Effect of Problem-Solving Skills Training on Positive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts among Patients with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder affecting millions globally, causing delusions, hallucinations, and a high suicide risk, particularly among younger individuals. Problem-solving skills training can reduce suicidal ideation, decrease positive symptoms and enhance quality of life. Purpose: Evaluate the effect of problem solving skills training on positive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among patients with schizophrenia. Design: A Quazi experimental research design (study and control group pre/ posttest) was used to achieve the purpose of the study .Setting: This study was carried out at psychiatric department at Menoufia University Hospital and Meet-khalf Hospital, Shebin Elkom City, Menoufia governorate which is affiliated to General Secretariat of Mental Health in Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of 90 patients with schizophrenia was selected and divided randomly into (study and control group). Instruments: (1) Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) in addition to socio- demographic and clinical questionnaire (2) Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). Results: The intervention significantly reduced positive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in the schizophrenic study group (93.3%) mild positive symptoms and (40%) no suicidal thoughts compared to the control group (73.3%) mild positive symptoms and (17.8%) no suicidal thoughts…). Also, there was a positive correlation between total positive symptoms mean score and total suicidal thoughts mean score after intervention.Conclusion: Training in problem solving skills has a positive effect in reducing positive symptoms and suicidal thoughts among patients with schizophrenia. Recommendations: Problem solving skills training should be incorporated as a treatment modality for schizophrenic patients.