A scale of autonomy for patients with schizophrenia – new instrument for clinical assessment of the level of independency: Description and validation

Abstract

Introduction

Today the scales for measurement of functional status and life satisfaction (GAF, PSP, EQ-5D, SQLS) gain more importance in assessing schizophrenic patients. Autonomy of living is to the great extent the basis of patient well-being. Each of these scales has the criteria, testing ability for independent life, but none of it tests autonomy as a separate object.

Objective

Development of a new scale.

Aims

Description and validation of a scale for evaluation of autonomy of living in schizophrenic patients.

Methods

Forty patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD−10 (F 20.хх), 13 males and 27 females, aged 49.8 ± 9, disease duration is 22 ± 8.6 years. New scale and PANSS, CGI-S, NSA, BACS, GAF, PSP was administered.

Results

The scale comprises five points (activity, intentional behavior, range of social interaction, specificity of interaction with the doctor (medical conventionality) and autonomy), and total score. The internal consistency of the scale was high – cronbach's alpha 0.83. The construct validity with GAF and PSP was moderate (R varied from 0.36 to 0.55). The total score of the new scale correlated with the PANSS negative subscale score (R = −0.51), with CGI-S score (R = −0.57), and with the BACS total score (R = −0.57).

Conclusion

The scale of autonomy corresponds to the major psycho-diagnostic requirements: internal consistency, construct and discriminative validities. It can be considered a new instrument for assessing the integrative target of treatment and rehabilitation of patients with schizophrenia.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.