1
|
Sainz-Cort A, Jimenez-Garrido D, Muñoz-Marron E, Viejo-Sobera R, Heeroma J, Bouso JC. The Effects of Cannabidiol and δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Social Cognition: A Naturalistic Controlled Study. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:230-240. [PMID: 35881851 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Social cognition abilities such as empathy and the Theory of Mind (ToM) have been shown to be impaired in neuropsychiatric conditions such as psychotic, autistic, and bipolar disorders. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) seems to play a role in social behavior and emotional processing while it also seems to play a role in those neuropsychiatric conditions showing social cognition impairments. Main plant cannabinoids delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) modulate the ECS and, due to their opposite effects, have been proposed as both cause and treatment for neuropsychiatric-related disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study was to test the effects of THC and CBD on social cognition abilities in chronic cannabis users. Method: Eighteen members from a cannabis social club were tested for social cognition effects under the effects of different full spectrum cannabis extracts containing either THC, CBD, THC+CBD, or placebo in a naturalistic randomized double-blind crossover placebo-controlled study. Results: Results showed that participants under the effects of THC showed lower cognitive empathy when compared with the effects of CBD but not when those were compared with THC+CBD or placebo. Also, participants showed higher cognitive ToM under the effects of CBD when compared with the effects of placebo, but not when those were compared with THC or THC+CBD. However, we did not find differences on the emotional scales for empathy or ToM. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the interaction between the effects of THC and CBD and social cognition abilities in a naturalistic environment, which can be of special interest for the clinical practice of medical cannabis on neuropsychiatric disorders. We show for the first time that CBD can improve ToM abilities in chronic cannabis users. Our results might help to understand the role of the ECS in social cognition, and their association with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia or autism. Finally, we demonstrate how reliable methodologies can be implemented in naturalistic environments to collect valid ecological evidence outside classic laboratory settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Sainz-Cort
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
- International Center of Ethnobotanic Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
- GH Medical, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Jimenez-Garrido
- International Center of Ethnobotanic Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Muñoz-Marron
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Viejo-Sobera
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jose Carlos Bouso
- International Center of Ethnobotanic Education, Research and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lemmers-Jansen I, Velthorst E, Fett AK. The social cognitive and neural mechanisms that underlie social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia - a review. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:327. [PMID: 37865631 PMCID: PMC10590451 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02593-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In many individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia social functioning is impaired across the lifespan. Social cognition has emerged as one of the possible factors that may contribute to these challenges. Neuroimaging research can give further insights into the underlying mechanisms of social (cognitive) difficulties. This review summarises the evidence on the associations between social cognition in the domains of theory of mind and emotion perception and processing, and individuals' social functioning and social skills, as well as associated neural mechanisms. Eighteen behavioural studies were conducted since the last major review and meta-analysis in the field (inclusion between 7/2017 and 1/2022). No major review has investigated the link between the neural mechanisms of social cognition and their association with social functioning in schizophrenia. Fourteen relevant studies were included (from 1/2000 to 1/2022). The findings of the behavioural studies showed that associations with social outcomes were slightly stronger for theory of mind than for emotion perception and processing. Moreover, performance in both social cognitive domains was more strongly associated with performance on social skill measures than questionnaire-based assessment of social functioning in the community. Studies on the underlying neural substrate of these associations presented mixed findings. In general, higher activation in various regions of the social brain was associated with better social functioning. The available evidence suggests some shared regions that might underlie the social cognition-social outcome link between different domains. However, due to the heterogeneity in approaches and findings, the current knowledge base will need to be expanded before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imke Lemmers-Jansen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Institute for Brain and Behaviour (iBBA) Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Eva Velthorst
- GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord, Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Kathrin Fett
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Samtani S, Meka A, Siette J. Beyond memory: exploring the value of social cognition for older adults with neurocognitive disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1209745. [PMID: 37840782 PMCID: PMC10575711 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1209745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurocognitive disorders involves progressive decline in cognition, function, behavior and needs. Recent developments have identified the need to characterize social cognition in individuals with neurocognitive impairments to support uncertainty in clinical decision making, treatment plans and monitoring individual change. Routine social cognition assessments have thus been more recently used and adopted in persons with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. This work serves to summarize current assessments and provide a discourse on the practicality of available social cognition tools, its implication in clinical practice and key future directions. We highlight advantages in establishing validated, multicomponent measures of social cognition for people with neurocognitive disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suraj Samtani
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anjani Meka
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Joyce Siette
