title: Group cognitive behavior therapy or social skills training for individuals with a recent onset of psychosis? Results of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: This study aimed at determining the effectiveness of group cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for recent onset psychosis in comparison with a recognized intervention for individuals with severe mental illness-social skills training. One hundred twenty-nine participants took part in a single-blind randomized controlled trial with repeated measures (baseline, 3 months, and 9 months). Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: group CBT, group social skills training for symptom management, or a wait-list control group. Both interventions were delivered by mental health staff with minimal training. Both treatments resulted in improvements on positive and negative symptoms compared with the wait-list control group, with the CBT group having significant effects over time on overall symptoms, and post-treatment effects on self-esteem, and active coping skills compared with the wait-list control group and lower drop-out rates than the skills training group. Therapist fidelity was adequate for both treatment conditions. Group CBT for psychosis is a promising intervention for individuals with recent onset of psychosis and their mental health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada. tania.lecomte@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lecomte
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leclerc
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corbière
authors.forename: Til
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wykes
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spidel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult