Abstract:
The purposes of this quasi-experimental research using the pretest-posttest design were: 1) to compare the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenic patients before and after received the stress management program, and 2) to compare the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenic patients who received stress management program and those who received routine nursing care. Forty of schizophrenic patients receiving in outpatients department, Ramathibodi Hospital, who met the inclusion criteria, were matched pair and assigned to experimental group and control group, 20 subjects in each group. The experimental group received the stress management program composed of 6 group activities to improve relevant skills including relaxation, physical strength, symptoms and medication management, life problem management, and communication. The control group received routine nursing care. Research instruments were: 1) the stress management program, 2) The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and 3) The Stress management skill scale. The instruments were tested for content validity by 5 professional experts. The Chronbachs Alpha coefficient reliability of the two latter instruments was .82 and .78, respectively. The t-test was used in data analysis. Major findings were as follows: 1. The psychotic symptoms of schizophrenic patients who received the stress management program was significantly less than before, at the .05 level. 2. The psychotic symptoms of schizophrenic patients who received the stress management program was significantly less than those who receive routine nursing care, at the .05 level.