Conecta-2: Training of social cognition and language, at service of communicative effectiveness. A clinical and interactive experience with people with diagnosis of schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: In this paper, we propose to describe a pilot therapeutic experience with a program developed by the team, which we call CONECTA-2, a training plan for social cognition and communication skills for people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Our objective was to establish whether a theoretical-practical therapeutic clinical device, training in executive functions, processes of social cognition and language, can improve the effectiveness of communication in people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Method: Participants were 10 people between 18 and 24 years old, 7 men and 3 women, diagnosed with schizophrenia for less than three years at the time of the program. A prior and subsequent evaluation of emotional attribution and communicative effectiveness was carried out. 24 group sessions were held, training in executive functions, social cognition and pragmatic-communicative skills. Results: Positive changes were verified both in emotional attribution and in the communicative effectiveness of the participants. Conclusions: The results of this pilot experience present a challenge in terms of developing clinical intervention plans that allow rehabilitating those skills to achieve a better adaptation and social insertion of people with schizophrenia.