Decline In Social Functioning Research Articles

Comparison of Cognitive Empathy, Emotional Empathy, and Social Functioning in Different Age Groups

Empathic responses and optimum social functioning are associated with psychological and physical health benefits. The aim of this study was to compare emotional empathy, cognitive empathy, and social functioning among different age groups, including adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. One hundred and ninety‐six people (92 males, 104 females) with the age range of 14 to 85 assigned to four age groups (adolescents, young adults, middle adults, and older adults) participated in this study. Participants were asked to complete the Empathy Quotient, the Revised Eyes Test, and Social Functioning Scale. The results showed that there were significant differences between older adults and other groups. Emotional empathy increased in older people, but there were deficits in some aspects of cognitive empathy. Also, the findings showed an age‐related decline in social functioning. Due to deficits in cognitive empathy affected by ageing, older adults showed some impairment in their ability to interpret emotional cues. This age‐related decline in cognitive empathy might be a reason for weak social functioning in older adults. Therefore, considering these elements would be helpful to provide healthcare strategies for elderly people.

Factors Relating to Quality of Life After Esophagectomy for Cancer Patients in Taiwan

Little is known regarding the short-term quality of life (QoL) and predictive factors for QoL after esophagectomy for cancer in Eastern countries. The aims of this study were to assess QoL and symptoms within 1 and 6 months after surgery for esophageal cancer (EC) and to identify factors predictive of QoL within 6 months after esophagectomy in Taiwan. A longitudinal, prospective design was used, where convenience samples of 99 patients who had undergone esophagectomy for cancer were recruited from 2 medical centers in northern Taiwan. All participants responded to a questionnaire with a QLQ-C30 (Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer) core and a QLQ-OES18 (esophageal module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment [EORTC] QLQ-C30) module in structured interviews at baseline and 1 and 6 months after surgery. The results showed significant decline in social function and global QoL; fatigue, insomnia, eating problems, reflux, and dry mouth were major problems within 6 months. Body mass index, body weight loss before surgery, activity performance status, and anastomosis site showed no significant association with the function and symptom aspect of QoL. Surgical complications, advanced cancer, neoadjuvant therapy before surgery, and tumor location other than at the EC junction had significant deleterious effects on several aspects of QoL. This study describes the demographics of EC and short-term changes in QoL and also the predictive impact factor for QoL after surgery for EC. Knowledge of risk factors for poor postoperative QoL would be useful for health providers in detecting and prioritizing problems and treatment options in a busy clinical site.

Employment status, social function decline and caregiver burden among stroke survivors. A South Indian study

Stroke leaves at least 60% of the survivors with moderate to severe disability limiting their employment status and social functioning leading to high levels of caregiver burden. AimWe sought to study the employment status and level of change of social functioning of stroke survivors and their principal caregiver and correlate it with severity of stroke, functional disability, and anxiety and depression scores. MethodsOne hundred and fifty stroke survivors and principal caregivers (3months–2years post-stroke) were recruited for the study. The employment status pre- and post-stroke was assessed. The social function of the patient and caregiver was analyzed using a 6 item social function scale developed for the study, encompassing culturally relevant questions. A 20 point scale adapted from Burden assessment schedule was used to assess the caregiver burden. ResultsMean age of the study group was 54.37±12.072 (range 22–75years), with 116 males and 34 females. Spouse was the principal caregiver for 142/150 patients (94.6%). In the stroke survivors, compared to the pre-stroke employment status of 62.7%, only 20.7% were employed post-stroke with half having change of job. But the employment status of caregiver was not reduced post-stroke (34.7% vs 33.3%). Employment loss in stroke survivors had a statistically significant association with severity of functional disability, male gender and presence of limb weakness (p values 0.037, 0.0001 and 0.043 respectively). There was an overall decline in social functions among the 6 parameters assessed in both the stroke survivors and caregivers. Of the caregiver burden, financial burden was more among female and older caregivers. The functional status and motor weakness of the stroke survivors did not tend to worsen the overall caregiver burden. ConclusionsLoss of occupation among stroke survivors is high. The decline in social function among stroke survivors and caregivers was significant. Even though functional disability contributed to employment loss and social function decline among stroke survivors, it did not have a significant impact on caregiver burden.

The therapeutic use of doll therapy in dementia

Over the next 15 years, the number of people with dementia in the UK will increase significantly. There are clear limitations associated with the sole use of pharmacological interventions to address the cognitive decline and related problems that people with dementia and their carers will experience. As a result, health professionals, including nurses, need to consider the development and use of nonpharmacological therapies to help resolve the distress and decline in social function that people with dementia can experience. The use of doll therapy in dementia care appears to be increasing, even though there is limited empirical evidence to support its use and therapeutic effectiveness. It is suggested by advocates of doll therapy that its use can alleviate distress and promote comfort in some people with dementia. Despite these encouraging claims, the theoretical basis for the use of doll therapy in dementia is poorly understood and morally questionable. The purpose of this article is to provide healthcare professionals with a succinct overview of the theory behind the therapeutic use of dolls for people with dementia, a presentation and appraisal of the available empirical evidence and an appreciation of the potential ethical dilemmas that are involved.

