Abstract:
The purposes of this quasi-experimental research using the pretest-posttest design were: 1) to compare the social functioning of schizophrenic patientsin community before and after received the psychoeducation program focusing or skilltraining, and 2) to compare the social functioning of schizophrenic patients in community who received programand those who received regular caring activities. Forty of schizophrenic patientsreceiving services in outpatient department, Patanamikom Hospital, who met the inclusion criteria, were matched pair and then randomly assigned to experimental group and control group, 20 subjects in each group. The experimental group received the psychoeducation program focusing on skilltraining composed of group activities to improve social functioning. Research instruments were: 1) the psychoeducation program focusing on skilltraining , 2) The social functioning scale, and 3) The medication and symptom management scale. All instruments were validated for content validity by 5 professional experts. The Chronbachs Alpha coefficient reliability of the two latter instruments were 0.94 and 0.90 , respectively. The t-test was used in data analysis. Major findings were as follows:
1. The social functioning of schizophrenic patientsin community who received the psychoeducation program focusing on skilltraining was significantly better than that before, at p 0.05 level. 2. The social functioning of schizophrenic patientsin community who received the psychoeducation program focusing on skilltraining was significantly better than those who received regular caring activities at p 0.05 level.