Effects of visual arts therapy based on Watson’s Human Care Model in individuals with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of visual arts group therapy based on Watson’s Human Care Model on perceived social support and functional recovery in individuals with schizophrenia. A randomized controlled design was used. Sixty-seven individuals with schizophrenia who were registered at the community mental health center and met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to two groups. In three separate groups, the intervention group received a 90-minute visual art therapy program based on Watson’s Human Care Model once a week for six weeks. No intervention was provided to the control group. The study data were collected in three stages: pretest, post-test, and follow-up using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Functional Remission of General Schizophrenia Scale. Data were analyzed for 67 participants. The mean scores for perceived social support and functional recovery at post-test and follow-up were statistically significantly higher in the intervention group compared to both the pretest and the control group. The results revealed that nurse-led group art therapy increased perceived social support and functional improvement in individuals with schizophrenia. This may help individuals to adapt to daily life more quickly and integrate into society. The concepts of Watson’s Human Care Model, which is a nursing model, aligned with the art therapy program developed, enhancing the quality of the program. Registration of clinical trial and registration identification number is Clinictrials.gov, NCT05954208.