A trial of two cognitive behavioural methods of treating drug-resistant residual psychotic symptoms in schizophrenic patients. II. Treatment-specific changes in coping and problem-solving skills.

Changes in coping skills and problem-solving skills were examined in two groups of schizophrenic patients. The groups received either coping skills enhancement or problem-solving treatments to reduce their drug-resistant residual psychotic symptoms. The coping skills group showed significant increases both in the number of positive coping strategies used and in their efficacy, whereas the problem-solving group showed a decrease in these measures during treatment. Both groups showed significant improvements in problem-solving skills. Changes in coping but not problem solving were significantly related to decreases in psychotic symptoms during treatment. It was concluded that treatment involving the teaching of coping skills had a specific treatment effect.