Specifically, freedom in decision-making is
viewed as an ideal outcome of psychoanalytic approaches,
and cognitive behavioural approaches are based on theprinciple that one can alter their thoughts to enact behavioural
change (Pierre 2014). Given the potentially therapeutic
impacts of increasing free will perceptions, infusing
segments that directly bolster free will perceptions into
existing psychotherapy programs for schizophrenia, a disorder
characterized by loss of agency (Graham et al.
2014), may be particularly beneficial. Furthermore, bolstering
a sense of free will may be exceptionally relevant
for individuals with legal restraints, who may indeed have
limited agency regarding legal matters. In these instances,
focusing on components of an individual’s experience that
they do have control over, despite external demands or
constraints, may serve to improve well-being, however
further work in this area is needed. Finally, given the
potential for environmental influences to shape behaviour,
nurses may serve as important figures in modelling and
promoting free will behaviours during psychiatric hospitalization,
a time when individuals with schizophrenia
may require additional assistance and resources.