Sense of coherence in the life experiences of persons with schizophrenia living in the community

The purposes of this study were to clarify the life experiences of persons with schizophrenia living in the community that form their sense of coherence (SOC) and to examine how support for community transition and settlement should be provided, focusing on SOC. Semiconstructive interviews were conducted with six participants. Interview data were qualitatively analyzed for content using a deductive approach. The SOC constructs of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness were used as predefined categories for interpreting participants' descriptions. The meaning of the data was interpreted and coded into concise expressions, using the participants' own words as much as possible. Multiple codes were collected, abstracted, and categorized. Comprehensibility consisted of three categories: uncertain outlook, outlook on the course of illness and symptoms, and feeling of being able to make a living. Manageability consisted of four categories: restructuring of life based on the activities of the facility, searching for ways to cope with illnesses and symptoms, relationships built through trial and error, and regrets and problems related to schoolwork and employment. Meaningfulness consisted of two categories: life unencumbered by schizophrenia and longing for being an "ordinary person" and having an "ordinary life." The participants' narratives included factors that both increased and decreased their comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, and meaningfulness was considered the most important. The participants told us what they gave up and gained because of the onset of schizophrenia. Our findings indicate that support is necessary for people with schizophrenia to find meaning in their current life.