CONCLUSION
Our research found that a group process could
effectively reduce the anger expression of patients
with schizophrenia when the process focused on
the structural theme of anger control. Although
anger control was obviously increased, “anger in”
and “anger out” were not significantly changed. In
fact, violent behavior is not completely caused by
the schizophrenic illness itself, but also by personality,
background, environment, habitual thinking
pattern, and problems caused by interpersonal issues,
as with nonschizophrenic subjects (O’Neill,
1995a). The results of our research prove that
anger and violence behavior can potentially be
changed (Novaco, 1975).
Our group program was entirely arranged and
group sessions conducted by the nursing staff, and
the members were very satisfied with the group
leaders. Using an economical group process to
treat mental illness can help patients control anger
and indirectly help them return home and to society
sooner.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Thanks to all staff in day care of the psychiatric department
of Tri-Service General Hospital for their help and support in
enrolling our subjects. Thanks to the colleagues of National
Taiwan University Hospital for their help and support in scheduling
shift arrangements. Thanks to the subjects, whose cooperation
made our data collection and investigation possible