Psychosocial approaches in outpatients with schizophrenia

The objective of this study was to determine how psychosocial approaches to people with schizophrenia, in addition to treatment with psychotropic drugs, affect the course of the illness and family interactions. The project included people who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and hospitalized at least once. Twenty-three people completed the study. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF-TR), Family Assessment Device (FAD), Specific Level of Functioning Scale (SLFS) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were applied both at the beginning and at the end of the study. Two study teams visited the participants six times in their homes once per two weeks. At the end of the third month, improvements in social interactions and in family relationships were observed. According to the average score at baseline, BPRS average score was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.02); WHOQOL-BREF, SLFS and MSPSS average scores were found to be significantly higher (respectively p < 0.02, p < 0.0001, p < 0.05). The results of this study show that psychosocial approaches are beneficial especially in social skills and family relationships.