Schizophrenia Research: Cognition (Sep 2019)

Social skills, executive functioning and social engagement

  • Nir Madjar,
  • Elena Chubarov,
  • Gil Zalsman,
  • Mark Weiser,
  • Gal Shoval

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17

Abstract

Read online

The study explored hypothesized mediation of social interaction skills between executive functions and social engagement among adolescents diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants (N = 92; 62% boys; age = 16.8) were assessed four weeks after hospitalization using previously validated scales. A regression mediation analysis followed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM; with bootstrap analysis) supported the hypothesis. Executive functions were significantly associated with communication skills, which in turn was associated with social engagement (indirect effect = 0.29; standardized). These findings highlight the importance of understanding the heterogeneity of executive functions among adolescent patients with schizophrenia, and the subsequent association with their social skills and engagement. Keywords: Schizophrenia, Adolescents, Executive functions, Social skills, Social engagement