The impact of auditory hallucinations severity on social skills and depressive symptoms among schizophrenic patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Lecturer, Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that auditory hallucination severity affects social skills and depressive
symptoms among schizophrenic patients in various ways. However, few studies have focused on examining the
relationship between auditory hallucinatory severity, social skills, and depressive symptoms. Aim: explore the impact of
auditory hallucinatory severity on social skills and depressive symptoms among schizophrenic patients. Research
design: A descriptive correlation research design was used in this study. Subjects & Methods: Purposive sample of 151
schizophrenic patients was obtained from Mansoura University hospital psychiatric inpatient wards and outpatient. Data
were collected from patients by using three tools in addition to socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, Beck
depression inventory II, Social skills assessment screening scale, and Phenomenology of hallucinations scale. Results:
There is a positive relation between severity of auditory hallucination, depressive symptoms and social skills deficits
among schizophrenic patients .Conclusion: The results confirmed that auditory hallucination severity has effect on
social skills and depressive symptoms. Recommendations: This work shows that psychiatric nurses should teach
persons with schizophrenia how to employ auditory hallucination management strategies to avoid being engaged in
auditory hallucinations and diminishing social connection with the real world, in order to ameliorate depressive
symptoms.

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