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Bosco FM, Colle L, Salvini R, Gabbatore I. A machine-learning approach to investigating the complexity of theory of mind in individuals with schizophrenia. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30693. [PMID: 38756573 PMCID: PMC11096895 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Individuals with schizophrenia have difficulty attributing mental states to themselves and to others - Theory of Mind (ToM). ToM is a complex, multifaceted theoretical construct comprising first and second order, first and third person, egocentric and allocentric perspective, and cognitive and affective ToM. Most studies addressing ToM deficit in people with schizophrenia consider it an "all-or-nothing" ability and use a classical statistical methodology to test a null hypothesis. With the present study, we investigated ToM in individuals with schizophrenia, considering its complex nature and degrees of impairment. To do this, we used a machine-learning approach to detect patterns in heterogeneous and multivariate data. Our findings highlight the complex nature of ToM deficit in individuals with schizophrenia and reveal the relationship between various different aspects of ToM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Livia Colle
- University of Turin, Department of Psychology, GIPSI Research Group, Italy
- Terzo Centro di Psicoterapia Cognitiva, Roma
| | - Rogerio Salvini
- Instituto de Informática, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Ilaria Gabbatore
- University of Turin, Department of Psychology, GIPSI Research Group, Italy
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2
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Arabadzhiev Z, Paunova R. Complexity of mentalization. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1353804. [PMID: 38487663 PMCID: PMC10937435 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1353804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to understand other people’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors is associated with an individual’s ability and his attitude in the context of relationships. The development of this process is associated with different psychosocial factors: parental competence, building a secure attachment and reduced risk of violence in the family as well as the future intrapersonal relationships and social reality of one person Mentalization is empirically associated with resolving psychological tasks in normative dilemmas and also, can influence on the outcome of personal and situational crises. And so forth, passing through the different stages of life and prevention of dysfunctional patterns in the family is facilitated. This text aims to investigate the main characteristics of mentalization, its connection with the etiopathogenesis of some main mental disorders, their course and prognosis. Several studies in recent years confirmed that these connections can enroll mentalization to prevention and psychological therapy in some mental disorders and dysfunctional thinking patterns. On the other hand, it serves as a basis for psychotherapeutic competence expressed in the ability to connect, differentiate, and separate, as the main interactional stages of the psychotherapeutic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatoslav Arabadzhiev
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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De Salve F, Rossi C, Oasi O. Mentalizing in individuals with state and trait risk for psychosis: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1214385. [PMID: 37915797 PMCID: PMC10616828 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1214385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mentalization is an umbrella concept defined as the ability to interpret one's and others' mental states. Previous studies have hypothesized that mentalization may be a crucial resilience factor that significantly moderates the likelihood of developing psychotic disorders in individuals with both state and trait risk factors for the illness. Purpose The study reviews the role of mentalizing abilities (e.g., reflective functioning, Theory of Mind (ToM), and metacognition) in young adults with At-Risk Mental States (ARMS) and schizotypal traits. Specifically, the objective is to include articles that (a) evaluate the links between low mentalizing and both state (ARMS/CHR) and trait (schizotypy) risk for psychosis (b) compare the differences in mentalizing abilities between individuals with ARMS, schizotypy, full-blown psychosis, and healthy controls. Method Electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were used to search for articles, while Rayyan was employed to facilitate the screening and selection of studies. Eligible studies are original English-language; peer-reviewed research articles on populations that met validated risk diagnostic criteria for psychosis, ARMS, and healthy controls; empirical studies evaluating the association or differences between psychotic risk and mentalizing abilities. Non-English language studies, the ones not considering state or trait risk for psychosis, and qualitative studies were excluded. After the application of the PRISMA checklist and the inclusion and exclusion criteria previously mentioned, 10 articles were extracted. The systematic review has been registered on Prospero (CRD42023397594). Results Low levels of reflective functioning and metacognition may predict a transition to psychosis. In addition, reflective functioning and metacognitive impairments are associated with attenuated psychotic symptoms in both state risk groups and in non-clinical individuals with schizotypal traits. Concerning ToM tasks, mixed results emerged. Conclusion The results obtained from the review suggest that the application of strategies to attenuate maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and low mentalization may be equally effective in improving psychotic symptoms. The assessment of mentalization and metacognition could potentially provide additional prognostic value over factors predisposing to psychosis. Good mentalization and metacognition functioning should be considered as protective factors able to minimize the transition to psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Salve
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Rossi
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
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Concerto C, Rodolico A, Mineo L, Ciancio A, Marano L, Romano CB, Scavo EV, Spigarelli R, Fusar-Poli L, Furnari R, Petralia A, Signorelli MS. Exploring Personal Recovery in Schizophrenia: The Role of Mentalization. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4090. [PMID: 37373783 PMCID: PMC10299717 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12124090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recovery is a broadly debated concept in the field of psychiatry research and in schizophrenia. Our study aims to understand the correlation between personal recovery from schizophrenia and factors such as mentalization, disability, quality of life, and antipsychotic side effects; Methods: Participants with schizophrenia (according to DSM-5 criteria) were consecutively recruited from the Psychiatry Unit of the University of Catania, Italy. Participants were assessed with the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), the Multidimensional Mentalizing Questionnaire (MMQ), the brief version of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS), the EuroQoL-5 dimensions-5 levels, the Insight Orientation Scale (IOS) and the Glasgow Antipsychotic Side Effect Scale (GASS); Results: 81 patients were included. Our findings showed a positive correlation between RAS total scores and MMQ scores, especially in "good mentalizing" subdomains. IOS scores also had a positive association with RAS and MMQ scores. In contrast, poor mentalizing abilities negatively correlated with WHO-DAS 2.0 scores. While antipsychotic side effects influenced functioning, they did not impact perceived recovery. Conclusions: The study's results identified potential predictors of personal recovery from schizophrenia. These findings could contribute to creating tailored interventions to facilitate the recovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Concerto
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Alessandro Rodolico
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Ludovico Mineo
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Alessia Ciancio
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Leonardo Marano
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Carla Benedicta Romano
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Elisa Vita Scavo
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Riccardo Spigarelli
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Laura Fusar-Poli
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Rosaria Furnari
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Antonino Petralia
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Maria Salvina Signorelli
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (C.C.); (A.C.); (E.V.S.); (A.P.); (M.S.S.)
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Zhang H, Parola A, Zhou Y, Wang H, Bliksted V, Fusaroli R, Hinzen W. Linguistic markers of psychosis in Mandarin Chinese: Relations to theory of mind. Psychiatry Res 2023; 325:115253. [PMID: 37245483 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Disorganized and impoverished language is a key feature of schizophrenia (Sz), but whether and which linguistic changes previously observed in Indo-European languages generalize to other languages remains unclear. Targeting Mandarin Chinese, we aimed to profile aspects of grammatical complexity that we hypothesized would be reduced in schizophrenia in a task of verbalizing social events. 51 individuals with Sz and 39 controls participated in the animated triangles task, a standardized measure of theory of mind (ToM), in which participants describe triangles moving in either a random or an 'intentional' condition. Results revealed that clauses embedded as arguments in other clauses were reduced in Sz, and that both groups produced such clauses and grammatical aspect more frequently in the intentional condition. ToM scores specifically correlated with production of embedded argument clauses. These results document grammatical impoverishment in Sz in Chinese across several structural domains, which in some of its specific aspects relate to mentalizing performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Department of Translation and Language Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Carrer de Roc Boronat, 138, Barcelona 08018, Spain.
