The author attempted to find out the relationship between psychological impairments, negative symptoms and social function in schizophrenia. 142 schizophrenic patients on screening schedule were applied Psychological Impairment Rating Schedule and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and Diagnostic and Prognostic Schedule.
Overall level of disability after 12 months was classified in 3 groups as the group of improvement with less disability(85 patients), the group of no change(34 patients) and the group of deterioration with more disability(23 patients).
The results were summarized as follows：
1. Between the group of improvement with less disability and the group of no change, the degree of initiative, communication by facial expression, affect display, cooperation and all negative symptoms were significantly different.
2. Between the group of no change and the group of deterioration with more disability, the degree of psychic tempo, attention withdrawal, initiative, communication by facial expression and by body language, conversation skills, cooperation were significantly different.
3. Between the group of improvement with less disability and the group of deterioration with more disability, the degree of psychic tempo, attention withdrawal, communication by facial expression and by body language, affect display, conversation skills, and all negative symptoms were significantly different.
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