Effects of a coping-orientated group therapy for schizophrenia and schizoaffective patients: a pilot study

Objective: This controlled pilot study was designed, first, to examine the efficacy of two different group therapy formats for schizophrenia and schiz oaffective patients: a patient-centred, psychoeducative and coping-orientat ed group therapy approach and a supportive therapy group. Secondly, it inte nded to establish preliminary hypotheses on the therapeutically relevant fa ctors. Method: In a sample of 32 patients suffering from schizophrenia or a schizo affective disorder the effect sizes of the coping-orientated therapy approa ch and a supportive group therapy on several outcome variables were examine d and the predictive power of different effect variables on outcome was ana lysed. Results: The effect sizes show improvements in the cognizance of the disord er and the related pharmacotherapy, the psychopathology and the social func tioning for both therapy conditions. Moreover, outcome as measured after I year was best predicted by the patient's mastery of active. problem-focused coping strategies. Conclusion: The results corroborate the appropriateness of focusing on aspe cts of coping-behaviour in psychological interventions.