The efficacy of social skills training in the treatment of schizophrenia

• Published in: European psychiatry 2021-04, Vol.64 (S1), p.S505-S505
• Main Authors: Brando, F., Giordano, G.M., Piegari, G., Palumbo, D., Bucci, P., Mucci, A., Galderisi, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstract; Cognition & reasoning; E-Poster Presentation; psychiatric rehabilitation; Schizophrenia; schizophrénia; Skill development; social cognition; Social skills; social skills training
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1351

IntroductionSocial cognition and skill deficits have been largely documented in subjects with schizophrenia (SCZs), and have a strong influence on the functional outcome of these subjects. Different behavioural interventions have been developed to target and improve social skills in SCZs. For instance, the Social Skills Training (SST) focuses on improving communication skills and assertiveness to facilitate disease management, independent living and real-life functioning of SCZs. SST seems also to have an impact on negative symptoms and social cognition.ObjectivesThe study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SST in improving social cognition and negative symptoms in SCZs.MethodsThe sample included 8 chronic SCZs (age between 18 and 60), who completed 6 months of SST. The intervention consisted of two weekly group sessions of 2 hours each. We assessed psychopathology, neurocognition, real-life functioning, functional capacity and social cognition at baseline and after training. Paired samples t-tests were performed to evaluate the differences of the variables considered after completing the treatment.ResultsSignificant improvements in negative symptoms (p