The impact of mental state disorder and personality on social functioning in patients engaged in community mental health care

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the degree to which mental state disorder and personality disorder impact on social functioning in patients engaged in secondary mental health care in New Zealand. Method: Patients were interviewed using peer-reviewed instruments able to provide an indication of severity to assess their social functioning, personality status and diagnosis. Univariate correlations and linear regression was used to identify the association between social functioning, mental state disorder and personality. Results: Using simple correlations all diagnostic categories associated with declines in social functioning. In the regression analysis depression and personality dysfunction accounted for 48% of the variance in social functioning. Conclusions: For patients engaged in secondary care, depression and personality dysfunction are significantly associated with poorer social functioning.