Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry (생물정신의학)

The Korean Society of Biological Psychiatry (대한생물정신의학회)
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Gender Differences in Empathic Ability and Facial Emotion Recognition of Schizophrenic Patients

성별에 따른 조현병 환자의 공감 능력 및 얼굴 정서 인식 능력의 차이

  • Kim, Ki-Chang (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Son, Jung-Woo (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Ghim, Hei-Rhee (Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Ick (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Shin, Chul-Gin (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Kim, Sie-Kyeong (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Ju, Gawon (Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Eom, Jin-Sup (Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Jung, Myung-Sook (Department of Welfare Psychology, Kkottongnae University) ;
  • Park, Min (Department of Psychological Rehabilitation, Korea Nazarene University) ;
  • Moon, Eunok (Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Cheon, Young-Un (Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University)
  • 김기창 (충북대학교 의과대학 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 손정우 (충북대학교 의과대학 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 김혜리 (충북대학교 심리학과) ;
  • 이상익 (충북대학교 의과대학 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 신철진 (충북대학교 의과대학 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 김시경 (충북대학교 의과대학 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 주가원 (충북대학교 의과대학 정신건강의학교실) ;
  • 엄진섭 (충북대학교 심리학과) ;
  • 정명숙 (꽃동네대학교 복지심리학과) ;
  • 박민 (나사렛대학교 심리재활학과) ;
  • 문은옥 (충북대학교 심리학과) ;
  • 천영운 (충북대학교 심리학과)
  • Received : 2014.01.13
  • Accepted : 2014.01.22
  • Published : 2014.02.28
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Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate gender difference in empathic ability and recognition of facial emotion expression in schizophrenic patients. Methods Twenty-two schizophrenic outpatients (11 men and 11 women) and controls (10 men and 12 women) performed both the scale of Empathic Quotient (EQ) and facial emotion recognition test. We compared the scores of EQ and the facial emotion recognition test among each group according to diagnosis and gender. Results We found a significant sex difference in the scores of EQ and the facial emotion recognition test in the schizophrenic patients. And there were significantly negative correlation between the score of the facial emotion recognition test and the scores of Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) in female schizophrenic patients. However, in male schizophrenic patients, there were no significant correlations between the score of each test and the scores of PANSS. Conclusions This study suggests that the sex difference in empathic ability and facial emotion recognition would be very important in chronic schizophrenic patients. Investigation of sex effects in empathic ability and facial emotion recognition in chronic schizophrenic patients would present an important solution for constructing optimal rehabilitation program.

Keywords

References

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