A qualitative study of group-based life coaching intervention for patients with early psychosis

Abstract

Background: Group-based life coaching intervention is new in mental health service to promote early functional recovery. This study explored the experience of a 10-week group-based life coaching intervention for patients with schizophrenia from the users’ perspective. Method: A qualitative methodology was used based on individual interviews. Four participates referred by the coach were successfully engaged. The materials were taped and transcribed. Result: Seven categories forming four main themes were identified: the usefulness of the coaching intervention; characteristic of goals, subjective feeling during and after the coaching intervention; and perceived changes afterward. Conclusion: Participants were satisfied with the experience through the coaching intervention. They adopted the tactics acquired to cope with the life events and clinical symptoms such as positive and negative psychotic symptoms. Successful attainment of desirable career was their common goals which were facilitated by the sense of achievement continuously encountered during the intervention. Positive changes in both personal and interpersonal level were recorded and thus increased the courage to pursue their ultimate careers. Peer support in group-based intervention enhanced the perseverance towards the pathway to goal attainment. Dependence on the coaches after intervention was observed which was contradictory to one of the aims of life coaching. This study examined the possibility of the implementation of this newly developed intervention in mental healthcare setting in addition to the currently available psychological interventions. Further research directions to improve the utility and explore the domain of recovery are suggested.