Assessment of Relationship between Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in Schizophrenic Patients in Refer To Psychiatric Clinics of Educational Hospitals of Tehran

Objective: Quality of life is affected by many factors including stressors and coping strategies. Schizophrenia patients suffer from numerous stresses and have difficulties in coping strategies against life stressors which in turn can influence their quality of life. So it is important that coping strategies in patients with schizophrenia be known. This study has been performed in order to appraise coping strategies in schizophrenia patient and their relationship with quality of life. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive- correlational study 90 schizophrenia patients referring to psychiatry clinics of educational psychiatric hospitals in Tehran during a nine-month period were evaluated with the “World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief Version” and with “The Ways of Coping Questionnaire”. Data was analyzed by Anova, Independent T test, Kruskal Wallis, Man Whitney and chi-square tests. Results: The results showed that most of the participants (42.1%) used the "avoidance” coping strategy. The results also showed that the majority of participants (77.8%) had an average level of quality of life. In addition, the results showed that there was a meaningful relationship between quality of life and coping strategies (P=0.005) such that samples who used the "avoidance” coping strategy, had lower quality of life. Conclusion: There was a meaningful relationship between "quality of life" and "coping strategies". Including teaching of coping skills in the treatment and rehabilitation plan of schizophrenia patients can increase their use of more effective coping strategies and to improve their quality of life.