Effectiveness of Social Skills Training on Quality of Life and Functional Performance in Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

The study aims to determine the effectiveness of social skills coaching on quality of life and functional performance in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was chosen and sixty participants (N=60) aged 18 to 55 years were recruited using a convenience sampling approach. The participants were divided into two groups viz. experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30). Participants in the experimental group received social skills coaching for eight weeks, while participants in the control group received traditional occupational therapy interventions. Two outcome measures, consisting of the Canadian Activity Performance Index (COPM) and a 36-item short survey (SF-36), were used to measure quality of life and functional performance. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores of the COPM and SF-36 survey in both the experimental and control groups. In addition, the quality of life and functional performance of the patients in the experimental group improved significantly compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: In schizophrenia patients, a social skills training intervention was more successful in improving quality of life and functional performance. Through social skills training exercises, participants' engagement increased, they showed more enthusiasm in completing their everyday tasks, and their role identity and integration into the community also improved.