Meta-analysis of the effect of psychosocial skills training on the quality of life of people with schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to synthesize the studies examining the effects of psychosocial skills training (PSST) on the quality of life of people with schizophrenia using a meta-analysis. DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. FINDINGS: PSST was found to have a moderate effect on the overall score of quality of life of individuals with schizophrenia, a moderate effect on the psychological dimension, and a low effect on the physical dimension. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It can be said that psychosocial skills training is an effective intervention that can be used to improve the quality of life of people with schizophrenia.

An evaluation of a psychoeducation programme for emotion identification and expression in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The inability of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia to recognize facial expressions is an important issue that has an impact on social functioning. This study was conducted to determine the effects of a psychoeducation programme for emotion identification and expression in those diagnosed with schizophrenia on their ability to identify and discriminate between emotions and social functionality. This quasi-experimental study (pretest-post-test, with control group) comprised an intervention (21) and a control (21) group conducted with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. A 10-week psychoeducation programme was offered to the intervention group. Measuring instruments were administered to the groups before the intervention, after the intervention, and 3 months after that. The measuring instruments consisted of a personal information form, the Facial Emotion Identification Test, Facial Emotion Discrimination Test, and Personal and Social Performance Scale. The data were analysed using the 'two-way repeated measures analysis of variance'. The TREND method was used for reporting. In the first measurements taken after the psychoeducation programme, a significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of their 'Facial Emotion Identification Test' and 'Personal and Social Performance Scale' mean scores. In the measurements taken 3 months after the psychoeducation programme, this difference had disappeared. The psychoeducation programme is an effective programme that makes recognition of facially expressed emotions possible and increases the social functioning of patients.

Study of validity, reliability in accordance with Turkey conditions in ego functions assessment scale.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to conduct a reliability and validity study of the Ego Function Assessment (EFA) scale. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was conducted with a total of 426 participants, which included 213 patients with schizophrenia and a control group of 213 normal individuals. The Individual Information Form, EFA Scale, Wonderlic Personnel Test, Adjective Check List, and Symptom Check List were used for data collection. FINDING: All the statistical procedures performed in the validity and reliability stages of the study show that the scale is a valid, reliable measurement tool for the Turkish culture. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In psychiatric nursing, the use of the EFA scale can be recommended for planning individual patient care, which involves the assessment of a patient's functional adjustment on the basis of their own ego profile.

Development and Assessment of a Coping Scale for Infertile Women in Turkey.

Infertile women feel more psychological stress and pressure than their husbands, and the prevalence of anxiety and depression among them are higher. This study aimed to develop a culture-specific measurement tool to identify the strategies of infertile women in dealing with infertility-related problems. This was a scale development study. This study was carried out in three different fertility centers in the three largest cities in Turkey. The data were collected using personal information form and through the application of a Coping Scale for Infertile Women (CSIW) protocol. Ways of Coping with Stress Inventory. Cronbach's alpha, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Spearman's Rank correlation analyses were used to determine the reliability of the scale. The results of explanatory factor analysis and a factor structure of the Coping Scale for Infertile Women, comprising 50 items, were examined, and the data were determined to be suitable to perform factor analysis. The internal consistency of the scale was found to be 0.880. The number of factors in the scale was 10, and the internal consistency of the factors was 0.720. The results showed that the CSIW had good reliability and validity.

Psychosocial Problems and Coping Strategies among Turkish Women with Infertility.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to determine the factors affecting the psychosocial problems of infertile Turkish women and to identify their coping strategies. METHODS: This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. We conducted in-depth interviews to examine the psychosocial problems faced by infertile Turkish women. The participants were selected in two stages. In the first stage, 118 women diagnosed with primary infertility completed a personal information form and the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI). In the second stage, in-depth interviews (lasting 45-90 minutes) were conducted with 24 (age 20 to 41 years) infertile women randomly selected from the groups formed according to their FPI global stress levels determined in Stage 1. Content analysis was used to examine the qualitative data. RESULTS: The results comprised nine main themes regarding the psychosocial problems encountered by women and the methods used to overcome these problems. These included the meaning attributed to being childless, negative self-concept, perceived social pressure, perceived social support, psychological symptoms, social withdrawal and isolation, spiritual coping, cherishing hope/restructuring life, and adopting traditional methods. Social pressure and stigma were common. Infertility was found to negatively affect the participants' self-perception and view of life. The women used spiritual methods for overcoming stress and avoiding society, as well as traditional fertility remedies. CONCLUSIONS: Infertile women suffer from various psychosocial problems because of infertility and they adopt emotion-focused coping methods.

[Social skills training in psychosocial therapy of schizophrenia: a multicenter study for symptom management and medication management modules]. / Sizofreninin ruhsal-toplumsal tedavisinde sosyal beceri egitimi. Belirtilerle basetme ve ilaç tedavisi yaklasiminin türkiye'de cok merkezli bir uygulamasi.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that psychosocial skills training programs increase the efficacy of schizophrenia treatment. The aim of this study was to carry out the Turkish version of two modules of a commonly used program, Social Skills Training (Medication Management and Symptom Management Modules), and to determine its possible benefits. METHOD: The study was carried out at three sites. Fifty schizophrenic patients who were at least literate and who did not have language problems or organic mental diseases, aged 18-60, using antipsychotic agents in a standard dose and in a stable phase were included in the study. Eight training groups were formed. Each group consisted of 5-7 individuals and the study took approximately eight months. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Quality of Life Scale: an instrument for rating the schizophrenic deficit syndrome, the Drug Treatment Compliance Scale and Pre- and Post-Tests of Social Skills Training were applied to the patients before and after the group education The scores of the rating scales were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (76%) patients completed the study. The mean age of the patients was 32 +/- 7, 84% were men, 58% had received less than 11 years, of education 84% had never married, and 97% were living with their families. The mean age of illness onset was 20 +/- 5 years, and the mean duration of the illness was 12 +/- 7 years. At the end of the study, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores (baseline 42.0, after the training 37.1, p<0.02), and the Quality of Life Scale scores (baseline 67.5, after the training 75.3, p<0.01) were significantly changed. The level of knowledge of the patients about the medication and symptoms of schizophrenia increased 20.6%. Drug treatment compliance had also increased by the end of the study. CONCLUSION: The results show that this program contributed to the treatment compliance and treatment efficacy in schizophrenia. Increased treatment efficacy might have played a role in increasing of the quality of life a long with the group milieu. It may be concluded that this social skills training program, which did not encounter any problems in application, may contribute significantly to the treatment of schizophrenia.