Changes in assertiveness over a one-year period among psychiatric day care users with schizophrenia and associated...

Objective: Assertiveness is a communication skill that enables individuals to express themselves with ease while protecting their own rights and respecting those of others. This study aimed to examine changes in assertiveness among psychiatric day care users over a one-year period and to identify associated background factors. Patients and Methods: Two questionnaire surveys based on the Japanese version of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (J-RAS) were conducted among 985 psychiatric day care users with schizophrenia between April 2013 and August 2014. Results: Of the 985 users approached, 298 (30.3%) were enrolled in the study. The mean J-RAS score was -10.2 ± 21.7 in the first survey and -9.1 ± 20.0 in the second survey, with no statistically significant difference observed. Factors associated with J-RAS scores in the second survey included J-RAS scores from the first survey and the purpose of day care use, particularly enjoyment of daily living. These findings suggest that day care support contributed to the maintenance of relatively high assertiveness levels over the one-year period. Conclusions: Psychiatric day care support enabled users to maintain an appropriate level of assertiveness over a one-year period.