中華心理衛生協會

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that the problem of smoking among schizophrenic patients is much higher than in the normal population. Schizophrenics also have more difficulty with smoking cessation. Many previous quantitative studies investigated smoking problems with schizophrenics; few studies applied qualitative methods to explore schizophrenics' own perceptions of smoking. Purpose: This study explored schizophrenics' experience of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation. Methods: Qualitative techniques were applied using a purposive sampling method, followed by semi-structured interviews. Interviews with 15 schizophrenia patients (73.3% male, mean age: 49.67±5.74) were conducted at a community rehabilitation center. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis of themes. Results: Three themes of cigarette smoking experiences emerged from the analysis: positive perceptions, negative perceptions, and borderline perceptions. We identified 5 themes in the smoking cessation experiences: hard to get over cravings, never had a successful experience with smoking cessation, realized the effectiveness the alternative of smoking cessation, judged the price in payment for smoking and quitting, and found reasons to continue smoking. Conclusions: The results will help mental health workers to understand schizophrenic patients' tobacco issues, and how patients interpret the phenomenon of smoking and quitting. Community rehabilitation can play a positive role in mental health support and offer information to assist patients with the difficulties of quitting smoking.