The effectiveness of enhanced WELLFOCUS positive psychotherapy for people with schizophrenia: A randomised controlled trial in halfway houses in Hong Kong

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an enhanced WELLFOCUS Positive Psychotherapy intervention (EWPPT) on the well-being, recovery, and quality of life of people with schizophrenia (PWS) in halfway houses in Hong Kong. Methods: A single-blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted in 10 halfway houses. The participants (N = 111) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (N = 56, 60.7 % female) or a control group (N = 55, 47.3 % female). The intervention group participated in an 18-week group EWPPT in addition to standard care, while the control group received only standard care. A set of validated questionnaires was administered to assess their well-being, recovery, and quality of life at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Semi-structured interviews with 8 participants provided qualitative insights into their experiences. Results: Repeated measures analyses of variance and post-hoc tests revealed significant improvements in well-being (Cohen's d = .47–.48, p_bonf < .01) and recovery (d = .40–.52, p_bonf < .001) over time in the intervention group. Quality of life (d = .32, p_bonf = .043) showed a smaller but significant improvement at the three-month follow-up. The intervention group also reported significantly higher well-being scores at follow-up (d = .41, p_bonf = .024). The qualitative results highlighted personal growth in relationship building, recognition of character strengths, and a renewed sense of self. Conclusions: These findings support the effectiveness of the EWPPT intervention in promoting the well-being and recovery of PWS in halfway houses. Further refinement and long-term studies are recommended to optimise its impact. © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.