SELF-REPORTED SOCIAL FUNCTIONING AMONG OLDER PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a self-report measure of social functioning as an outcome measure for older schizop hrenia patients. Sixty-five schizophrenia patients and 39 healthy cont rols, ranging in age from 45 to 81 years, were evaluated using a modif ied Social Adjustment Scale (SAS-M), Scales for Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms, Depression Subscale of the Brief Symptom Inven tory, Mini-Mental State Examination; Dementia Rating Scale, measures o f social support, and measures of background variables. Compared with controls, fewer patients with schizophrenia engaged in social roles, w ere married, were parents, or held jobs. Moreover, patients were more impaired in overall functioning, specifically in the domains of social /leisure, extended family, and marital roles than controls. Impairment s in most roles were correlated with greater severity of symptoms, but not with degree of cognitive impairment, social environment, or backg round characteristics. The SAS-M is a useful addition to psychosocial batteries; however, the self-report format may not reflect others' per ception of functioning. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.