OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the efficacy
of social skills training for individuals with schizophrenia who did or did
not have the deficit syndrome. METHOD: Three subjects with the deficit
syndrome and three with nondeficit negative symptoms received 12 weeks of
social skills training. Social skills and negative symptoms were evaluated
before and after training and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Patients with
schizophrenia who did not have the deficit syndrome demonstrated
significantly better social skills and lower negative symptoms both after
training and at follow-up than did those who had the deficit syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenic patients with nondeficit negative symptoms
appear amenable to intensive social skills training, but schizophrenic
patients with the deficit syndrome may have significant deficits in skill
acquisition.
Abstract Teaser