RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS WITH DIMENSIONS OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

Introduction: Schizophrenia is an endogenous psychotic disorder, which is characterized by the presence of positive and negative symptoms that affect the normal functioning of patients and play important role in their quality of life.

Purpose: The main purpose of this research was to introduce the relationship between positive and negative symptoms and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: The research involved 40 randomly selected male and female respondents from 18 to 60 years of age who suffer from schizophrenia according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases – ICD 10. The instruments used are: the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Scale for the quality of life (WHOQOL Questionnaire - BREF). The statistical analysis of the data was done with the SPSS software package (version 20).

Results: The study showed that there is a statistically significant negative relationship between positive symptoms of schizophrenia and mental health (r= -.682, p<.01), positive symptoms and social relationships (r=-.764, p<.01), positive symptoms and living conditions (r=-.732, p<.05). Regarding negative symptoms of schizophrenia and dimensions of quality of life, it was found that there is a statistically positive significant relationship between negative symptoms of schizophrenia and physical health (r=.833, p<.01); negative symptoms of schizophrenia and mental health (r=-.752, p<.05); negative symptoms of schizophrenia and social relationships (r=.831, p<.01); and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and living conditions (r=.850, p<.01).

Conclusion: Quality of life is a broad concept that includes a person's subjective opinion regarding their physical and psychological health, social relationships and the environment. This study emphasizes that positive symptoms of schizophrenia negatively affects the dimensions of quality of life in all the above-mentioned areas.

Key words: Schizophrenia, positive and negative symptoms, dimension of quality of life.

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/15-2-04

Publication date: May 31st 2024