What the study found
The study found that day-to-day increases in social rewards and performance appraisals were associated with a stronger desire for social interaction in Veterans with psychosis. Hostile attribution bias, meaning interpreting others' actions as hostile, was not linked to desire for interaction or to later interactions.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that ecological momentary assessment, a method that collects repeated reports in daily life, is valuable for measuring state-level changes in motivation. They also suggest that positive experiences and performance appraisals are important, potentially changeable determinants of social motivation, while noting that other influences should be considered.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used ecological momentary assessment to examine factors influencing daily social motivation. Eighty-two Veterans with psychosis completed four electronic surveys per day for one week, reporting social activity, appraisals of interactions, enjoyment, and desire for future socialization.
What worked and what didn't
Increases in social rewards and performance appraisals predicted desire for social interactions. However, these same factors did not predict the number of subsequent interactions. Hostile attributions were not associated with either desire for social interaction or later interactions.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes a one-week study of 82 Veterans with psychosis, so the findings are limited to that sample and timeframe. The summary also notes that positive experiences and performance appraisals may not fully determine future social behavior, and that other influences should be considered.
Key points
- Positive social rewards and performance appraisals were linked to greater desire for social interaction.
- These factors did not predict how many later social interactions participants had.
- Hostile attribution bias was not associated with desire for interaction or later interactions.
- The study used ecological momentary assessment with four surveys per day for one week.
- The sample included 82 Veterans with psychosis.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Positive social experiences predicted desire for interaction in schizophrenia
- Authors:
- Danielle B. Abel, Daniel Fulford, Joanna M. Fiszdon
- Institutions:
- Boston University, North Shore Diabetes and Endocrine Associates, Northwell Health, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Yale University, Yale University
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-26
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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