title: Accurate perception of negative emotions predicts functional capacity in schizophrenia.
abstract: Several studies suggest facial affect perception (FAP) deficits in schizophrenia are linked to poorer social functioning. However, whether reduced functioning is associated with inaccurate perception of specific emotional valence or a global FAP impairment remains unclear. The present study examined whether impairment in the perception of specific emotional valences (positive, negative) and neutrality were uniquely associated with social functioning, using a multimodal social functioning battery. A sample of 59 individuals with schizophrenia and 41 controls completed a computerized FAP task, and measures of functional capacity, social competence, and social attainment. Participants also underwent neuropsychological testing and symptom assessment. Regression analyses revealed that only accurately perceiving negative emotions explained significant variance (7.9%) in functional capacity after accounting for neurocognitive function and symptoms. Partial correlations indicated that accurately perceiving anger, in particular, was positively correlated with functional capacity. FAP for positive, negative, or neutral emotions were not related to social competence or social attainment. Our findings were consistent with prior literature suggesting negative emotions are related to functional capacity in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the observed relationship between perceiving anger and performance of everyday living skills is novel and warrants further exploration.
authors: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Department of Psychology, 75 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States.
authors: Samantha V
authors: SV
authors: Abram
authors: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 710 North Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
authors: Tatiana M
authors: TM
authors: Karpouzian
authors: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 710 North Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
authors: James L
authors: JL
authors: Reilly
authors: RWTH Aachen University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors: Birgit
authors: B
authors: Derntl
authors: RWTH Aachen University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors: Ute
authors: U
authors: Habel
authors: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 710 North Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611, United States. Electronic address: matthewsmith@northwestern.edu.
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Facial affect perception; Neurocognition; Social functioning; Symptoms