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Cited by 95Schizophrenia research and treatmentMental Health and Patient InvolvementPsychiatric care and mental health services

Effectiveness of a volunteer befriending programme for patients with schizophrenia: randomised controlled trial

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Priebe, Stefan, Chevalier, Agnes, Hamborg, Thomas, Golden, Eoin, King, Michael, Pistrang, Nancy·2020·The British Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1192/bjp.2019.42
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Befriending by volunteers has the potential to reduce the frequent social isolation of patients with schizophrenia and thus improve health outcomes. However, trial-based evidence for its effectiveness is limited. AIMS: To conduct a randomised controlled trial of befriending for patients with schizophrenia or related disorders. METHOD: Patients were randomised to a befriending programme for 1 year or to receive information about social activities only (trial registration: ISRCTN14021839). Outcomes were assessed masked to allocation at the end of the programme; at 12 months and at a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome was daily time spent in activities (using the Time Use Survey (TUS)) with intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were randomised (63 intervention, 61 active control) and 92 (74%) were followed up at 1 year. In the intervention group, 49 (78%) met a volunteer at least once and 31 (49%) had more than 12 meetings. At 1 year, mean TUS scores were more than three times higher in both groups with no significant difference between them (adjusted difference 8.9, 95% CI -40.7 to 58.5, P = 0.72). There were no significant differences in quality of life, symptoms or self-esteem. However, patients in the intervention group had significantly more social contacts than those in the control group at the end of the 12-month period. This difference held true at the follow-up 6 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Although no difference was found on the primary outcome, the findings suggest that befriending may have a lasting effect on increasing social contacts. It may be used more widely to reduce the social isolation of patients with schizophrenia.

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  • The TUS has been used to measure social participation (e.g. places visited and people with whom activities were completed).

    “To date, the TUS has been variously used to measure time spent in structured activities (excluding resting and sleep) as an indicator of overall functioning (50, 52, 53); economic and structured activity participation (55); social participation (e.g. places visited and people with whom activities were completed) (56); and time use as an indicator of social recovery (54).”

    From Contributions of a time use perspective in community mental health practice: a scoping review (2024) · cites this paper as [56]

    The Outcomes section (page unavailable) says an adapted TUS measured time spent engaging in activities, which supports its use for an activity-related outcome. It does not say the TUS measured places visited or who participated in activities; the number of people met was assessed separately with the Social Contacts Assessment. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In two studies, cut-off scores for social disability (≤30 hours per week in structured activities) and isolation (< 1 hour per day in recreational or social activities) were applied to determine participants' eligibility for the intervention, although neither reported how the cut-off scores were determined.

    “In two studies, cut-off scores for social disability (≤30 hours per week in structured activities) (53) and isolation (< 1 hour per day in recreational or social activities) (56) were applied to determine participants’ eligibility for the intervention, although neither reported how the cut-off scores were determined.”

    From Contributions of a time use perspective in community mental health practice: a scoping review (2024) · cites this paper as [56]

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Kay S, Flszbein A, Opfer L. Positive and negative scale for schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 1987; 13: 463-8.

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Authors
Priebe, S., Chevalier, A., Hamborg, T., Golden, E., King, M., & Pistrang, N.
Affiliations
  • Queen Mary University of London (GB)
  • University College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Priebe, Stefan
ORCID
Venue
The British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Published
2019-03-04
Volume
217
Issue
3
Pages
477-483
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
DOI
10.1192/bjp.2019.42
OpenAlex
W2918506863
Cited by
95
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 4
FWCI
13.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute for Health and Care Research (RP-PG-0611-20002)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
Keywords
befriending, volunteers, schizophrenia, social isolation, social contact, time use, quality of life, self-esteem, social support
MeSH terms
Humans, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Schizophrenia, Social Isolation, Volunteers

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