title: Exploring functioning in schizophrenia: Predictors of functional capacity and real-world behaviour.
abstract: Impairment in daily functioning still represents a major treatment issue in schizophrenia and a more in-depth knowledge of underlying constructs is crucial for interventions to translate into better outcomes. This study aims to model factors influencing both functional capacity and real-life behaviour in a sample of outpatients with chronic schizophrenia, through a comprehensive assessment including evaluations of psychopathology, cognitive and social cognitive abilities, premorbid adjustment, family environment and early childhood experiences. No significant correlation was observed between functional capacity and real-life behaviour. Functional capacity was significantly predicted by IQ, while real-life behaviour was significantly predicted by empathy, affect recognition and symptoms. Functional capacity seems mainly related to neurocognition, whereas real-life behaviour appears more complex, requiring the integration of different factors including symptoms, with a major role of empathy. Results thus support a divergence between the two constructs of functioning and their underlying components and highlight the need to target both dimensions through individualized sequential rehabilitation programs in order to optimize functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bechi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: bosia.marta@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bosia
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spangaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariachiara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.affiliation: Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavedoni
authors.affiliation: Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agostoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cocchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guglielmino
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smeraldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: Daily functioning; Empathy; Neurocognition; Premorbid adjustment; Psychosis; Quality of life; Social cognition