Social Cognition in Schizophrenia, Part 2: 12-Month Stability and Prediction of Functional Outcome in First-Episode Patients

• DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbr001
• Publication Date: 2011-03-08T05:49:20Z
• Authors: William P. Horan; Michael F. Green; Michael DeGroot; Alan Fiske; Gerhard Hellemann; Kimmy Kee; Robert S. Kern; Junghee Lee; Mark J. Sergi; Kenneth L. Subotnik; Catherine A. Sugar; Joseph Ventura; Keith H. Nuechter...
• Keywords: Social Cognitive Theory

This study evaluated the longitudinal stability and functional correlates of social cognition during early course schizophrenia. Fifty-five first-episode schizophrenia patients completed baseline 12-month follow-up assessments 3 key domains (emotional processing, theory mind, social/relationship perception), as well clinical ratings real-world functioning symptoms. Scores on all cognitive tests demonstrated good with test-retest correlations exceeding .70. Higher scores were both robustly associated significantly better work functioning, independent living, at assessment. Furthermore, cross-lagged panel analyses consistent a causal model in which drove later outcome domain work, above beyond contribution Social impairments are relatively stable, functionally relevant features These results extend findings from companion study, showed stable across prodromal, first-episode, chronic phases illness same measures. may serve useful vulnerability indicators intervention targets.