Development of specific social skills training programmes for schizophrenia patients: results of a multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of three newly developed cognitive social skills training programmes for residential, vocational and recreational functioning (experimental groups) were compared with a traditional social skills training programme (control group) referring to cognitive and social abilities, psychopathology and generalisation effects.


METHODS
One hundred and five patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to ICD-10 criteria were selected and assigned to the different treatment groups, using a matching procedure. The treatment phase lasted 6 months. A follow-up assessment was carried out after 1 year.


RESULTS
Higher global therapy effects were obtained on almost all dependent variables in the experimental groups. Analyses of variance and covariance indicated higher symptom reduction for the experimental groups, but significantly greater improvements in some cognitive variables for the control group. Correlation analysis suggested associations between improvement of social behaviour with symptom reduction and improvements of cognitive skills.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of these favourable effects, the developed cognitive social skills training programmes might facilitate the abilities of schizophrenia patients for their integration in the community.
Roder
V
V
Psychiatric Services, University of Berne, Bolligesstrasse 111, 3000 Berne 60, Switzerland. roder@spk.unibe.ch
Brenner
H D
HD
Müller
D
D
Lächler
M
M
Zorn
P
P
Reisch
T
T
Bösch
J
J
Bridler
R
R
Christen
C
C
Jaspen
E
E
Schmidl
F
F
Schwemmer
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001317:Austria; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D012951:Socialization; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents