The link between formal thought disorder and social functioning in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background. Formal thought disorder (FTD) and social functioning impairments are core symptoms of schizophrenia. Although both have been observed for over a century, the strength of the relationship between FTD and social functioning remains unclear. Furthermore, a variety of methodological approaches have been used to assess these constructs—which may contribute to inconsistency in reported associations. This meta-analysis aimed to: (a) systematically test the relationship between FTD and social functioning and (b) determine if the methodology used to assess FTD and/or social functioning moderates this relationship. Methods. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a targeted literature search was conducted on studies examining the relationship between FTD and social functioning. Correlations were extracted and used to calculate weighted mean effect sizes using a random effects model. Results. A total of 1,478 participants across 13 unique studies were included in this meta-analysis. A small-medium inverse association (r = −0.23, p < 0.001) was observed between FTD and social functioning. Although heterogeneity analyses produced a significant Q-statistic (Q = 52.77, p = <0.001), the relationship between FTD and social functioning was not moderated by methodology, study quality, demographic variables, or clinical factors. Conclusions. Findings illustrate a negative association between FTD and social functioning. Despite differences in the methodological approach used and type of information assessed, measurement type and clinical factors did not moderate the relationship between FTD and social functioning. Future studies should explore whether other variables, such as cognitive processes (e.g., social cognition), may account for variability in associations between these constructs.

The Impact of Verbal Communication Disturbance and Nonverbal Sensitivity on Social Functioning in Schizophrenia Patients

“…Nonetheless, same explanation may not hold true for our result on relationship between symptoms and pragmatic discourse failure. In a similar vein, although the close relation between social impairment of schizophrenia and speech disorder is well-documented, outcomes have been mainly obtained as a by-product of formal thought de cit (Marggraf et al, 2020). We con rm and extend existing literature by showing signi cant association between SF and impaired pragmatic linguistic pro le of SCH.…”

Widespread cortical thinning, excessive glutamate and impaired linguistic functioning in schizophrenia: A cluster analytic approach

“…Despite this strong linguistic dependency of the construct of schizophrenia, not every patient diagnosed with this illness displays a detectable speech disturbance (Roche et al, 2015;Kircher et al, 2018;Oomen et al, 2022). It is important to identify patients who are most likely to be afflicted in the language domain, as speech disturbances directly affect the educational and occupational success (Palaniyappan et al, 2019), interpersonal (Tan et al, 2014) and social functioning (Marggraf et al, 2020) as well as endured stigma (Penn et al, 2000). Identification of this subgroup may assist in prognostication in schizophrenia, as well as making early and targeted interventions for a group that may have higher educational and vocational needs possible, before they manifest significant deficits in these domains.…”

Outcomes of Physiotherapy on Activities of Daily Living and Discharge to the Community in Psychiatric Long-term Care Ward Patients

“…Eating, grooming, and bathing are basic activities necessary for living in any environment, and even if the patient is discharged from the hospital to a group home, it is expected that these activities can be performed independently or with supervision. Comprehension, expression, and memory require thinking that involves meaningful words, and it has also been suggested that thought disorder leads to social limitations 20) . These results suggest that the degree of disability in self-care, communication, and memory at the start of physiotherapy may be a predictor of whether a patient will be discharged.…”