Staff–patient relationships and outcomes in schizophrenia: The role of staff attributions

We investigated associations between staff–patient relationships and outcomes in a randomised controlled trial of motivational interventions for drug and alcohol misuse in schizophrenia. Participants were 204 patients and their care co-ordinators. We assessed relationship status (positive versus neutral) and staff attributions of control using Five Minute Speech Samples collected at baseline. We examined associations between this baseline data and symptoms at 12-months follow-up. We found that dyads with positive relationships at baseline had significantly less symptoms at 12-months compared to those dyads with neutral relationships. As predicted, care co-ordinators with positive relationships were less likely to attribute patients’ problems as being within their control. The findings highlight the potentially important role of positive staff–patient relationships in outcomes. Our findings are also in line with the hypothesis that staff attributions may contribute to the development of more positive relationships.

► Staff–patient relationships were rated as positive or neutral.
► Positive relationships at baseline were associated with less symptoms at follow-up.
► Positive relationships were associated with less perceived control.