Psychiatria pre prax 3/2012

Psychosocial functioning in patients with schizophrenia

Social functioning is an important outcome parameter for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia because deficits in psychosocial domains are a core feature of schizophrenia. The importance of adequately developed, valid and reliable instruments to measure social functioning has been stressed by regulatory agencies. The Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP) developed to specifically evaluate psychosocial functioning offers a validated and easy to use tool to measure these new outcome parameters. Scales that are validated in schizophrenia patients and sensitive to change over the course of the disease will allow a better and more comprehensive monitoring of treatment strategies and long-term prognosis.

Keywords: schizophrenia, social functioning, personal functioning, antipsychotics.