Motivation, particularly social motivation, plays a crucial role in interpersonal functioning for individuals with schizophrenia, yet its impact, separate from social cognition, remains unclear. This study examined 147 patients with schizophrenia, measuring general motivation with the Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Scale (BIS/BAS) and social motivation through items from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Interpersonal functioning was assessed using the Social Functioning Scale (SFS). Exploratory Graph Analysis identified three communities: social cognition, social motivation, and interpersonal functioning, with social motivation, especially social approach, showing the strongest links to interpersonal functioning.

The findings revealed that social motivation is more closely related to interpersonal functioning than general motivation. Patients with higher social avoidance and passive social withdrawal experienced more significant interpersonal difficulties, while general motivation (BAS) had weaker connections to social and interpersonal functioning. The study emphasizes the need to focus on social approach motivation in understanding and improving interpersonal relationships in schizophrenia.

Reference: Hajdúk M, Abplanalp SJ, Jimenez AM, et al. Linking social motivation, general motivation, and social cognition to interpersonal functioning in schizophrenia: insights from exploratory graph analysis. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2023 Dec 19. doi: 10.1007/s00406-023-01733-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38110742.