The frequency of social dysfunctions in a general population sample and in different diagnostic groups was investigated by using the Social Interview Schedule (SIS). Based on the results of the general population sample, several of the a priori derived cut-off scores of the SIS were modified. The analysis of the general population sample revealed sex-specific relationships between age and different aspects of social functioning. Especially for younger women significantly more objective social restrictions, were found due to the burden of multiple role responsibilities. With regard to different diagnostic subgroups including patients and mostly untreated cases from the community sample with Affective Disorders and Anxiety Disorders, results indicate that the degree of social impairment and dysfunctions and the degree of satisfaction with different role areas are strongly dependent on type of disorder and on former treatment status. Specific findings are: (1) The highest number of social impairments and dysfunctions were found in cases and patients with affective syndromes and in schizophrenic patients, but not in schizoaffective patients. (2) Management difficulties and dissatisfaction in intimate relationships were primarily found in depressed women. (3) Unlike anxiety patients, anxiety cases, although mostly chronically ill, had significantly less objective impairments and a lower rate of dissatisfaction than depressed cases. The results are discussed with special reference to the possible key role of depression for the development of social dysfunctions, as measured by the SIS. (4) Problems were, however, acknowledged concerning the use of the SIS with severely disturbed chronic schizophrenic patients.

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The frequency of social dysfunctions in a general population sample and in different diagnostic groups was investigated by using the Social Interview Schedule (SIS). Based on the results of the general population sample, several of the a priori derived cut-off scores of the SIS were modified. The analysis of the general population sample revealed sex-specific relationships between age and different aspects of social functioning. Especially for younger women significantly more objective social restrictions, were found due to the burden of multiple role responsibilities. With regard to different diagnostic subgroups including patients and mostly untreated cases from the community sample with Affective Disorders and Anxiety Disorders, results indicate that the degree of social impairment and dysfunctions and the degree of satisfaction with different role areas are strongly dependent on type of disorder and on former treatment status. Specific findings are: (1) The highest number of social impairments and dysfunctions were found in cases and patients with affective syndromes and in schizophrenic patients, but not in schizoaffective patients. (2) Management difficulties and dissatisfaction in intimate relationships were primarily found in depressed women. (3) Unlike anxiety patients, anxiety cases, although mostly chronically ill, had significantly less objective impairments and a lower rate of dissatisfaction than depressed cases. The results are discussed with special reference to the possible key role of depression for the development of social dysfunctions, as measured by the SIS. (4) Problems were, however, acknowledged concerning the use of the SIS with severely disturbed chronic schizophrenic patients.