Identifying Challenges in Social Functioning Among Women with Schizophrenia

IntroductionSchizophrenia spectrum disorders profoundly impacts social functioning, affecting interpersonal relationships, work interactions, and self-care. This disorder often leads to cognitive, perceptual, motor, and emotional challenges that result in social withdrawal.ObjectivesThe aim of the study is to identify the specific challenges in social functioning faced by women diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among stabilized female patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, in the ‘B’ psychiatry department at Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax, Tunisia, from May to June 2023. We collected both sociodemographic and clinical data from the participants. The Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and Global Functioning Scale (EGF) were used to assess social and global functioning, respectively.ResultsForty-one patients were included: 65.9% had schizophrenia, and 34.2% had schizoaffective disorder. The mean age was 49.19 years, ranging from 17 to 79 years. More than a third (39%) of our patients had significant impairment in global functioning (EGF