Assessment of Living Skills in Schizophrenic Patients by Kohlman Evaluation

Background: The living skills of schizophrenic patients are disrupted due to cognitive, perceptual, sensory-motor, psychological, and psychosocial problems. Therefore, the identification of some aspects of living skills that require medical intervention is essential in these patients. Accordingly, in this study, the living skills of schizophrenic patients were investigated with the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by using the cross-sectional descriptive and analytic approach in which 35 hospitalized and 51 outpatient schizophrenic patients and 35 healthy individuals were compared and the areas of living skills that needed help were determined. Results: According to the Kruskal-Wallis test, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of healthy, hospitalized and outpatients subjects, whereas the difference in the means scores was not significant between the two groups of patients (p=0.693). Schizophrenic patients showed more than 50% requirement for help in the following subscales; appearance, awareness of dangerous household situations, appropriate action for sickness and accidents, obtaining and maintaining a source of income, budgeting their monthly income, and leisure activities. Employment had a direct effect on the living skills of the subjects and the test mean scores of employed people (2.409) was better than unemployed persons (7.083). Conclusion: The living skills of schizophrenic patients are damaged in some areas through the course of the disease and its symptoms. Based on the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills, these people require most help in self-care, safety health, money management, and leisure activities.