Relationship between Negative Symptoms and Functional Outcome among Patients with schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception and behavior leading to impaired function that persist for at least 6 months of disturbed functioning. Negative symptoms are core features of the disorder even during the first episode and it has emerged a key predictors of functional outcomes in individuals with chronic schizophrenia. Aim: to assess the relationship between negative symptoms and functional outcomes among patients with schizophrenia. Design & Setting: A descriptive correlational research design was used; the study was conducted at El-Azazy hospital for mental health and addiction management. Sample: Purposive sample consists of 107 patients was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Tools: Data were gathered through structured interview questionnaire through three tools: First: Personal characteristics of the study sample, Second: 4-Item Negative Symptom Assessment scale (NSA-4) and Third: Social functioning scale. Results: (50.5%) of studied sample had moderately severe level of negative symptoms , the majority (93.5%) of the studied sample have poor social function level while minority (6.5%) of them have fair social function level. Conclusion: There is a highly statistically significant negative correlation between negative symptoms and social functioning domains among studied patients. Recommendations: Developing program for training mental health nurses on the accurate assessment of negative symptoms and social functioning among patients with schizophrenia.