Perception of emotions as a predictor of social functioning and the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: Perception of emotions is an important aspect of social functioning and the quality of life, and its deficit has been consistently found in people with schizophrenia. Aim: To obtain better understanding of the relationship and predictability between the perception of emotions, social functioning and the quality of life in people with schizophrenia. Method: The sample comprised 64 respondents (the clinical and the control group consisting of 32 subjects each, equal in terms of gender, age and education). Perception of emotions was measured using the test of speed and accuracy of perception of facial expression, while social functioning and the quality of life were measured via self-assessment questionnaires. The research was exploratory and non-experimental correlational. Results: In both the clinical and control groups, the perception of emotions is positively correlated with social functioning and the quality of life. Still, the direction of predictivity remains unclear due to the complexity of relationships. Compared to the control group, there was a deficit in the domains of perception of emotional expression, social functioning and the quality of life in the clinical group. The deficit in the perception of emotions in patients with schizophrenia is global and affects all emotions, while it is most pronounced when it comes to the emotions of surprise and anger. Conclusions: The obtained findings indicate that the understanding of the lack of functioning in people with schizophrenia should be sought, among other things, in the relation between the perception of emotions, social functioning and the quality of life in order to gain a better insight into choosing the proper line of treatment with the aim of improving the overall well-being of the patients.