The Prognostic Significance of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Abstract

As is evidenced by this special supplement of the British Journal of Psychiatry, negative symptoms have become the focus of an increasing research effort. We have recently reviewed this overall body of research in an attempt to understand its current status and to suggest directions for future work from a broad perspective (Pogue-Geile & Zubin, 1988). In contrast, the aim of this paper is to review concisely one specific aspect of this research — namely the prognostic and longitudinal characteristics of negative symptoms. Research findings on this general topic will be reviewed by addressing a series of more specific subquestions, which are outlined below. Throughout, the potential importance of when in the course of the disorder (i.e. during an acute episode or afterward) negative symptoms are assessed will be emphasised (Kay et al, 1986b).