Therapeutic factors in group therapy are a series of action mechanisms that contribute to change in therapeutic processes. They are inherent to group dynamics and interaction, yet are not necessarily associated with a therapist’s intervention. These factors are elemental components of a therapeutic change phenomenon derived from the group matrix. We present five studies that thoroughly evaluate these therapy factors within groups of patients diagnosed with psychosis. All factors are measured with the Yalom Q-sort questionnaire that defines factors based on their value given by the patients. We evaluate and report these value differences between group context, patient diagnosis, and therapeutic orientation. Therapeutic factors act independently of diagnoses, theoretical framework, and classification; they are intrinsic components of unique group dynamics. In general, the factor claimed to be most important in patients with severe mental disorders was the instillation of hope.

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Unfortunately there is controversy regarding the utility of neuropsychological and clinical data as predictors of incapacity. It is still necessary, therefore, to use different capacity instruments to ascertain whether patients have sufficient capacity for a specific task or decision.

IntroductionSevere mental disorders have deficits in different aspects of social cognition, which seem to be more pronounced in patients with schizophrenia compared to those with bipolar disorder. Emotional intelligence, defined as the ability to process, understand and manage emotions, is one of the main components of the sociocognition. Both in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been described changes in emotional intelligence, but only few studies compare both disorders.ObjectivesThe objective of this research is to increase knowledge about the differences between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.AimsTo compare emotional intelligence in patients with schizophrenia versus bipolar patients.MethodsSeventy-five adult patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were evaluate.The assessment protocol consisted of a questionnaire on socio-demographic and clinical-care data, and a battery of assessment scales (BPRS, PANSS, SCID-I-RV, YMRS, HDRS, CGI-S, EEAG, MSCEIT). Among the assessment tools of emotional intelligence, we select MSCEIT as the most validated.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23 version. After the descriptive analysis of the data, we compare the results of the scales.ResultsBoth disorders show a deterioration of emotional intelligence compared to the general population. There were no statistically significant differences in the comparison of emotional intelligence between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.ConclusionSchizophrenia and bipolar disorder have deficits in emotional intelligence, while it is difficult to show differences between them. These changes in emotional intelligence are part of a set of cognitive, social and non-social skills, which are altered in these severe mental disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

IntroductionPeople with schizophrenia show changes in the skills related to emotional intelligence, but little is known about the clinical course of these deficits. Few studies have examined the evolution of emotional intelligence in schizophrenia patients.ObjectiveTo increase knowledge about emotional intelligence deficits in schizophrenia and to study its clinical course and factors related, with particular interest in neurocognitive deficits.AimsTo compare emotional intelligence and other clinical and neurocognitive data in patients with schizophrenia in a different moment of evolution.MethodsTwenty-five patients with schizophrenia for up to 5 years of evolution were compared to 24 patients with schizophrenia for more than 5 years of evolution. The assessment protocol consisted of a questionnaire on socio-demographic and clinical-care data, and a battery of assessment scales, including MSCEIT for emotional intelligence.ResultsBoth groups show a deterioration of emotional intelligence. Schizophrenia patients over 5 years of evolution have worse performance in emotional intelligence test that schizophrenic lower evolution. In the schizophrenia group of up to 5 years of evolution, none variables correlate with emotional intelligence. In the schizophrenia group of more than 5 years of evolution, there were moderate negative correlations with the severity of symptoms and depressive symptoms, and moderate correlation of positive sign with functionality, but none of the neurocognitive assessment scales.ConclusionsThere are arguments for the existence of a progressive deterioration of emotional intelligence in schizophrenia. This deficit in emotional intelligence in schizophrenia appears to be present from the first years of the disease.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.