Zeynep Nur Demirok

Communication skills are vital to social functioning. Patients with schizophrenia, who often exhibit impairments in social functioning, experience difficulties in both verbal and nonverbal communication. This study aimed to compare the influence of nonverbal sensitivity and verbal communication disturbance on the social functioning of schizophrenia patients. The study included 38 schizophrenia patients (SCH) and 40 healthy controls (HC). Nonverbal and verbal abilities were assessed using the Mini Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (Mini-PONS) and the Communication Disturbance Index (CDI), respectively. Social functioning was measured with the Social Functioning Scale (SFS), and symptom severity was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Schizophrenia patients exhibited significantly lower nonverbal sensitivity and higher verbal communication disturbance compared to healthy controls. Mini-PONS and CDI scores were significantly correlated with SFS scores in the schizophrenia group but not in healthy controls. Regression models revealed that PANSS and Mini-PONS scores significantly predicted social functioning in schizophrenia patients. Furthermore, symptom severity fully mediated the relationship between verbal communication disturbance and social functioning. Nonverbal communication impairments exert a more pronounced effect on the decline in social functioning among schizophrenia patients. These findings underscore the importance of addressing communication deficits to improve social outcomes in this population.

Communication skills are vital to social functioning (SF). Patients with schizophrenia (SCH), a population with vital impairments in SF, are known to have difficulties in both verbal and nonverbal communication. To compare the influence of nonverbal sensitivity (NVS) and verbal communication disturbances (VCD) on SF, 38 SCH and 40 healthy controls (HC) were included in the present study. Mini Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity Test (Mini-PONS Test) and Communication Disturbance Index (CDI) were respectively used to assess nonverbal and verbal abilities. The level of SF was determined using Social Functioning Scale (SFS). The severity of illness was measured with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANNS). Lower NVS and higher rate of VCD were found in SCH compared to HC. CDI and Mini-PONS total scores were significantly correlated with SFS total score in SCH, but not in HC. PANSS and Mini-PONS total scores remained a significant predictor of SFS total score in subsequent regression models in SCH. Symptom severity was shown to be a full mediator of the relationship between VCD and SF. The results indicate that the impairment of nonverbal communication skills have a salient impact on the decline in SF in schizophrenia.