Ability of Facial Affect Perception in Patients with Schizophrenia

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to compare the ability of facial affect perception among schizophrenia patients, their first degree relatives, and normal control subjects. METHODS: Thirty five patients with schizophrenia, 22 first degree relatives, and 34 normal control subjects were recruited in this study. All three groups were matched for age and education levels. The facial affect identification test(FAIT), and neurocognitive test were applied. In the FAIT, the correct response rate, perceived intensity, and sensitivity for 6 kinds of affects were compared among three groups. RESULTS: We found that correct response rate of sadness and anger were decreased in the schizophrenia patients compared with the normal control group. Also the schizophrenia patients showed reduced sensitivity for all six affects compared with the normal control group. The ability of facial affect perception in first degree relatives of schizophrenia patients was decreased but there were not any significant differences compared with normal control group. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed significantly reduced ability of facial affect perception in schizophrenia patients compared with normal control. Decreased ability of facial affect perception in first degree relatives suggests that affective sensitivity can be influenced by genetic predisposition.