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Process factors in group CBT for negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Author
Quek, Victor Kwee Leong
Supervisor
D'Rozario, Vilma
Kit, Phey Ling
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore process factors that predict positive outcomes in group Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for schizophrenics. Participants were 12 adults with diagnosis of schizophrenia and have negative symptoms according to the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Outcome measures (symptom severity, social functioning) were measured pre- and post-treatment. Treatment consisted of 12 sessions of group CBT and participants were administered the Group Climate Questionnaire-Short Form (GCQ-S) and the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), followed by an individual semi-structured interview post treatment. For the first part, paired-sample t test showed a significant difference for social functioning but separate Wilcoxon signed rank tests did not reveal any significant difference for symptom severity, partially supporting the hypothesis that group CBT is an effective treatment for negative symptoms. For the second part of the study, a three-stage hierarchical multiple regression showed that Engaged subscale of GCQ-S contribute significantly to the changes in social functioning scores but Bond and other subscales of GCQ-S and WAI do not predict changes in social functioning, suggesting that only cohesion predicted positive changes in social functioning. Qualitative methods using thematic analysis with attention on process factors that were helpful indicated that techniques of CBT, cohesion, development of socialising techniques, imparting of information and facilitator factors were helpful in contributing to positive changes in social functioning.
Date Issued
2015
Call Number
RC489.C63 Que
Date Submitted
2015