Social Cognition and Quality of Life in Chilean Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Mediational Model via Psychological Distress

INTRODUCTION: To examine whether deficits in social cognition (SC) are associated with poorer schizophrenia-related quality of life (SQoL) through psychological distress (PD) in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and to outline implications for community mental health and recovery-oriented care. METHODS: We studied 175 outpatients (58% male; M age = 41.1) with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Patients completed the GEOPTE Social Cognition subscale, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Questionnaire (S-QoL-18). A structural equation model (SEM) with weighted least squares mean and variance adjusted estimation (WLSMV) tested direct and indirect effects (SC → PD → SQoL) across five domains. RESULTS: < .01). CONCLUSIONS: SC deficits are closely linked to both intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects of SQoL. These pathways support integrating SC assessment/remediation and PD management within community-based, recovery-oriented services, with particular attention to interpersonal domains of quality of life.