Psychosocial treatment in group format with people diagnosed with schizophrenia: results and limitations of empirical research

Psychosocial treatment in group format with people diagnosed with schizophrenia has been applied for decades. Meta-analyses and reviews support the clinical impression that psychosocial treatment in group format is effective. The most investigated forms of group treatment are social skills groups, psycho-educational groups with patients and families, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. Psychodynamic approaches and traditional verbal therapies in group settings are frequently applied but have not been sufficiently investigated to date. In this article, the main results of outcome research on psychosocial treatment in group format with people diagnosed with schizophrenia are summarized and critically discussed with respect to methodological shortcomings. The need for more research on psychodynamic approaches and group processes is also emphasized. Psychosocial treatment in group format with people diagnosed with schizophrenia has been applied for decades. Meta-analyses and reviews support the clinical impression that psychosocial treatment in group format is effective. The most investigated forms of group treatment are social skills groups, psycho-educational groups with patients and families, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. Psychodynamic approaches and traditional verbal therapies in group settings are frequently applied but have not been sufficiently investigated to date. In this article, the main results of outcome research on psychosocial treatment in group format with people diagnosed with schizophrenia are summarized and critically discussed with respect to methodological shortcomings. The need for more research on psychodynamic approaches and group processes is also emphasized.