Effect of Token Economy on Self Care Management of Patients with Schizophrenia

The study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Token economy on self care management of patients with Schizophrenia admitted at the Government Mental Health Centre, Kuthiravattom, Kozhikode. A quasi experimental approach with one group pre test post test design was selected for the study. The sample consisted of 30 patients with Schizophrenia admitted in the male and female family therapy wards of Govt. Mental Health Centre, Kuthiravattom, Kozhikode. The subjects were selected based on non probability purposive sampling. The tools used for data collection were Structured interview schedule to collect Socio-personal data and Modified Social-Adaptive Functioning Evaluation Scale to assess the self care management of patients with schizophrenia. Content validity of the tools were done with the help of experts and the reliability was checked by cronbach's alpha. Token economy method was planned and implemented as an intervention. The study was conducted among 30 patients with schizophrenia admitted in the male and female family therapy wards of Govt. Mental Health Centre, Kuthiravattom, Kozhikode. The self care management ability was assessed before and after the Token economy intervention. The data collected were organized and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study were: Patients with Schizophrenia suffered from impairment in self care management, Token economy intervention produced a significant (p<0.001) improvement in the self care management of patents with schizophrenia. From this study, it is clear that Token economy intervention was effective in improving the self care management of patients with Schizophrenia. The findings of the study have implications in nursing practice, education, administration and research. It also justified the growing importance to psychiatric rehabilitation nursing. The study reveals that the implementation of Token economy intervention along with pharmacotherapy will definitely help patients with Schizophrenia and adds to the quality of nursing care provided.