Electrodermal nonresponding, premorbid adjustment, and symptomatology as predictors of long-term social functioning in schizophrenics.
The hypothesis that electrodermal nonresponsiveness to orienting stimuli delineates a core group of "Kraepelinian" type schizophrenics was tested by following up social functioning outcome over a 2-year period in 37 schizophrenics. Good social functioning outcome required both some self-supporting ability in the job market and a minimal social life. The prior assessments included monitoring of electrodermal responses to a series of moderately intense tones, ratings of reported and observed symptoms during an interview, and ratings of premorbid adjustment on the basis of an interview with a close relative. Electrodermal nonresponding, poor premorbid adjustment, and negative symptomatology predicted poor social functioning during the second follow-up year, but the relationship to nonresponding pertained exclusively to a group of 15 first-episode patients. Discriminant analysis showed that electrodermal nonresponding and symptoms were the only independent predictors of outcome.
Ohman
A
A
Ohlund
L S
LS
Alm
T
T
Wieselgren
I M
IM
Ost
L G
LG
Lindström
L H
LH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012917:Social Adjustment