management, learning a new way to regulate emotion, encountering barriers in self-practising mindfulness and preference for bodily mindfulness.

Conclusion

The findings provide comprehensive knowledge and deeper insights into treatment processes of mindfulness psychoeducation as an intervention for schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Impact statement

This study establishes a body of knowledge regarding people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who received mindfulness psychoeducation intervention. The results suggest that patients can develop a new way to regulate emotion and manage their illness through mindfulness psychoeducation. The perceived negative experience of some patients also warrants closer attention in mindfulness practice, especially for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Further research could focus on factors leading to the negative consequences of mindfulness practice and the ways to minimize the negative consequeces.

Keywords:

• mindfulness
• schizophrenia
• psychoeducation
• emotion regulation
• illness management

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the patients who participated in the study, and the cooperative organizations: the Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) of New Life Association of Hong Kong, and the long-stay care homes, which prefer to remain anonymous.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Restriction of data sharing statement

The research team cannot share the data because the right of access is shared between the research team and the community centers. The community centers have expressed concerns about the confidentiality of the identities and data of this sensitive patient population.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.