DO SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BIPOLAR DISORDER HAVE OPPOSITE ASSOCIATIONS WITH INTELLIGENCE?

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.

Poster #70 ETHNICITY AND BASELINE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN PATIENTS WITH AN AT RISK MENTAL STATE FOR PSYCHOSIS

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.

Poster #71 SIMILARITIESAND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRST EPISODE SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDERS

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.

Poster #73 AT-RISK CRITERIA OF PSYCHOSIS: RELIABILITY BETWEEN INTERVIEW MODES

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.

Detection of people at risk of developing a first psychosis: comparison of two recruitment strategies

Better recruitment strategies are needed to improve the identification of people at ultra-high risk of developing psychosis. This study explores the effectiveness of two recruitment strategies: a screening method in a consecutive help-seeking population entering secondary mental health services for non-psychotic problems vs. a population referred to the diagnostic center of an early-psychosis clinic. From February 2008 to February 2010, all general practitioner and self-referrals (aged 18-35 years) to the secondary mental healthcare service in The Hague and Zoetermeer were screened with the Prodromal Questionnaire; patients who scored above the cutoff of 18 and had a decline in social functioning were assessed using the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS). All referrals (aged 14-35 years) to the diagnostic center in Amsterdam were also assessed with the CAARMS. The screening detected a three-fold higher prevalence of at-risk mental states: these subjects were older and more often female. manova showed significantly higher scores for the screened population on depression, social anxiety, distress with positive symptoms, and a higher rate of transition to psychosis within 12 months. The screening method detects more patients with at-risk mental states than the referral method. The latter method is biased to young male patients in an earlier prodromal stage and a lower transition rate.

Social functioning, polypharmacy and depression in older Chinese primary care patients

Objective: This study aims to identify the relationship among social functioning, polypharmacy and depression among older patients in Hong Kong. Method: Three out of 18 elderly health centres were selected using the cluster sampling method. 457 elders were randomly selected from all the patients aged 65 and over attending the centres, and were interviewed using the Chinese Minimum Data Set-Home Care in 1999. Of them 318 were re-assessed in 2000. Results: At follow-up, their mean age was 73.6 (SD = 5.5), of whom 51.6% were females. Besides negative emotions, respondents’ increased depressive symptoms were associated with using more than four medications and decline in social functioning over time, and behavioural agitation at baseline. If there was no medication review at baseline, the impact of polypharmacy on depression was subsided. Conclusion: Medication review is important in the prediction and treatment process of depression as it can moderate the impact of social functioning and polypharmacy. Therefore, medical professionals should prescribe fewer medications to eliminate adverse drug reactions and reduce depressive symptoms. However, the study reflects that older adults might feel depressed by not being able to control the result of their reviews. Thus, if the review could involve older patients, it might be more assuring and helps to restore their hope for gaining control in their treatment process.

Longitudinal Associations Between Negative Symptoms and Social Functioning in Schizophrenia: The Moderating Role of Employment Status and Setting

While research has demonstrated strong relationships between negative symptoms and social difficulties in schizophrenia, little is known about the possible role of employment status and setting in this relationship. Seventy-seven participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder, who were either unemployed (n = 34), employed within a specialty mental health setting (n = 23), or employed within a community setting (n = 20) were assessed twice, six weeks apart, as to their negative symptoms and social functioning. Work in community settings generally predicted an increase in the levels of social functioning over time. However, individuals with high levels of negative symptoms who were employed in community settings evinced substantial decline in social functioning over time compared to unemployment or to employment in specialty mental health settings. These results are consistent with action models of psychopathology and encourage heightened sensitivity to individual symptomatic profiles in the course of vocational rehabilitation.

Interpersonal problems in the prodromal state of schizophrenia: An exploratory study

Decline in social function and withdrawal from interpersonal relations often precede psychotic symptoms in developing psychosis. It is therefore of interest to assess how persons presumed to be in the prodromal state of schizophrenia experience interpersonal difficulties. In this study a sample was defined by the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS) and interpersonal problems were assessed by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP). Four groups were compared: a norm group (n=363), a group with sub‐threshold symptoms (n=11), the group defined as prodromal (n=12) and a group meeting criteria for psychosis (n=12). The results showed an increase in interpersonal problems with increasing severity of near‐psychotic and psychotic symptoms. Psychotherapeutic implications of focusing on interpersonal problems are discussed. Interpretation of the results must take into consideration that the sample was small.

