[Quality of life of schizophrenia patients and health related problem solving skills--comparison between the group of patient participated in social skills training and psychoeducation group].

AIM

The aim of this study was to obtain answers to the following questions: 1. Are there differences in the level of knowledge among the patients divided into two groups t. i. social skills training group (SSTG) and psychoeducation group (SG)? 2. Do the differences correlate with the level of subjective quality of life (SQOL)? 3. Does the participation at two groups influence SQOL and whether this correlates with two different methods of running of rehabilitation activities such as social skills training and psychoeducation?

METHOD

The group of 47 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia by DSM-IV were tested. They were divided into two groups: SSTG (24 persons) and SG (23 persons).

RESULTS

The increase of knowledge in coping with schizophrenia symptoms was significant in the whole tested group but it was significantly higher in the training group. The SQOL and the level of knowledge in schizophrenia do not correlate. The level of SQOL decreased after taking part in social skills training.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The participation at any of tested rehabilitation activities causes an increase in the knowledge of coping with the problems resulting from schizophrenia. 2) The level of knowledge in schizophrenia does not directly influence SQOL. The level of SQOL significantly decreased in SSTG. It suggests that clinicians should concentrate on the stage just after the training cycle in order to support the patients by giving positive reinforcement.