Community and interpersonal functioning in the course of schizophrenic disorders.

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the role of community and interpersonal functioning in the developmental course and outcome of schizophrenic disorders. Based on a review of the research literature, it appears that certain patterns of poor functioning may be characteristic of at least a subgroup of schizophrenic individuals, predate the onset of the disorder, and predict the outcome of the disorder. Thus, some patterns of poor community and interpersonal functioning may be seen as potential indicators of vulnerability to the development of schizophrenic episodes rather than solely as consequences of schizophrenic psychotic symptoms.