A path model investigation of neurocognition, theory of mind, social competence, negative symptoms and real-world functioning in schizophrenia

• Published in: Schizophrenia research Vol. 125; no. 2; pp. 152 - 160
• Main Authors: Couture, Shannon M, Granholm, Eric L, Fish, Scott C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-02-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Cognition Disorders - psychology; Cognition Disorders - rehabilitation; Emotional Intelligence; Female; Functional capacity; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological; Negative symptoms; Neuropsychological functioning; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; Psychotic Disorders - rehabilitation; Real-world functioning; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - diagnosis; Schizophrenia - rehabilitation; Schizophrenic Psychology; Social Adjustment; Social cognition; Social Perception; Theory of Mind; World; Neuropsychological functioning; Schizophrenia; Negative symptoms; Real-world functioning; Functional capacity; Social cognition; Human; Neuropsychological test; Psychometrics; Theory of mind; Psychosis; Negative symptom; Social aptitude; Models
• ISSN: 0920-9964; 1573-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.09.020

Abstract Problems in real-world functioning are pervasive in schizophrenia and much recent effort has been devoted to uncovering factors which contribute to poor functioning. The goal of this study was to examine the role of four such factors: social cognition (theory of mind), neurocognition, negative symptoms, and functional capacity (social competence). 178 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder completed measures of theory of mind, neurocognition, negative symptoms, social competence, and self-reported functioning. Path models sought to determine the relationships among these variables. Theory of mind as indexed by the Hinting Task partially mediated the relationship between neurocognition and social competence, and negative symptoms and social competence demonstrated significant direct paths with self-reported functioning. Study results suggest theory of mind serves as an important mediator in addition to previously investigated social cognitive domains of emotional and social perception. The current study also highlights the need to determine variables which mediate the relationship between functional capacity and real-world functioning.