Psychosocial skills training on social functioning and quality of life in the treatment of schizophrenia: a controlled study in Turkey

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the impact of a psychosocial skills training program, consisting of psychoeducation, interpersonal group therapy and family education incorporated into social skills training, as an integrative approach on social functioning and quality of life of patients with schizophrenia, in comparison to standard care for an 8-month period. METHOD: Thirty patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia were included in the study. Patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale ( PANSS), Quality of Life Scale ( QLS), Social Functioning Scale ( SFS), and Global Assessment of Function ( GAF) at baseline. Fifteen patients underwent an 8-month psychosocial skills training group program and another fifteen patients ( waiting list) continued in standard care. Both groups were reassessed and analyzed at the end of the study. RESULTS: Two groups were not statistically different in terms of total PANSS, QLS, SFS, GAF scores, and demographic characteristics at baseline. However, there was a significant improvement in the mean total QLS, SFS, GAF, and even in total PANSS scores ( respectively from 64.46 +/- 19.58 to 89.67 +/- 24.10, P < 0.001, from 93.20 +/- 22.85 to 132.60 +/- 33.85, P < 0.002, from 57.40 +/- 8.78 to 63.86 +/- 7.57, P < 0.012, and from 63.53 +/- 14.48 to 53.33 +/- 15.71, P < 0.029) for those who underwent the PSST program, but there was no statistically significant change for those on standard care at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the 'social functioning' and 'quality of life' benefits of the psychosocial skills training program for patients with schizophrenia. It can be concluded that this comprehensive psychosocial skills training program might be an important contribution to the functioning of the patients.