Deficits in the ability to recognize one’s own affects and those of others: Associations with neurocognition, symptoms and sexual trauma among persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Lysaker, P.H., Gumley, A. , Brüne, M., Vanheule, S., Buck, K.D. and Dimaggio, G. (2012) Deficits in the ability to recognize one’s own affects and those of others: Associations with neurocognition, symptoms and sexual trauma among persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Consciousness and Cognition, 20(4), pp. 1183-1192. (doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2010.12.018)

Abstract

While many with schizophrenia experience deficits in metacognition it is unclear whether those deficits are related to other features of illness. To explore this issue, the current study classified participants with schizophrenia as possessing a deficit in both awareness of their own emotions and those of others (n = 30), aware of their own emotions but unaware of the emotions of others (n = 50) and aware of their own emotions and of other’s emotions (n = 17). Groups were compared on assessments of neurocognitive function, symptoms, and history of sexual trauma. ANCOVA controlling for education found that the group unaware of their own emotions and those of others demonstrated poorer verbal memory, processing speed, executive function, less emotional discomfort and higher levels of disorganization symptoms relative to the other groups. The group aware of their own emotions but not those of others had a significantly higher report of childhood sexual abuse.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gumley, Professor Andrew
• Authors: Lysaker, P.H., Gumley, A., Brüne, M., Vanheule, S., Buck, K.D., and Dimaggio, G.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
• Journal Name: Consciousness and Cognition
• ISSN: 1053-8100
• ISSN (Online): 1090-2376
• Published Online: 26 January 2011