| | - Alberto Parola
- Department of Linguistics, Semiotics and Cognitive Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; The Interacting Minds Centre, Institute of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiling Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Vibeke Bliksted
- The Interacting Minds Centre, Institute of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Psychosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Riccardo Fusaroli
- Department of Linguistics, Semiotics and Cognitive Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; The Interacting Minds Centre, Institute of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Linguistic Data Consortium, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Wolfram Hinzen
- Department of Translation and Language Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Carrer de Roc Boronat, 138, Barcelona 08018, Spain; Catalan Institute for Advanced Studies and Research (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Mentalization Scale in the general population and patients with schizophrenia: A multicenter study in China. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04093-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Goh KK, Lu ML. Relationship between the domains of theory of mind, social dysfunction, and oxytocin in schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 155:420-429. [PMID: 36182771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Social dysfunction, manifested by impaired social cognition, is contributing to poorer prognosis of patients with schizophrenia. Growing evidence indicates that oxytocin acts as a neurotransmitter in the regulation of social cognition. It still lacks a thorough understanding of how oxytocin is linked with deficits in social cognition and social functioning in schizophrenia. To this end, we aimed to study the role of plasma oxytocin levels in the relationship between subdomains of social cognition and social dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. Social Functioning Scale was administered to measure social dysfunction while Faux Pas Recognition Test was used to assess the Theory of Mind (ToM) in 40 patients with schizophrenia and 40 age-matched healthy controls. Patients with schizophrenia exhibited more deficits in ToM, more severe social dysfunction, and had lower plasma oxytocin levels, relative to healthy controls. A pooled correlation analysis of all participants revealed significant effects of plasma oxytocin levels on the ToM and social dysfunction. In patients with schizophrenia, plasma oxytocin levels were positively correlated with the affective but not cognitive component of the ToM, and the effects of plasma oxytocin levels on social functioning were partially mediated by affective ToM. Our findings underscore the importance of oxytocin as a potential predictor of ToM and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia. It may be worthwhile for future studies of oxytocin in schizophrenia to focus on an affected behavioral domain, e.g., social cognition, rather than diagnosis, and the targeted domain should be deconstructed into more detailed subdomains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Kheng Goh
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mong-Liang Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Felsenheimer AK, Kieckhäfer C, Rapp AM. Irony detection in patients with borderline personality disorder: an experimental study examining schizotypal traits, response biases and empathy. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2022; 9:24. [PMID: 36192806 PMCID: PMC9531442 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-022-00194-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In verbal irony we often convey meanings that oppose the literal words. To look behind these words, we need to integrate perspectives of ourselves, others, and their beliefs about us. Although patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience problems in social cognition and schizotypal symptoms, research on irony comprehension mainly focused on the schizophrenic spectrum. Accounting for possible negative biases in BPD, the current study examined the detection of praising and critical irony in a text messaging interface. METHODS The cross-sectional study included 30 patients and 30 matched controls, who completed measures of cognitive and affective empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI), schizotypal (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire; SPQ), and borderline symptoms (Borderline Symptom List; BSL-23) and the irony detection task. The irony task contained critical and praising remarks embedded in text messages. Asking for literality (ironic vs. literal) and intention ratings (critical to praising) of the stimuli, it allowed to analyze the sensitivity of literality detection as well as implicit and explicit response biases in a signal detection framework. RESULTS Borderline symptoms explained lower sensitivity for the detection of literal and ironic statements across groups. Whereas HC showed a negativity bias when implicitly asked about the literalness of the statement, patients with BPD perceived praising utterances as less praising when explicitly asked about their perceived intention. Neither empathy nor schizotypy explained outcomes beyond borderline symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This was the first study to show lower detection of verbal irony in patients with BPD. While patients were less biased when asked about the literality of a statement, they perceived praising remarks as less positive on explicit measurements. The results highlight the importance of congruent, transparent communication in promoting epistemic trust in individuals with BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Katrin Felsenheimer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Max Planck School of Cognition , Max Planck Institut for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences , Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Carolin Kieckhäfer
- LVR Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Michael Rapp
