Social skills training for patients with schizophrenia: a controlled clinical trial.

Twenty-eight schizophrenic male patients, diagnosed by the Present State Examination and Catego criteria, and from families high on "expressed emotion," were randomly assigned to either intensive social skills training or holistic health therapy. A multidimensional evaluation was conducted before and after 9 weeks of inpatient treatment and for 24 months in the community. Patients exposed to social skills training evidenced significantly greater acquisition, generalization, and durability of social skills; their social adjustment in the community was rated as better by significant others; and they experienced fewer relapses and rehospitalizations.