Performance of the Italian version of the subjective well-being under neuroleptic (SWN) scale in schizophrenic outpatients.
BACKGROUND
Several studies indicate that subjective experience toward antipsychotic drugs (APs) in schizophrenic patients is a key factor in ensuring a smooth recovery from the illness.


OBJECTIVE
The principal aim of this study was to establish the psychometric performance of the Subjective Well-being Under Neuroleptic (SWN) scale in its Italian version and to assess, through the SWN scale, the subjective experience of stabilized psychotic outpatients in maintenance with APs.


METHODS
The original short version of SWN, consisting of 20 items, was back translated, and a focus group was also conducted to better improve the comprehension of the scale.


RESULTS
The results showed a good performance of the Italian version of the SWN as documented by the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha; 0.85). A satisfactory subjective experience was reported in the sample of schizophrenic outpatients interviewed (SWN mean total score: 84.95, SD: 17.5).


CONCLUSIONS
The performance of the SWN scale in the present study was very similar to that reported by Naber et al. in the original validation study. Large multi-center studies are needed to better establish differences in the subjective experience of schizophrenic patients treated with first- and second-generation APs.
Balestrieri
M
M
Centro InterUniversitario di Neuroscienze Comportamentali, Dipartimento di Patologia e Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, University of Udine.
Giaroli
G
G
Mazzi
M
M
Bellantuono
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003702:Delusions / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents