Inducing assertive behavior in chronic schizophrenics: A comparison of socioenvironmental, desensitization, and relaxation therapies.

Assigned 63 20-67 yr. old male schizophrenics to 3 treatment conditions: socioenvironmental treatment, systematic desensitization, or relaxation training. It was predicted that socioenvironmental treatment would be more effective with older male schizophrenics (over 45 yr. of age) and systematic desensitization and relaxation training with younger male schizophrenics in generating assertive behavior. It was further anticipated that systematic desensitization and relaxation training would be generally superior in reducing anxiety. Results confirm the expectancy for older patients with respect to socioenvironmental treatment and assertive behavior. There were no other differential treatment effects, although all conditions did generate a decrease in anxiety. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)