To assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SWN scale, an instrument which evaluates the subjective experience of psychotic patients towards neuroleptic treatment.

A validation study (feasibility, reliability, and validity) was conducted in 20 psychiatric centers. Patients were evaluated with the PANSS, the CGI severity scale and the SWN-20. A re-test was conducted one week after baseline. The study included clinically stabilized outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR criteria) who were on treatment as usual. The SWN used in this study consists of 20 questions answered on a 6-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 20 to 120 points (higher scores indicating better well-being). The original version was back-translated and a focus group was conducted to improve the comprehension of the items.

97 patients were included. Seventy-two percent of them (70) were male. Mean age was 35 years (SD = 10.0). Mean SWN total score: 83.5 (SD = 14.0). Internal homogeneity: 0.86. Test-retest in clinically stable patients was 0.89. SWN correlated significantly with the PANSS, but not with the DAI-10. Patients with none-mild clinical affectation had higher SWN scores, indicating a better subjective well-being, and vice versa.

The subjective experience of psychotic patients towards treatment is a key factor in therapeutic adherence, quality of life, and clinical outcome. The Spanish version of the SWN scale showed good psychometric properties in a sample of schizophrenic stabilized outpatients. SWN scale constitutes a valuable addition to evaluate patients’ subjective well-being.