Inroduction: Communication skills are vital to social functioning. Patients
with schizophrenia, who often exhibit impairments in social functioning,
experience difficulties in both verbal and nonverbal communication.
This study aimed to compare the influence of nonverbal sensitivity
and verbal communication disturbance on the social functioning of
schizophrenia patients.
Methods: The study included 38 schizophrenia patients (SCH) and 40
healthy controls (HC). Nonverbal and verbal abilities were assessed
using the Mini Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (Mini-PONS) and the
Communication Disturbance Index (CDI), respectively. Social functioning
was measured with the Social Functioning Scale (SFS), and symptom
severity was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
(PANSS).
Results: Schizophrenia patients exhibited significantly lower nonverbal
sensitivity and higher verbal communication disturbance compared
to healthy controls. Mini-PONS and CDI scores were significantly
correlated with SFS scores in the schizophrenia group but not in
healthy controls. Regression models revealed that PANSS and Mini-
PONS scores significantly predicted social functioning in schizophrenia
patients. Furthermore, symptom severity fully mediated the
relationship between verbal communication disturbance and social
functioning.
Conclusion: Nonverbal communication impairments exert a more
pronounced effect on the decline in social functioning among
schizophrenia patients. These findings underscore the importance of
addressing communication deficits to improve social outcomes in this
population.
Keywords: Nonverbal sensitivity, schizophrenia, social functioning,
verbal communication disturbances