P03-162 Association between financial strain, social network and five-year recovery from first episode psychosis

Despite much effort to positively affect long-term outcome in psychosis and schizophrenia many patients are still facing a poor outcome with persistent psychotic symptoms and decline in social functioning. the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between financial strain and social network and five-year outcome of first episode psychosis (FEP). FEP patients were divided into recovered (n = 52) and non-recovered (n = 19). Each personwas matched according to age and gender with fourpersons (n = 284) from a longitudinal populationbasedstudy. All persons had answered an extensivequestionnaire including social network, quantitative and qualitative, financial strain and mental health. Linear regression analysis showed that both financial strain and social network were associated, and had a unique contribution, to outcome. the results indicate that FEP patients might benefit from interventions that reduce financial strain thus facilitating daily life and cultural and social activities.

Association between financial strain, social network and five-year recovery from first episode psychosis

Despite much effort to positively affect long-term outcome in psychosis and schizophrenia many patients are still facing a poor outcome with persistent psychotic symptoms and decline in social functioning. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between financial strain and social network and five-year outcome of first episode psychosis (FEP). FEP patients were divided into recovered (n = 52) and non-recovered (n = 19). Each person was matched according to age and gender with four persons (n = 284) from a longitudinal population-based study. All persons had answered an extensive questionnaire including social network, quantitative and qualitative, financial strain and mental health. Linear regression analysis showed that both financial strain and social network were associated, and had a unique contribution, to outcome. The results indicate that FEP patients might benefit from interventions that reduce financial strain thus facilitating daily life and cultural and social activities.

Psychiatrists Gain Tools to Help Predict Conversion to Psychosis

Psychiatrists Gain Tools to Help Predict Conversion to Psychosis

A longitudinal study of acculturative stress and homesickness: high-school adolescents immigrating from Russia and Ukraine to Israel without parents

Acculturative stress and homesickness are psychological reactions to cross-cultural transition. They may cause a decline in social functioning, increased psychological distress, and, in severe cases, psychiatric disorders among immigrants. This study examined changes in acculturative stress and homesickness over the first 3 years in the host country. It also investigated the role of pre-migration psychological resources, perceived discrimination, and perceived social support as predictors of acculturative stress and homesickness. 211 high-school adolescents who immigrated from Russia and Ukraine to Israel without parents participated in the study. They filled out self-report questionnaires at four times: about half a year before emigration and during the three consecutive years after immigration. Acculturative stress strengthened in the second year compared to the first year and decreased in the third year after immigration. Homesickness decreased from the first to the third year after immigration. Pre-migration psychological resources were negatively correlated with acculturative stress and homesickness. Perceived discrimination was positively correlated with acculturative stress and homesickness. Perceived social support from friends and teachers negatively correlated with acculturative stress and homesickness, while perceived social support from the adolescents' parents was not correlated with these variables. Personal psychological resources and social support buffer acculturative stress and homesickness in immigrants, while discrimination aggravates their distress.

WC3B THE EUROPEAN PREDICTION OF PSYCHOSIS STUDY (EPOS) — DEMOGRAPHY, PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND TRANSITION RATES

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.

Defining subjects at risk for psychosis: A comparison of two approaches

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.

The onset of psychotic disorder: A loose linkage model

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.

The symptom onset in schizophrenia (SOS) scale: Test-retest reliability

The ability to detect individuals at high risk for developing schizophrenia before they express the disease will lead to targeted early intervention. It has been proposed that subjects at risk share a core deficit with people who already have schizophrenia. This includes cognitive impairment, affective symptoms, social isolation and decline in social functioning. In a sample of 104 help-seeking patients from a specialised outpatient clinic we investigated how well two different sets of criteria define the at-risk group and capture this core deficit. One set of criteria is the well-established ultra high-risk model of McGlashan et al. [McGlashan 2001 (SIPS) McGlashan, T. H., Miller, T. J., Woods, S. W., et al. (2001) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (Version 3.0, unpublished manuscript). New Haven, Connecticut: PRIME Research Clinic, Yale School of Medicine.]; the other criteria were those defined by Cornblatt et al. [Cornblatt, B., Lencz, T., Smith, C.W., Correll, C.U., Auther, A., Nakayama, E., 2003. The schizophrenia prodrome revisited: a neurodevelopmental perspective. Schizophr. Bull. 29, 633–651.]. There was considerable overlap in the two sets of criteria. However, when the basic symptoms of Klosterkötter [Klosterkötter, J., Hellmich, M., Steinmeyer, E.M., Schultze-Lutter, F., 2001a. Diagnosing schizophrenia in the initial prodromal phase. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 58, 158–164.] were included in the McGlashan et al. model, a more narrow and homogeneous group was defined.