Factor analysis of positive and negative syndrome scale in schizophrenia: An exploratory study

BACKGROUND: Controversy persists with regard to how best we can categorize symptomatic dimension of Schizophrenia. Aim of the study was to compute factorial dimensions in Indian subset of schizophrenic patients and to compare them with five factor pentagonal model extracted in western studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 150 inpatients of Schizophrenia with acute exacerbation were subjected to PANSS rating within one week of admission and statistical calculation done based on exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: Five factors namely negative, autistic, activation, positive and depression were extracted wherein negative factors showed highest percentage of total variance supporting five factor modal of western literature CONCLUSION: A consensus is gradually emerging regarding symptomatic dimensions of Schizophrenia.