Digital Rehabilitation in People with Schizophrenia: A Pre-Post Study on Coping Skills and Caregivers’ Expressed Emotion

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the effectiveness of a digital rehabilitation program in enhancing coping mechanisms in individuals with schizophrenia and reducing expressed emotion among their family members over six months. Methods: 70 participants were selected using purposive sampling method and divided into a treatment group (n=35) and a control group (n=35). The treatment group engaged in a digital rehabilitation program including tele-monitoring, tele- psychiatrist consultations, tele-psychotherapy, family sessions, psychoeducation webinars, cognitive remediation therapy, and social skills training. The control group continued medication without rehabilitation. Coping strategies and family-expressed emotions were assessed using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and the Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale (FEICS). Paired t-tests and independent sample t-tests compared within-group changes and between-group differences. Results: Significant improvements were observed in the treatment group compared to the control group: task-oriented coping increased (p<0.05), emotional-oriented coping decreased (p<0.001), and avoidance-oriented coping decreased (p<0.05). Emotional involvement (p<0.05) and perceived criticism (p<0.01) decreased in the treatment group. Conclusion: The digital rehabilitation program significantly enhanced coping strategies and reduced maladaptive coping in individuals with schizophrenia, offering valuable support for patients and families. Future research should include diverse populations and compare digital and traditional programs to further explore digital mental health interventions.