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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Török E, Kéri S. The Relationship Among Mentalization, Mindfulness, Working Memory, and Schizotypal Personality Traits in the General Population. Front Psychol 2022; 13:682889. [PMID: 35586232 PMCID: PMC9108540 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.682889] [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: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with high schizotypal traits are less able to observe, describe, and monitor inner feelings, thoughts, and experiences, commonly referred to as mindfulness and mentalization. High schizotypy is also associated with impaired working memory (WM). However, the relationship among mindfulness, mentalization, WM, and schizotypal traits is unknown. Three hundred individuals from the community (mean age: 38.0 years, SD = 10.5; 49.3% women) completed questionnaires examining schizotypal traits, mindfulness, and mentalization and performed working memory tasks. Results revealed that mentalization was a general predictor of schizotypal traits, including unusual experiences, cognitive disorganization, introverted anhedonia, and impulsive nonconformity, when the effect of mindfulness and working memory was controlled. We also found a positive correlation between mindfulness and mentalization. Low mindfulness and mentalization performances were associated with high schizotypy. However, poor working memory was only weakly linked to cognitive disorganization and introverted anhedonia. These findings suggest that weak mentalization is a core feature of schizotypy independent of mindfulness and working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Török
- Department of Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Kéri
- Department of Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
- Nyírő Gyula National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictions, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Physiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Szabolcs Kéri, ;
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Sexual Habits and Sexual Dysfunctions in a Sample of Patients with Psychotic Disorders Compared to a Group of Healthy Adults. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030505. [PMID: 35159957 PMCID: PMC8836347 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a growing body of literature on the association between psychosis and sexual dysfunction. However, most studies have focused on sexual dysfunction and have not investigated the sexual lives of patients with psychosis across a broader range. Material and Methods: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute psychosis or schizophrenia were recruited to the study after obtaining informed consent (n = 46). In addition, healthy control subjects were recruited (n = 52). Sociodemographic and clinical data, psychopathology, and sexual functioning were assessed. Independent sample t-test to determine group differences was obtained. Results: In both the male and female groups, there are significant differences between psychotic individuals and healthy controls in several areas of their sexual functioning: the control group seemed to better perceive Couple sexuality, Self-eroticism, and overall appeared to have a higher Quality of sexual life; on the other hand, the group of patients with psychosis displayed higher scores in Sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: A poor sexual quality of life may be found in patients with psychotic disorders. Assessment of sexual function in these patients is necessary to identify and manage issues and provide support and help to patients in this important area of life.
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van Neerven T, Bos DJ, van Haren NE. Deficiencies in Theory of Mind in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder: A systematic review of secondary literature. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:249-261. [PMID: 33246019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deficiencies in Theory of Mind (ToM) are consistently found in individuals with schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD). However, the character of these deficits and their role in the pathogenesis of mental illness remains poorly understood. This systematic review synthesizes the available secondary literature pertaining to ToM functioning in individuals with MDD, BD, or SZ, and their respective spectrum disorders in order to delineate disorder or symptom specific patterns of ToM impairment. Literature suggests that ToM deficits increase in severity along the affective-psychotic spectrum, with mild deficits in patients with MDD, and severe deficits in patients with mania or psychosis. Furthermore, ToM deficits appear to be part of a broader developmental phenotype associated with SZ and BD, as suggested by findings of attenuated impairments in ToM in remitted patients with SZ or BD, unaffected first-degree relatives of patients, and clinical high-risk groups. Future psychiatric research on ToM should aim to disentangle relationships between ToM deficits and specific symptom dimensions transdiagnostically, and employ standardized, construct-specific ToM tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas van Neerven
- University Medical Centre Utrecht - Brain Centre, Department of psychiatry, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dienke J Bos
- University Medical Centre Utrecht - Brain Centre, Department of psychiatry, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Neeltje Em van Haren
- Erasmus Medical Center, Department of child and adolescent psychiatry/psychology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Bosco FM, Tirassa M, Gabbatore I. Why Pragmatics and Theory of Mind Do Not (Completely) Overlap. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1453. [PMID: 30150960 PMCID: PMC6099790 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim of the paper is to discuss the extent to which pragmatics, i.e., the ability to use language and other expressive means to convey meaning in a specific interactional context, overlaps with Theory of Mind (ToM), i.e., the ability to ascribe mental states to oneself and the others. We present empirical data available in the current literature concerning the relation between these two faculties, with specific reference to the developmental and clinical domains. Part of the literature we take into account appears to show that ToM does correlate with pragmatic ability; however, other studies appear to show that pragmatic ability alone cannot explain the empirical differences of performance across different kinds of pragmatic tasks, and therefore that another, at least partially different faculty is required to account for human communication. We argue that to conceive pragmatics as a sort of subcomponent of ToM, and thus to conflate or reduce the notion of pragmatics into the (wider) notion of ToM, is not theoretically correct and a possible cause of methodological confusion in the relevant empirical research. It thus turns out to be necessary that the two faculties be investigated with separate theories as well as different experimental tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M. Bosco
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Gabbatore
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Faculty of Humanities, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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