RESEARCH ARTICLE
Coping with the Crisis: People with Severe Mental Disorders Acting for Social Change Through Sustainable Energy
MG Carta 1, *, F Sancassiani1, ME Lecca1, E Pintus 1, M Pintus1, E Pisano1, S Congiu1, MF Moro1, CM Angermeyer2
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2013Volume: 9
First Page: 214
Last Page: 220
Publisher ID: CPEMH-9-214
DOI: 10.2174/1745017901309010214
Article History:
Received Date: 17/10/2013Revision Received Date: 23/10/2013
Acceptance Date: 23/10/2013
Electronic publication date: 28 /11/2013
Collection year: 2013
open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background:
The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of a vocational training program on renewable energy sources in reducing disabilities of people with chronic psychosis (CP). The innovative element was that the project could produce major advantages regarding the economic needs of the whole area involved.
Methods:
Experimental Cohort, 26 subjects with CP (EC); Control Cohort1, 130 subjects with CP following pharmacotherapy plus other rehabilitation activities (CIC); Control Cohort2, 101 subjects with CP following the usual treatment (pharmacotherapy) (CUC). Study tool: Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). Assessment made at the start of the study (T0) and after three months (T1). Statistical analysis made by MANOVA.
Results:
Improvement in HoNOS total score in both groups (F=7.574, p=0.000) with non-significant differences between groups over time (F=1.336, p=0.252) was found comparing EC vs. CIC. Greater improvement in EC vs. CIC was shown in the HoNOS “impairment" scale (F=4.910, p=0.028). EC vs. CUC: both groups improved in HoNOS total score (F=9.440, p=0.000) but the improvement was greater in EC (F = 2.273, P=0.048).
Conclusions:
Work inclusion, as well as other rehabilitation treatments, reduces the social needs of people with chronic psychosis. Work inclusion in a project with real relevance for the area where these people live, produces more improvement of cognitive, physical and somatic disabilities, probably related to a better outcome in self-efficacy.
