Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Visual Arts Group Therapy based on Watson's Human Care Model (VAGT-WHCM) on perceived social support and functional improvement in individuals with schizophrenia.

Design: This research was carried out as a randomized controlled experimental study with a pre-test-post-test and follow-up design, which is one of the quantitative research methods.

Method: The study was carried out in Yenimahalle Community Mental Health Center between December 2022 and January 2023. The sample of the study consisted of 67 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, including the intervention (n=34) and control group (n=33), who met the inclusion criteria and were determined by simple randomization method. VAGT-WHCM was applied to the intervention group, consisting of six sessions, lasting 90 minutes on average, once a week in three groups. The control group participated only in the routine follow-up, treatment and practices in the institution. The intervention and control groups were evaluated with the "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)" and the "Functional Recovery Scale (FRS)" before therapy (pre-test), post-therapy (post-test), and one month later (follow-up). The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) flowcart is used in this study.

Hypothesis:

H1-1: Visual arts group therapy has an effect on perceived social support by individuals with schizophrenia.

H1-2: Visual arts group therapy has an effect on the functional recovery levels of individuals with schizophrenia.

H1-3: The change in the perceived social support level of individuals with schizophrenia before and after visual arts group therapy is associated with the change in functional recovery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to DSM-5 and being diagnosed with schizophrenia
• Being 18 years or older
• Being in remission (reported by the psychiatrist following the patient in the institution)
• Having medium and high level of insight (reported by the psychiatrist following the patient in the institution)
• Ability to read, understand and respond to instructions and data forms used

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a diagnosis of a psychotic mental disorder in addition to the diagnosis of schizophrenia
• Using alcohol or psychoactive substances (reported by the doctor/nurse following the patient in the institution)
• Having a mental illness that makes cooperation impossible, such as mental retardation or dementia
• Having a serious physical illness such as cancer
• Being in an acute psychotic process
• Having visual, auditory, speech (verbal) and upper extremity defects
• Having participated in an art therapy program before
• Continuing any individual therapy or group therapy during the study period