The Impact of Education Groups for People with Schizophrenia on Social Functioning and Quality of Life

Education groups for people with schizophrenia have tended to concentrate on compliance with medication. This study examines impact on social behaviour and quality of life. A catchment-wide service was set up for community-based patients. Patients who indicated an interest in education groups were r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry 1996-02, Vol.168 (2), p.199-204
Main Authors: Atkinson, Jacqueline M., Coia, Denise A., Gilmour, W. Harper, Harper, Janice P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Antipsychotics
Community Mental Health Services
Compliance
Education groups
Factors
Female
Humans
Male
Mental disorders
Mental states
Middle Aged
Patient education
Patients
Psychotherapy, Group
Quality of Life
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - rehabilitation
Schizophrenic Psychology
Skill development
Social Behavior
Social functioning
Social networks
Social organization
Socialization
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Summary:Education groups for people with schizophrenia have tended to concentrate on compliance with medication. This study examines impact on social behaviour and quality of life. A catchment-wide service was set up for community-based patients. Patients who indicated an interest in education groups were randomly allocated to either an education group or a waiting list control group. Those who attended groups were compared with the control group. About one-quarter of community-based patients showed interest in attending education groups. Those who attended showed no change in mental state or compliance with medication (already high) but significant gains in quality of life, social functioning and social networks. For patients who choose to attend education groups significant gains in social functioning and quality of life are possible without specific skills training.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.168.2.199