Is learning potential associated with social skills in schizophrenia?
Cognitive deficits are a primary factor in the social and functional impairments characteristic of schizophrenia and an important predictor of treatment success in psychosocial rehabilitation. This study examined the association between abstract reasoning and social functioning by assessing whether learning potential on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) relates to changes in social competence following social skills training (SST). Fifty-six veterans with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed a series of assessments followed by eight SST sessions. To evaluate learning potential, we assessed participants with the WCST and Category Test (CT), taught them a training protocol for the WCST, and retested on both measures. Participants learned the WCST, generalized this learning to improve their performance on the CT, and retained these gains for several weeks. Participants showed small improvements on the Maryland Assessment of Social Competence (MASC), but WCST learning potential and CT generalization were unrelated to improvement on the MASC.
Tenhula
Wendy N
WN
Department of Veterans Affairs Capitol Health Care Network (Veterans Integrated Service Network 5),Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. wendy.tenhula@va.gov
Kinnaman
Joanna E Strong
JE
Bellack
Alan S
AS
D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012945:Social Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome