Effectiveness of a group training program for social life skills in the improvement of daily life skills of male patients with schizophrenia

The main goal of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of an interventional program called “social life skills group training” to improve daily life skills of male patients with schizophrenia attending Razzi psychiatric center (Tehran-Iran). To examine the effectiveness of the intervention, a quasi-experimental study including pre-test, post test, and control group was designed. 24 schizophrenic patients were randomly assigned either to experimental (n = 12) or control (n = 12) groups. A check list of daily living skills (ADL) (Karbalaei Ismail, 1996) and a demographic questionnaire were used for data collection. All of data of interest were statistically analyzed by SPSS software version 16. The significance level was set at P = 0/05. The findings indicated enhanced communal life skills in experimental group as compared to the control group after the intervention (P < 0/05). Also, there was a significant difference between these two groups regarding daily life skills (P < 0/05). Study results revealed that a communal skills training program might improve daily life skills in schizophrenic patients. Besides, it is worthy to point out that training social and life skills can enhance communication skills. In conclusion, patients who receive these kinds of treatments are better able to handle problems they may face in the real life than those who do not.