Effects of an Interpersonal Communication Skills Training Program on Medication Adherence of Schizophrenic Patients

Intervention : Interpersonal Communication Skills Training Program This program was developed based on DeVito's communication theory and integrated with the positive reinforcement-based interpersonal communication training developed by Thiengwiriyakul et al.(11) The program comprises six sessions: 1) Positive Communication 2) Equal Communication 3) Empathic Communication 4) Supportive Communication 5) Open Communication and 6) Relationship-Building Communication. The intervention was conducted three times per week, 60 minutes per session, over a two-week period.

Usual Care :

Usual care is defined as the provision of standard psychiatric nursing interventions consistent with usual clinical practice.

Inclusion criteria

• Male patients aged 20-59 with an ICD-10 schizophrenia diagnosis(F20.0-F20.9).
• History of psychiatric readmission due to medication non-adherence
• Mild psychiatric symptoms(Thai BPRS score ≤ 36).
• Poor interpersonal communication skills(score ≤ 1.50 on Thiengviriya et al.'s assessment tool
• Low to moderate medication adherence(score ≤ 42 on Uthaiphan & Daengdomyut's scale
• Able to read, write, speak, and without hearing/visual impairments.
• Had a primary caregiver post-discharge.
• Provided informed consent voluntarily.

Exclusion criteria

Patients with other psychiatric comorbidities(e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or substance-induced psychosis)