Investigating fear of positive evaluation in schizophrenia

Fear of Positive Evaluation (FPE) was initially identified as an aspect of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Subsequent studies have indicated FPE also plays a significant role in other psychiatric disorders. To date, however, FPE has not been examined in schizophrenia Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate FPE in schizophrenia. Inpatients with schizophrenia (n = 34) were compared with individuals with SAD (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30) in terms of FPE. Furthermore, the relationships between FPE and anhedonia, social anxiety, fear of negative evaluation were examined. The schizophrenia and SAD groups demonstrated significantly higher levels of FPE compared to healthy controls. Individuals with schizophrenia did not significantly differ in FPE from those with SAD. All factors including social anxiety, anhedonia, and fear of negative evaluation were significantly associated with FPE, with the association being stronger for social anxiety.Individuals with schizophrenia, similar to those with SAD, exhibit significantly high levels of FPE. This fear is associated with social anxiety, anhedonia, and fear of negative evaluation. Clinical interventions may benefit from targeting FPE when working with clients with schizophrenia. Further research in this area is needed.