Development and evaluation of social skills training for schizophrenic patients in remission

Investigated were measures of self-esteem, self-perceived attitudinal dimensions and locus of control to assess the effects of group social skills training for schizophrenic psychiatric inpatients. A pretest, posttest control group design was employed utilizing forty subjects currently in treatment. It was hypothesized that short-term cognitively structured group therapy would realize significant improvement in self-esteem, internal locus of control and assertive attitude change. Significant mean differences between the treatment group's level of self-esteem, perceived assertive behavior and internal locus of control as a result of treatment were realized. Discussion of training methodology, issues and import for clinical applications and research are discussed.