Effectiveness of Social Skills Training Program on Social Functioning and Severity of Symptoms Among Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Abstract:This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of socials kills training program on social functioning and severity of symptoms among newly admitted schizophrenic Patients. Quasi-experimental design (pre-posttest-groups) was utilized in this study. The present study was conducted at Al-Abbassia hospital for mental health. Purposive random sample consisted of 40 schizophrenic patients which were selected from six inpatient wards of newly admitted patients. Three tools were used to collect the data for the current study, Personal and medical data sheet, social functioning questionnaire and positive & negative symptoms scale (PANSS). A constructed social skills training Program was designed to help patients to develop and promote necessary skills for effective communication and interaction with others that needed for improved his/her functioning and independent living. This program was implemented over 15 sessions, three sessions per week and each session lasted about 60-90 minutes. Pre, and post assessment were carried out for the same group (self-control group). The current study results revealed that, overall significant effects of social skills training program regarding improving patients' social functioning and decreasing severity of symptoms. There was statistically significant difference between pre, and post assessment regarding dependent variables. A statistically significant positive correlation were detected between dependent variables and patients' related variables such as age, compliance with medication, with whom the patient stays, and numbers of previous hospital admissions. So, the study concluded that, the social skills training program was effective with newly admitted schizophrenics' patients concerning enhancing patients, social functioning and reducing severity of symptoms. The study recommended that, social skill training program should be integrated as an intervention in conjunction with pharmacological therapy without contraindications and it can maximize the effect.

The effect of assertiveness training in schizophrenic patients on functional remission and assertiveness level

“…8,9,25,26 In accordance with the literature, the functioning levels of schizophrenia patients are low. 10,13,31,38,39 Similarly, functioning levels of patients were also found to be lower in this study.…”

“…23,28,29 In the literature, the results obtained from the studies in different patterns and in different groups affecting the social functions of patients with schizophrenia and affecting these variables after psychosocial interventions found increased SF in patients after training. 10,13,15,31,[37][38][39]41 These psychosocial training programs aimed at assertiveness skills have been proven to increase the functionality of patients' which was also observed in the current research. It has been found in this research that there is a difference between the total functional recovery score before and after the assertiveness training of the experimental group, and the functional recovery score of the experimental group after finishing the training was higher than the control group.…”

“…The Turkish validity and reliability study of the 30-item scale was performed by Voltan. 33 The 3, 6,7,8,10,18,20,21,22,25,27,28, and 29th items (13 items) are positive expressions; and the 1,2,4,5,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,23,24,26, and 30th items (17 items) are negative expressions. Expressions are scored from a range of 1 to 6 and the positive expressions are reversed.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9] It has been reported that psychosocial skills training, which is frequently applied in the rehabilitation of schizophrenia patients, increases quality of life, social functioning levels, self-esteem, communication skills, compliance to treatment levels, and insights of the patients; reduces disability, relapse, and repeated hospitalization; and has positive effects on positive and negative symptoms. [10][11][12][13][14][15] It is also reported that social skills training programs increase interpersonal relationships and assertiveness skills in schizophrenia. 14,[16][17][18] Assertiveness is the individualʼs expression of his own feelings, thoughts, and beliefs, his personal rights in a clear and honest manner while paying attention to the feelings and thoughts of others, and respecting their rights.…”

Effect of Social Skills Enhancement Training Program on Negative Symptoms among Patients with Schizophrenia

“…Schizophrenia is characterized by alterations in thinking, perception, affect, and social behavior (3) . It commonly arises in adolescence and young adulthood.…”