How social problem-solving, meta-cognition andautobiographical memory differ in negative subtypes ofpsychosis

[摘要] Background: Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are an important area of research due to theirrelationship with reduced quality of life. Interventions targeting defeatist beliefs have beenfound to improve negative symptoms, which are also associated with poor meta-cognitionand autobiographical memory. Understanding metacognition may help us to understandthe processes that affect social problem-solving (SPS) and negative symptoms, andtogether this information may help focus newer, more effective interventions.Aims: The aims of this study were to examine how negative symptoms experienced by peoplewith schizophrenia interact with meta-cognitive, autobiographical memory and socialproblem-solving deficits.Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 14 inpatients from the community mental healthinpatient and forensic directorate wards across GGandC who had a diagnosis ofschizophrenia and were experiencing difficulties with negative symptoms. Participantswere asked to complete measures of social problem-solving, mood and negativesymptoms. They were then asked to complete four social problem-solving scenarios, thenasked questions about their life using the Indiana Psychiatric Illness Inventory (IPII) andfinally they were presented with the AM task which consisted of 15 words and eachrequired the participant to attribute the word to a specific memory. Finally, participantswere categorized into predominant or prominent symptom profiles for comparison betweengroups.Results: Participants were found to have lower levels of avolition and alogia if they have a positiveorientation to solving problems and are able to consider various options when trying tosolve a problem. In addition the meta-cognition subscale of mastery was positively relatedto actual problem-solving performance and effectiveness.Conclusion: Post hoc analysis found that the negative symptoms of avolition and alogia are positivelyassociated with the functional problem-solving constructs of rational problem-solving andpositive problem orientation. Whilst this study experienced major methodologicallimitations the findings could guide future studies to focus on attitudes and actual problem-solving ability, which could be important factors in relation to interventions for negative symptoms.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow;Department:Institute of Health and Wellbeing

[关键词] psychosis, negative symptoms, social problem-solving, meta-cognition.