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

Abstract 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.