Purpose
A pilot study on the meaning of happiness for young adults with SCZ was conducted to
expand upon the concept of person centered recovery by inviting young adults with SCZ to
identify what happiness meant to them. The purpose of this paper is to review findings from
this study regarding the definition of happiness for young adults, ages 18–35 with SCZ, as
described during the course of 3 sequential one-on-one interviews with thirteen individuals.
First, definitions of recovery and appreciative inquiry provide the framework needed for
understanding how the meaning of happiness for young adults with SCZ may influence
recovery. Following the definitions is a description of study methods along with discussion
of the results. Finally we share implications for psychiatric nursing practice with this
population by exploring the proposed relationship between happiness, quality of life and the
four aspects of recovery along with psychiatric nursing interventions in each area.