IMPROVEMENT IN PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT FOR PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS AFTERA 16-WEEK LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION-PROGRAM

The Holden Psychological Screening Inventory, a 36-item screening inve ntory for psychosocial adjustment, was administered pre- and posttreat ment to 31 psychiatric patients enrolled in a 16-week life skills educ ation program. Statistically significant improvements in the Depressio n Symptomatology, Social Symptomatology, and Total scores were obtaine d, but the Psychiatric Symptomatology scale did not improve significan tly. Size of effect was larger for Depression Symptomatology (.52) and Social Symptomatology (.30) than for Psychiatric Symptomatology (.23) . On a 6-point scale all patients rated their overall satisfaction wit h the program on the two most favorable categories, excellent and very good. The results provide support for life skills education programmi ng for psychiatric patients as part of the treatment and recovery proc ess.