Effect of self-consistency group intervention for adolescents with schizophrenia: An inpatient randomized controlled trial. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: She, Pan; Zeng, Hongling; Yang, Bingxiang
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 73(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Group therapy -- Schizophrenia -- Adolescent -- Self-consistency and congruence; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.11.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy of structural group therapy on the self-consistency and congruence of inpatient adolescents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Method: Sixty inpatient adolescents with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The intervention group was provided with a 12-session structural group therapy program for six weeks (1 h, two times per week), while the control group participated in a handicraft group. All patients were assessed with the Self-Consistency and Congruence Scale (SCCS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at pretest, posttest, three-month and one-year follow-up. The results were analyzed using t -test and repeated measures ANOVA. Findings: The two groups had no significant difference at the pre-test of outcome measures (p > 0.05). Significant differences existed between the two groups in ego-dystonic, self-flexibility, SCCS scores, positive syndrome, general psychopathology and PANSS scores after the intervention (p < 0.05). At the three-month follow-up, ego-dystonic, self-flexibility and PANSS scores were also found to be significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). But the outcome measures were not significantly different between the two groups at the one-year follow-up. Conclusion: Structural group therapy in a mental health setting had a positive effect on improving self-consistency and congruence, positive symptoms and general psychopathology of inpatient adolescents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.