Against the background of a paradigm shift in the locus of treatment from the hospital to the community, successful housing and re-establishing residential skills therefore are among the main preconditions for the independent living of schizophrenia outpatients. But so far only a few empirically evaluated treatment approaches exist, which specifically focus on improving these skills.

During the last years, we developed a new manualised cognitive-behavioural group therapy program for residential skills (experimental group, EG).

In an international controlled study, the EG was compared to a conventional, unspecific therapy for social skills (control group, CG). EG and CG were conducted in groups consisting of 5-8 patients over a period of 6 month. Assessments were applied before and after therapy and at a 1-year follow-up. Additionally, relapse rates and rehabilitation status were assessed over 5 years after the beginning of therapy. Altogether 54 patients participated in this study (EG: N=26; CG: N=28).

EG patients displayed a significantly higher frequency of change from a high structured in-patient setting to a lower structured outpatient setting and unassisted living compared to CG patients during 5 years of assessment (odds ratio=12.5). Moreover, lower relapse rates, significantly reduced psychopathology and higher treatment motivation of EG patients compared to controls were found. Both treatment groups significantly improved in cognitive and general social functioning.

Due to these results, the newly developed residential skills program could constitute an additional treatment option in the context of multimodal psychiatric rehabilitation.