The influence of Antonovsky’s sense of coherence on admission and psychosocial functioning

Abstract

Objective  Psychosocial interventions can reduce admission rates and enhance the psychosocial functioning of patients suffering from schizophrenia. This study investigates the influence of Antonovsky’s sense of coherence on psychosocial functioning and admission rate among participants of psychoeducative multi-family groups (PG) compared to a control group (CG). Method  46 schizophrenic outpatients participated in a prospective study. They got treatment as usual in the psychiatric ambulance. Additionally they could choose participation with their relatives in the PG or join the CG. Patients were assessed with the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-29) and the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF). Admission rates (AR) were conducted from the hospitals basic documentation. Results  Before intervention PG and CG had a comparable AR, but the PG had significant lower GAF scores. After intervention the PG had a significant lower AR and higher GAF scores than the CG. In a comparison of subgroups (high vs. low SOC scores) PG participants with low SOC scores could reduce significantly their AR and enhance their GAF scores. Notably, all patients with high SOC scores had the lowest AR within all three measurement points. Conclusion  PG participants, especially those with low SOC scores, had a considerable profit in regards to AR and GAF compared to the CG. After intervention they showed the same AR and GAF scores as patients with high SOC scores. Implications for clinical practice and economic decisions are a pre-selection of patients with low SOC levels for targeted interventions and more therapeutic efforts to enhance the SOC.