- The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu J, Tian Y, Wei S, Wang W, Wang D, Zhou H, Zhang XY. Association of empathy with clinical symptoms and cognitive function in Chinese chronic schizophrenia patients with and without deficit syndrome. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 119:110592. [PMID: 35716800 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with deficit syndrome (DS) are known to experience cognitive impairment. However, there is no consistent conclusion on the impairment of neurocognitive features in DS patients, and no studies have examined their empathy. The purpose of this study was to compare neurocognition and empathy in patients with DS and non-DS schizophrenia. METHODS Totally, 665 patients with chronic schizophrenia were enrolled. DS patients were identified by the Proxy Scale for Deficit Syndrome (PDS). Neurocognition and social cognition were assessed by Repeatable Battery for the measurement of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), respectively. In addition, psychopathological symptom severity was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS Participants included 150 patients with DS and 140 patients with non-DS. DS patients performed significantly worse on the all RBANS domain (except for visuospatial) and total scores as well as IRI scores. Regression analysis showed that PANSS general psychopathology and education were associated with RBANS total score in the DS group (adjusted R2 = 0.29), while education and PANSS negative symptoms were correlated with RBANS total score in non-DS patients (adjusted R2 = 0.33). In the non-DS group, suicide attempts and PANSS negative symptom score were independently associated with IRI total score (adjusted R2 = 0.06), whereas in the DS group, no variable was associated with IRI total score. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that patients with DS may have poor neurocognitive and empathy performance. In chronic schizophrenia patients, negative symptoms may play a different role in cognition between DS and non-DS groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyao Liu
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Tian
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuochi Wei
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjia Wang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongmei Wang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huixia Zhou
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang-Yang Zhang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China..
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wiebe A, Kannen K, Selaskowski B, Mehren A, Thöne AK, Pramme L, Blumenthal N, Li M, Asché L, Jonas S, Bey K, Schulze M, Steffens M, Pensel MC, Guth M, Rohlfsen F, Ekhlas M, Lügering H, Fileccia H, Pakos J, Lux S, Philipsen A, Braun N. Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: A systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev 2022; 98:102213. [PMID: 36356351 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) technologies are playing an increasingly important role in the diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the current evidence regarding the use of VR in the diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders. DATA SOURCE Systematic literature searches via PubMed (last literature update: 9th of May 2022) were conducted for the following areas of psychopathology: Specific phobias, panic disorder and agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, dementia disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and addiction disorders. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be eligible, studies had to be published in English, to be peer-reviewed, to report original research data, to be VR-related, and to deal with one of the above-mentioned areas of psychopathology. STUDY EVALUATION For each study included, various study characteristics (including interventions and conditions, comparators, major outcomes and study designs) were retrieved and a risk of bias score was calculated based on predefined study quality criteria. RESULTS Across all areas of psychopathology, k = 9315 studies were inspected, of which k = 721 studies met the eligibility criteria. From these studies, 43.97% were considered assessment-related, 55.48% therapy-related, and 0.55% were mixed. The highest research activity was found for VR exposure therapy in anxiety disorders, PTSD and addiction disorders, where the most convincing evidence was found, as well as for cognitive trainings in dementia and social skill trainings in autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSION While VR exposure therapy will likely find its way successively into regular patient care, there are also many other promising approaches, but most are not yet mature enough for clinical application. REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO register CRD42020188436. FUNDING The review was funded by budgets from the University of Bonn. No third party funding was involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Wiebe
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kyra Kannen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Benjamin Selaskowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Aylin Mehren
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Thöne
- School of Child and Adolescent Cognitive Behavior Therapy (AKiP), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lisa Pramme
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nike Blumenthal
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mengtong Li
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Laura Asché
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephan Jonas
- Institute for Digital Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Bey
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcel Schulze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Maria Steffens
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Max Christian Pensel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Guth
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felicia Rohlfsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mogda Ekhlas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helena Lügering
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Helena Fileccia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julian Pakos
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Silke Lux
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexandra Philipsen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Niclas Braun
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Flórez G, Ferrer V, García L, Crespo M, Pérez M, Saiz P. The Influence of Psychopathy on Incarcerated Inmates’ Cognitive Empathy. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12081003. [PMID: 36009066 PMCID: PMC9405578 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12081003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: there is an ongoing debate about whether psychopathic traits increase or decrease cognitive empathy/Theory of Mind. (2) Methods: using a representative sample of 204 Spanish convicted inmates incarcerated at the Pereiro de Aguiar Penitentiary in Ourense, Spain, we investigated the relationship between two tools for the assessment of psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP), and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a well-known measure of cognitive empathy. (3) Results: The results showed no clear connection between the scores on the psychopathy assessment tools and RMET performance. This lack of association was stronger when the age variable was included in the multivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: the results of this study failed to detect any clear link between psychopathy and cognitive empathy performance. Accordingly, our results indicate that psychopathy neither improves nor worsens cognitive empathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Flórez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 33011 Oviedo, Spain;
