Skip Navigation

Schizophrenia Bulletin 2000 26(3):681-698;
© 2000 by Oxford University Press and the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC)
This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kupper, Z.
Right arrow Articles by Hoffmann, H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kupper, Z.
Right arrow Articles by Hoffmann, H.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© Oxford University Press

Course Patterns of Psychosocial Functioning in Schizophrenia Patients Attending a Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Zeno Kupper, Ph.D. and Holger Hoffmann, M.D.
Research and Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer, University Psychiatric Services Bern, Department of Social and Community Psychiatry, University of Bern Switzerland
Senior Lecturer and Associate Medical Director, University Psychiatric Services Bern, Department of Social and Community Psychiatry, University of Bern Switzerland

Send reprint requests to Dr. Z. Kupper, University Psychiatric Services Bern, Dept. of Social and Community Psychiatry, Laupenstrasse 49, P.O. Box 52, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; e-mail: zeno.kupper{at}spk.unibe.ch

Although considerable research has been undertaken on psychosocial treatment and rehabilitation of patients with chronic schizophrenia, few studies have examined individual courses by means of repeated and frequent observation. A more dynamic view of rehabilitation might disclose patterns of response useful for both understanding and treating symptoms and disabilities associated with chronic schizophrenia. In an exploratory study, time series of 35 schizophrenia out-patients participating in a vocational rehabilitation program were examined by a relatively original quantitative approach to the identification of dynamical patterns. By using time series regression on weekly behavioral ratings, dynamical properties of mean, trend, and variability were calculated. Cluster analysis revealed five subgroups of courses: (1) stable at a high level, (2) fluctuating at a middle level, (3) at a middle level, tending toward a slight descent, (4) showing a steep descent, and (5) unstable at a low level of functioning. The subgroups varied at intake in psychopathology; in cognitive dysfunction; and in measures of self-concept, locus of control, and coping. At program end, pronounced differences were found among the subgroups in vocational reintegration. These different dynamical patterns can be understood as typical pathways linking patient characteristics to rehabilitation outcome. A broader use of dynamical designs could substantially clarify the variety of reactions of patients to psychosocial interventions.

Keywords: Psychosocial functioning / longitudinal studies / time factors / subtypes of courses / classification of courses / vocational rehabilitation / response to psychosocial rehabilitation


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.