Abstract
BackgroundAntonovsky’s sense of coherence (SOC) as well as psychoeducational interventions has a convincing impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients suffering from schizophrenia. This study explores the influence of SOC on QOL among participants of a PEFI group (PG) compared to a control group (CG).MethodsIn a quasi-experimental field study 46 schizophrenic outpatients had an option to participate together with their family members the PG (n = 25) or the CG (n = 21). They were assessed amongst others with the Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29). The efficacy of the PG on QOL was compared to the CG within two different SOC levels.ResultsBefore intervention patients with high SOC scores had significant higher levels in GAF and QOL and a trend of lower PANSS scores. The strongest relationship was found between SOC and QOL. Regarding the SOC level after intervention PG participants had higher QOL values than the CG within the last three measurements. The highest benefit due to QOL was observed within PG participants with high SOC scores.ConclusionsThe results of the study suggest that SOC is a good predictive variable for clinical outcomes including QOL. Generally, the influence of the SOC level on QOL was stronger than the effect of PEFI. Hence schizophrenic patients with high SOC scores did benefit most from participating in a PG regarding their QOL. To optimize the effect of PEFI more efforts are needed to enhance the SOC of the participants. Altogether PEFI seems to be an important completion to the standard treatment for schizophrenic outpatients.
Highlights
Antonovsky’s sense of coherence (SOC) as well as psychoeducational interventions has a convincing impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients suffering from schizophrenia
Baseline data The socio demographic data of the sample showed no significant differences between psychoeducational family intervention (PEFI) group (PG) and control group (CG)
By means patients who choose for participation in the PG were rather younger, had a closer relationship to their family members or partners, and had rather a higher level of education as well as a shorter course of disease than patients who choose the CG
Summary
Antonovsky’s sense of coherence (SOC) as well as psychoeducational interventions has a convincing impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients suffering from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is an extreme burden for the affected patients and for their family members and partners [1]. The course of disease and the relapse rates are influenced as well by the frequently burdened familial climate as by the way of communication within the family members [2,3]. International guidelines for schizophrenia recommend family interventions or cognitive behavioral therapy. These interventions should be implemented beside an adequate antipsychotic medication during the post acute and remission state [5]
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