Mediating effects of empowerment on the relationship between global function and recovery among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study

Background: Functional degradation among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia can negatively influence their recovery. Given the importance of patient empowerment during recovery, the current study aimed to examine the mediating effects of patient empowerment on the relationship between global function and recovery among such patients. Methods: : This cross-sectional study recruited community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia from northern and central Taiwan. Questionnaires with verified reliability and validity were provided and collected on site by trained nurses. The causal steps approach proposed by Baron and Kenny and the Sobel test were utilized to verify the mediation effect. Results: : A total of 373 participants completed the survey. After controlling for factors associated with recovery, empowerment was determined to exert “full mediation” over the effects of global function on patient recovery, with the mediation effect reaching 85.9% and the Sobel test indicating significant mediation. Conclusions: : Although improving the global function of community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia could likely encourage recovery, the present study suggested that offering empowerment-oriented care services may be more effective than global function improvement on recovery among these patients.