Relationship Between Cognition and Work Functioning Among Patients With Schizophrenia in an Urban Area of India

Abstract

Employment rates and work functioning are poor among patients with schizophrenia and are related to cognitive dysfunction. This study examined the relationship between work functioning and cognition, other clinical and demographic variables, and measures of social functioning among patients with schizophrenia in an urban area of India. This study evaluated cognitive dysfunction and work functioning among 88 patients with chronic schizophrenia. Attention, executive function, and memory were tested with a battery of neuropsychological tests. Work and social functions were evaluated with standardized instruments. Fifty-nine patients (67 percent) were employed, most in a mainstream environment. Moderate to significant work dysfunction was present among 21 patients (24 percent). When multivariate analysis was performed, cognitive deficits did not relate significantly to current employment status or to level of performance at work. Negative symptoms predicted employment status, and poor social functioning predicted poor work performance. The relationship between work and cognitive status in schizophrenia was not as strong as has been previously reported in this population. It was speculated that social factors, such as the compelling need to be employed, a supportive work environment, and the number of years of formal education, were factors underlying the high level of work functioning in this group despite cognitive deficits.