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Alexa Hutzenbiler, PsyD, is a 2024 graduate of the PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Seattle.

Dissertation Committee

Michael J.Toohey, PhD, ABPP, Committee Chair

Alicia Pardee, PhD, Committee Member

Melissa Kennedy, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

Social Learning Program, serious mental illness, forensic psychiatry, quality of life, interpretative phenomenological analysis, state hospital, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychosocial rehabilitation program, mixed methods

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2023

Abstract

This mixed-methods study explored the quality of life and lived experiences of adult individuals with diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorders residing and receiving treatment on the Social Learning Program (SLP) at Fulton State Hospital, a high-security state forensic facility. Eleven participants completed the WHOQOL-BREF quantitative quality-of-life measure. Ten participants completed in-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews. Interviews were transcribed then analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. The major themes that emerged included “Working the Program,” “Relationship Dynamics with Self and Others,” “Meaning,” “I’ve Been Having Breakthroughs,” and “Areas for Improvement in the Program.” Combined, the findings of the present investigation demonstrate the utility of the SLP and highlight the importance of studying the lived experience and quality of life of individuals with diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorders residing in forensic facilities.

Comments

Alexa Hutzenbiler, PsyD, 2024

ORCID Scholar ID# 0009-0007-5490-9649

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