title: Strong subjective recovery as a protective factor against the effects of positive symptoms on quality of life outcomes in schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interest in recovery from schizophrenia has been growing steadily, with much of the focus on remission from psychotic symptoms and a return to functioning. Less is known about the experience of subjective recovery and its relationships with other important outcomes, such as quality of life and the formation and sustenance of social connections. This study sought to address this gap in knowledge by examining the links between self perceived recovery, symptoms, and the social components of quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty eight veterans with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders who were participating in a study of cognitive remediation and work were concurrently administered the Recovery Assessment Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and the Heinrichs-Carpenter Quality of Life Scale (QLS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Linear regression analyses demonstrated that subjective recovery moderated the relationship between positive symptoms and both QLS intrapsychic foundations scores and QLS instrumental role functioning after controlling for negative symptoms. Further examination of this interaction revealed that for individuals with substantial positive symptoms, higher levels of subjective recovery were associated with better instrumental role functioning and intrapsychic foundational abilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater self perceived recovery is linked with stronger quality of life, both in regards to the cognitive and affective bases for socialization and active community involvement, even in the presence of substantial psychotic symptoms. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Department of Psychology.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kukla
authors.affiliation: Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center; Indiana School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lysaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D065840:Protective Factors; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D057566:Self Report; D016896:Treatment Outcome