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Effects of a coping‐orientated group therapy for schizophrenia and schizoaffective patients: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Andres K.,
Pfammatter M.,
Garst F.,
Teschner C.,
Brenner H. D.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.101004318.x
Subject(s) - schizoaffective disorder , group psychotherapy , psychopathology , coping (psychology) , psychology , clinical psychology , psychological intervention , psychiatry , social support , psychotherapist , psychosis
Andres K, Pfammatter M, Garst F, Teschner C, Brenner HD. Effects of a coping‐orientated group therapy for schizophrenia and schizoaffective patients: a pilot study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 318–322.© Munksgaard 2000. Objective: This controlled pilot study was designed, first, to examine the efficacy of two different group therapy formats for schizophrenia and schizoaffective patients: a patient‐centred, psychoeducative and coping‐orientated group therapy approach and a supportive therapy group. Secondly, it intended to establish preliminary hypotheses on the therapeutically relevant factors. Method: In a sample of 32 patients suffering from schizophrenia or a schizoaffective disorder the effect sizes of the coping‐orientated therapy approach and a supportive group therapy on several outcome variables were examined and the predictive power of different effect variables on outcome was analysed. Results: The effect sizes show improvements in the cognizance of the disorder and the related pharmacotherapy, the psychopathology and the Social functioning for both therapy conditions. Moreover, outcome as measured after 1 year was best predicted by the patient's mastery of active, problem‐focused coping strategies. Conclusion: The results corroborate the appropriateness of focusing on aspects of coping‐behaviour in psychological interventions.