Negative symptoms and the formation of social affiliative bonds in schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT: Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are characterized by deficits in normative experiences and expression of emotion, and they are associated with poor social functioning. Negative symptoms relating to deficits in motivation and pleasure may hinder the development of affiliative bonds. The current study used a novel procedure to examine the relation between negative symptoms and the development of social affiliation within a laboratory setting. Fifty-five men (35 controls; 20 with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder) completed three Social Affiliation Enhancement Tasks with an experimenter partner. Self-reported affiliation and affect ratings were assessed before and after the affiliative interaction. Across groups, social affiliation and positive affect increased following the interactive ta

SUBMITTER: McCarthy JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5796871 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature