Factors associated with Empathy in Patients with Schizophrenia in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers

Abstract

Purpose: Empathy is the most important communication skill, and patients with schizophrenia in recovery should be taught empathy for vocational rehabilitation and social life. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting empathy, as well as motivation-pleasure and social anhedonia, in patients with schizophrenia in psychiatric rehabilitation. Methods: This study followed a descriptive design using a cross-sectional survey to assess the empathy, social anhedonia, and motivation-pleasure levels of patients with schizophrenia. The participants were 118 patients with schizophrenia from five mental health rehabilitation centers in South Korea. Results: The results of this study show a high correlation among empathy, motivation-pleasure, and social anhedonia. The variables affecting empathy were age, motivation-pleasure, and social anhedonia, and the explanatory power of the variables was 32.6%. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that improving communication skills and negative symptoms will contribute positively to patients’ social lives and vocational rehabilitation.