Social functioning and the course of early-onset schizophrenia: five-year follow-up of a psychosocial intervention

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia implies severe social impairments. Since the treatment of patients with schizophrenia shifted from long-term hospital admissions to community services, research on social functioning has become increasingly important.

Aims: Follow-up assessment of social functioning in young patients with schizophrenia during a 5-year period after intervention.

Method: During intervention, families were randomised into two conditions: standard intervention and standard plus family intervention.

Results: Although no differential treatment effect with regard to the course of the illness was found, patients from the standard plus family intervention condition stayed for fewer months in institutions for psychiatric patients than patients from the standard intervention condition.

Conclusions: Family intervention has helped parents to support their children, thereby diminishing institutional care.