Norm Development Study on the Psychosocial Functioning Questionnaire for Depression Patients

Background Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) often experience significant impairments in psychosocial functioning. Existing tools for assessing psychosocial functioning have limited coverage and specificity. Zhang et al. (2022) developed the Psychosocial Functioning Questionnaire (PFQ), comprising the three dimensions of subjective well-being, psychological cognitive functioning, and social functioning. That scale demonstrates good reliability and validity. However, normative data for the PFQ are lacking. Methods Two hundred acute-phase MDD patients, remitted MDD patients, and healthy controls, were recruited for participation using convenience sampling. Participants were assessed using the PFQ, The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), Lam Employment Absence and Productivity Scale (LEAPS), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-6 (QOL-6), and Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, ROC curve analysis, and Pearson correlation to determine the optimal cut-off score and other psychometric properties of the PFQ. Results Significant differences in PFQ scores were observed among acute-phase MDD patients, remitted patients, and healthy controls (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis indicated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90 and a recommended cut-off score of 54, yielding a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 93%. The PFQ showed significant correlations with the SDS, SHAPS, LEAPS, and QOL-6, supporting its criterion validity. Conclusions The PFQ is a reliable and valid tool, for assessing psychosocial functioning in MDD patients. A cut-off score of 54 is recommended, with scores above this threshold indicating impaired psychosocial functioning. Future studies should further validate the PFQ with diverse populations and explore its clinical utility through longitudinal.