Oct, 1, 2023

Vol.30 No.2, pp. 84-88

Current Issue Archives
Search
Advanced Search
Editorial Office

Review

  • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
  • Volume 21(1); 2014
  • Article

Review

Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry 2014;21(1):21-7. Published online: Jan, 1, 2014

Abstract PDF Full Text

Gender Differences in Empathic Ability and Facial Emotion Recognition of Schizophrenic Patients

  • Ki-Chang Kim, MD1;Jung-Woo Son, MD1;Hei-Rhee Ghim, PhD2;Sang-Ick Lee, MD1;Chul-Gin Shin, MD1;Sie-Kyeong Kim, MD1;Gawon Ju, MD1;Jin-Sup Eom, PhD2;Myung-Sook Jung, PhD3;Min Park, PhD4;Eunok Moon, BA2; and Young-Un Cheon, BA2;
    1;Department of Neuropsychiatry, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 2;Department of Psychology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 3;Department of Welfare Psychology, Kkottongnae University, Cheonan, 4;Department of Psychological Rehabilitation, Korea Nazarene University, Seoul, Korea
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 Schizophrenia;Empathy;Facial emotion recognition;Sex difference.