Cognitive and Occupational Performance in Schizophrenia: a Study of Patients in an Urban Context in Pakistan

Employment rates and occupational functioning are low in persons with schizophrenia, and they are associated with cognitive impairment. This research looked at the association between occupational performance and cognition, as well as other demographic and clinical factors and social functioning assessments in individuals with schizophrenia in a Pakistani city. The cognitive impairment and occupational performance of 88 individuals with persistent schizophrenia were assessed in this research. A series of neuropsychological tests was used to assess attention, executive performance, and memory. Standardized tools were used to assess work and social functions. Fifty-nine patients (67%) were employed, with the majority working in a mainstream setting. Work dysfunction ranged from moderate to severe in 21 cases (24 percent). When a multivariate analysis was done, cognitive deficiencies were shown to have no significant relationship with current job status or degree of performance at work. Poor social performance predicted poor job performance, whereas negative symptoms indicated employment status. The link between employment and cognitive level in schizophrenia was less than previously observed in this cohort. It was hypothesized that social variables such as a strong desire to work, a favorable work environment, and the length of years of formal schooling contributed to this group's high level of job performance despite cognitive deficiencies