Psychosocial Support as a Predictor of Recovery among Patients Attending Government Hospitals in Oyo State, Nigeria
Oluwo, Olasubomi Toheeb *
Department of Social Work, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Recovery from illness involves physical and emotional dimensions that may be shaped by the psychosocial resources available to patients. The study addressed the need to understand recovery beyond medical treatment alone within government hospital settings. This study examined psychosocial support as a predictor of recovery among patients attending government hospitals in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Methods: A correlational research design was used. The study population comprised 235 inpatients and outpatients attending State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, and Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan. Data were collected using the Psychosocial Support and Recovery of Patients Questionnaire (PSRQ), which had an overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.86. Of the 235 questionnaires administered, 231 were retrieved and found usable, giving a 98.3% response rate. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, and Pearson product-moment correlation, with hypotheses tested at the 0.05 significance level.
Results: Psychosocial support was significantly and positively related to emotional recovery (r = .594, p < .05) and physical recovery (r = .536, p < .05). These findings indicate that higher psychosocial support was associated with better reported recovery outcomes among the participants.
Conclusion: Psychosocial support is an important correlate of patient recovery in the selected government hospitals. Strengthening psychosocial services, supporting appropriate family involvement, establishing patient-support programmes, and improving post-discharge follow-up may help create a more supportive recovery environment.
Keywords: Emotional recovery, government hospitals, patient recovery, physical recovery, psychosocial support, social support