Heightened interpersonal dependency in schizophrenia: Associations with graver impairment in neurocognition but not with negative or positive symptoms

Abstract

This study sought to clarify how dependency traits may be related to neurocognition and clinical symptoms of schizophrenia. Participants were 35 persons diagnosed with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder who were recruited from a comprehensive day hospital at a VA Medical Center. Neurocognition, symptoms and level of interpersonal dependency were measured. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that greater neurocognitive deficits predicted greater dependency needs. No relationship was found between symptoms and the level of dependency needs.