Social functioning of schizophrenic patients: clinical and research issues

Social dysfunction is generally considered an essential feature of schizophrenia. However, despite considerable interest in the social functioning of schizophrenic patients, the precise nature of the social deficits exhibited by these patients remains unspecified. No widely accepted criterion of social competence has been used to investigate their social functioning. Also, social skills researchers have often failed to recognize the heterogeneity of schizophrenia and the impact that this heterogeneity may have on attempts to implement psychosocial interventions. The adverse findings regarding the social behavior of schizophrenic patients are reviewed. Factors relating to schizophrenia that may affect their social functioning are discussed, as are directions for future research that may lead to more effective psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia.