APPROVED: ___________________________

The present study consists of a qualitative examination of motivational deficits in patients with chronic schizophrenia. In addition to persistent difficulties with motivation, all participants exhibited prominent negative symptoms. The complicated relationship between the negative symptom classification and motivation was discussed. The study included 12 male subjects, ages 27-57, who were recruited from two outpatient day treatment programs for people with chronic mental illness. Data was gleaned via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using qualitative data analytic methodology. Results indicated that, despite outward appearances and observed behaviors (e.g., the appearance of indifference often interpreted from the presence of flat affect, limited social/vocational activity, minimal efforts to initiate socialization, frequent premature discontinuation of social interaction, limited occupational seeking, etc.), the individuals involved in this study indicated that they desire sustained social relationships and were interested in engaging in some degree of gainful employment. A number of factors were identified in subject reports as contributing to motivational impairment, particularly in the areas o