The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on quality of life in schizophrenic patients

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master of clinical psychology, student is counseling unit, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of in Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon branch.

3 PhD in clinical psychology, Assistant professor of Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS). Center of Excellence in psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Tehran, Iran.

4 MD, Ph.D, Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran.

5 MSc in Clinical Psychology, Abadan School of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

6 Research center for social Determinants of Health, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.

Abstract

Background and aims: Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been known as an effective psyco-educational method for improving the quality of life and reducing mental health disorders among patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in quality of life in schizophrenic   patients.
Materials and Methods: The population of this quasi-experimental study with the control group included all patients afflicted with chronic schizophrenia who were residual in Karaj care centers in 1394.Among these centers two were randomly selected. Then, among patients who met inclusion criteria, thirty were randomly selected and replaced in two groups; fifteen in experimental group and fifteen in control group. The experimental group received 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral intervention but control group remained on the waiting list. Both groups completed Wisconsin Quality of Life Index (W-QLI), Client Questionnaire, at baseline and follow-up. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and by SPSS- 22.
Results: The findings suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy does not affect the quality of life in schizophrenic patients (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is ineffective in improving the quality of life in schizophrenic patients.

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