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-650961659
| | - Ventura Ferrer
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Luis García
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - María Crespo
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Manuel Pérez
- Health Department, Pereiro de Aguiar Prison, 32792 Ourense, Spain; (V.F.); (L.G.); (M.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Pilar Saiz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 33011 Oviedo, Spain;
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain
- Mental Health Services of Principado de Asturias (SESPA), 33001 Oviedo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang X, Auyeung B, Pan N, Lin LZ, Chen Q, Chen JJ, Liu SY, Dai MX, Gong JH, Li XH, Jing J. Empathy, Theory of Mind, and Prosocial Behaviors in Autistic Children. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:844578. [PMID: 35401285 PMCID: PMC8990907 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.844578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has suggested that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display fewer prosocial behaviors, and the role of empathy or Theory of Mind (ToM) in prosocial behaviors of autistic children remains unclear. METHODS Data were obtained from an ongoing longitudinal study in Guangzhou, China. A total of 96 autistic children and 167 typically developing (TD) children were enrolled. Prosocial behaviors were assessed using a subscale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and Dictator Game (DG) paradigm with stickers as incentives. Empathic traits and ToM ability were measured using the children's Empathy Quotient and the Chinese version of ToM toolkit. Generalized linear models were used to assess the differences of prosocial behaviors and empathic traits, ToM ability between the two groups and the associations between empathic traits, ToM ability and prosocial behaviors in autistic children. RESULTS Compared with TD children, autistic children exhibited worse ToM ability and performed less pro-socially in the DG paradigm, while there were no differences regarding empathic traits. In autistic children, empathic traits especially affective empathy, were positively associated with parent-reported prosocial behaviors [β = 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07-0.27; β = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.33-0.60]. ToM ability was associated with DG paradigm (β = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.16-1.89). CONCLUSION Autistic children showed less pro-sociality and ToM ability than TD children. In autistic children, empathic trait was associated with parent-reported prosocial behaviors while their ToM ability was associated with prosocial behaviors in experimental condition. Our findings indicated that better ToM ability and empathic trait might promote prosocial behaviors in autistic children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ning Pan
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Zi Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Jie Chen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Yu Liu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei-Xia Dai
- Department of Children's Healthcare and Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Hua Gong
- Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital of Luohu District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiu-Hong Li
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Jing
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Krijnen LJG, Lemmers-Jansen ILJ, Fett AKJ, Krabbendam L. Benefits of Social Contact in Individuals With Psychotic Symptoms: Do Closeness of the Contact and Empathic Skills Make the Difference? Front Psychol 2021; 12:769091. [PMID: 34975658 PMCID: PMC8716939 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.769091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Social contact is known to be beneficial for humans’ mental health. Individuals with psychotic symptoms (PS) tend to show poorer social and interpersonal functioning. However, in this patient population, social contact may be crucial for their mental wellbeing and treatment success. Additionally, closeness of social contact (familiar versus less familiar others), rather than only the presence or absence of social contacts, may play an important role. Empathy may heighten the beneficial effects of social/close contact on mental health, facilitating interactions. We investigated the association between social contact and closeness of contact on mental health, defined as positive symptoms, positive affect and negative affect in PS and control participants, with empathy as a moderator. Methods: Participants were 16–30 years old. Information regarding social/close contact and mental health was obtained using the experience sampling method in individuals with PS (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 28). Empathy was measured using a self-report questionnaire. Results: Social contact was associated with higher positive affect in the total sample. Contact with close as opposed to less close others was related to better mental health: It was associated with lower positive symptoms in the PS group, and with more positive affect in the total sample. Empathy moderated the association between closeness of contact and positive affect in the total sample, in which the combination of higher levels of empathy combined with the presence of close contact was associated with higher positive affect in the total sample. However, the direct association between empathy and positive affect was not significant per group of contact. Conclusion: The results suggest that social contact, but especially contact with a close other is important for mental health outcomes: Contact with close others is beneficial for positive affect in the total sample and for positive symptoms in individuals with PS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa J. G. Krijnen
- Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Lisa J. G. Krijnen,
| | - Imke L. J. Lemmers-Jansen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Institute for Brain and Behavior (IBBA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
- CSI Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Kathrin J. Fett
- CSI Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, City University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lydia Krabbendam
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Institute for Brain and Behavior (IBBA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|