The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of the empathy training program on empathic ability,
self-esteem and interpersonal relationship of schizophrenic patients. To achieve this the empathy training
program was re-adapted to be suitable for the schizophrenic patients largely based on the Carkhuff's
Didactic-Experiential Training Model and Egan's Interpersonal Living Laboratory. The participants of this
study were 16 Schizophrenic patients who were hospitalized in the closed ward of the mental hospital. They
were randomly assigned to one of the two groups, 8 to the experimental group and 8 to the no-treatment
control group. The program for experimental group was conducted a total of 12 times, twice a week, about
ninety minutes. To verify the effects of this program, pre-tests and post-tests were carried out. These tests
were carried out with 3 scales measuring Empathic Ability, Self-Esteem and Relationship Change. The
results of the study were as follows:
1. The score of empathic ability in experimental group was higher than that of the control group, but there
was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
2. There was little changed on score of self-esteem in experimental group.
3. The score of interpersonal relationship in experimental group was higher than that of the control group,
but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
As seen in the above, the empathy training program on empathic ability, self-esteem and interpersonal
relationship of schizophrenic patients were not proven to be effective. But the score of empathic ability in
experimental group was improved in post-tests than pre-tests. The meaning and the limitations of these
result of study, and the suggestion of the future study were discussed