Predictors of residential independence among outpatients with schizophrenia

Objective: Many outpatients with schizophrenia receive support or supervisi on in their place of residence, but the predictors of residential independe nce are not dearly under-stood. The put-pose of this study was to identify factors that predict the degree of residential independence among outpatien ts with schizophrenia. Methods: Seventy-two outpatients with schizophrenia were assigned to three groups based on their degree of residential independ ence. The three groups were compared on three measures of social functionin g, on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and on a battery of neurops ychological tests. Results: Patients' degree of residential independence wa s related to their frequency of family contact, hygiene skills, relative ab sence of negative symptoms, and participation in social activities. In a di scriminant function analysis, the residential status of 78 percent of the p atients was correctly classified. Conclusions: Aspects of social functionin g are significantly associated with patients' independent li ting status. F uture research is needed to determine how family contact, social activities , and hygiene skills may increase patients' degree of residential independe nce.