Social function among persons with schizophrenia

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to describe the social function of persons with schizophrenia (PWS) aged 38 to 48 years who are receiving regional mental health services, and to discuss treatment implications based on social function concerns. Social function is defined by an individual's perceptions, motivations, attitudes, and behaviors, and external circumstances such as quality of life (QOL) that may or may not be related to health. A qualitative case study method was used to examine the data. The research questions asked were: 1) what is the social function ofPWS? And 2) what are the implications for treatment based on social function concerns? Four PWS were chosen as illustrative examples for this study. The average age was 43 years, with equal numbers of male (n=2) and female (n=2) subjects. The average patient was white and with about 11 years of education living in shelter plus housing. The primary Axis I diagnosis was schizophrenia. This study found four problem areas of limitation in usual social roles, integration, contacts, and intimacy and sexual function. Additionally, treatment implications for each of these four areas were also found. Study conclusions suggest the critical need for the implementation of treatment interventions to improve the social function of PWS.