Self-efficacy as a predictor of social competence in schizophrenia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of social competence in individuals with schizophrenia. In particular, this was the first study to empirically test the hypotheses that self-efficacy would be positively related to social competence, and that self-efficacy would mediate the effect of negative symptoms, neurocognition, pre-morbid adjustment, and living situation on social competence. Eighty-five individuals diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder living in the community and attending either the Day Hospital or outpatient department of New York Presbyterian Hospital participated in a series of semi-structured clinical interviews and neuropsychological tests. Data provided evidence that self-efficacy was related to social competence such that higher self-efficacy was associated with better social competence. With the exception of living situation, the other variables in the model also were associated with social competence as predicted. Self-efficacy was associated with negative symptoms and pre-morbid adjustment in the hypothesized directions, but was not significantly related to neurocognition or living situation. No evidence was obtained that self-efficacy exerted an effect as a mediator. The data obtained make a significant contribution to the literature on social competence in schizophrenia. The findings also have implications for the design of treatment models for schizophrenia. Most importantly, the data obtained suggest that direct attempts to increase self-efficacy and decrease negative symptoms should be included as important components of treatment models designed to improve social competence in individuals with schizophrenic diagnoses.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
Recommended Citation
Pratt, Sarah Ilana, "Self-efficacy as a predictor of social competence in schizophrenia" (2000). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI9981408.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI9981408
