Correlation between Positive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts among Patients with Schizophrenia

Ali, Amira M.; Abed, Gehan A.; Elmalky, Maaly E.

doi:10.21608/menj.2024.397708

Correlation between Positive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts among Patients with Schizophrenia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Asistant Lecturer of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt.

² Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing ,Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt.

10.21608/menj.2024.397708

Abstract

Abstract: Schizophrenia's positive symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations, can cause distress, loss of control, depressive feelings, and increased suicide risk. Purpose: Examin the correlation between positive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among patients with schizophrenia. Design: A descriptive correlational designe was utilized. Setting: The study was done in psychiatric department at Menoufia University Hospital and Meet-khalf Hospital, Shebin Elkom City, Menoufia governorate which is affiliated to General Secretariat of Mental Health in Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of 90 patients with schizophrenia who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Instruments(1) Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) in addition to socio- demographic and clinical questionnaire (2) Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). Results: The study revealed that 65.60% showing mild positive symptoms and 34.50% showing moderate positive symptoms with a significant positive correlation between positive symptoms in schizophrenic patients and their suicidal thoughts,. Conclusion: There was positive correlation between positive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among patients with schizophrenia. Recommendation: comprehensive intervention should be established programs to reduce positive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among patients with schizophrenia.

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