Effectiveness of the self-efficacy modification program for Thai alcoholic inpatients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: In response to the evident limitations of conventional treatment approaches and the consequent recurrence of alcoholic people admitted with schizophrenia behavior leading to re-hospitalization, a program was instituted at a psychiatric hospital in Thailand. This program aimed to modify alcohol consumption behavior patients undergoing inpatient treatment by incorporating the principles of Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory. METHOD: In this two-group quasi-experimental study, the impact of the Self-efficacy modification program was investigated among alcoholic people admitted with schizophrenia. This study involved two sample groups: an intervention and a control group, each consisting of 32 participants. The intervention group underwent a 5-week intervention featuring 14 group therapy activities, where the control group received a usual treatment. Data analysis employed descriptive statistical methods and involved comprehensive questionnaire data collection across four dimensions i.e. Stages of change readiness and treatment eagerness scale (Socrates-8 A), Severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire (SADQ), Alcohol abstinence self-efficacy scale (AASE), Brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS). Data were analyzed using independent and paired samples t-tests, with a significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: The paired t-tests conducted on changes in Socrates 8 A and AASE scores before and after the intervention program demonstrated a significant increase in scores, coupled with a decrease in BPRS scores, with all findings indicating a statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This modification program could serve as an alternative intervention for alcoholic people admitted with schizophrenia. Policymakers should support training initiatives to equip mental health professionals with the skills needed to enhance self-efficacy in alcoholic patients with schizophrenia.