Theory of Mind in Euthymic Bipolar Patients and First-Degree Relatives

Theory of mind abilities during the course of bipolar disorder: A longitudinal study using mixed models

Theory of mind (ToM) deficits, difficulties in recognizing the intentions, propensities, and beliefs of others have been shown in individuals with bipolar disorder in several studies; however, it is not yet elucidated how ToM abilities changes over the course of bipolar disorder and is related to illness symptoms. This is one of the first longitudinal studies to compare the ToM abilities of euthymic bipolar individuals and healthy controls over a four and a half years period. ToM abilities were measured using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). A total of 91 euthymic bipolar individuals and 91 healthy controls were included in the analyses. Linear mixed models were used to compare ToM abilities of bipolar individuals and healthy controls. It was found that bipolar individuals scored lower on average on the RMET than healthy controls and that these RMET scores were stable over four and a half years. The results of this study suggest that ToM deficits are a stable (possibly endophenotypic) trait of bipolar disorder. This understanding can contribute to better identification, assessment, and treatment strategies for individuals with bipolar disorder, ultimately improving their overall care and outcome.

Higher order theory of mind in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder

Some evidence suggests that patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have better Theory of Mind (ToM) skills than patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (SCH). However, this difference is not consistently reported across studies, so rather than being global, it may be restricted to specific aspects of ToM. Our primary objective was to compare higher order ToM performance between BD and SCH patients using the Hinting Task (HT). Ninety-four remitted patients were recruited (BD = 47, SCH = 47). Intelligence quotient (IQ), attention, memory, executive functions, and processing speed were also assessed. Patients with BD performed better on the HT than patients with SCH, even when the analysis was adjusted for IQ and neurocognition (p < 0.001, [Formula: see text] = 0.144). Regression analysis in the total sample showed that a diagnosis of SCH and lower IQ were associated with lower HT scores (R² = 0.316, p < 0.001). In the BD group, verbal memory and processing speed were the main predictors of HT performance (R² = 0.344, p < 0.001). In the SCH group, no variable was significant in explaining HT performance. In the context of previous studies that found no significant differences in the most basic aspects of ToM (e.g., understand other people's thoughts/beliefs), our results suggest that differences between the two disorders might be limited to the more challenging aspects (e.g., understand the intended meaning of indirect requests). No causal inferences can be made in this cross-sectional study. However, regression analyses show that whereas in BD patients, ToM functioning would be partially modulated by neurocognitive performance, in SCH patients, it could be largely independent of the well-known neurocognitive impairment.

Deficits of social cognition in bipolar disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between impaired social cognition and bipolar disorder (BD) is well established. However, to our knowledge, there has not been a recent systematic review that characterizes disparate dimensions of social cognition in BD. Herein, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the literature on core aspects of social cognition (i.e., Theory of Mind, emotion recognition, and social judgment) to identify potential areas of impairment.

METHODS

Online databases (i.e., PubMed, Cochrane Libraries, PsycINFO) and Google Scholar were searched from inception to May 2021. Studies with populations ages ≥16 with DSM-IV or DSM-5 defined BD (I or II) either in a euthymic or symptomatic state were included. The risk of bias was measured using the ROBINS-1 tool, and the quality of the sources was evaluated using GRADE criteria. The results of the studies were quantitatively measured by synthesizing Hedge's g effect sizes through a random effects meta-analytic approach.

RESULTS

A total of 29 studies were included in the final review (i.e., 12 studies on the Theory of Mind, 11 on emotion recognition, and 6 on social judgment). Overall, results demonstrated social cognition to be moderately impaired in individuals with BD (d = 0.59). The individual domains ranged in effect size (0.38 < d < 0.70), providing evidence for variation in impairment within social cognition.

DISCUSSION

Individuals with BD exhibit clinically significant deficits in social cognition during euthymic and symptomatic states. Social cognition impairments in individuals with BD are an important therapeutic target for treatment discovery and development.

Hypermentalizing and Borderline Personality Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review

OBJECTIVE

A hypermentalizing impairment, or tendency to overattribute mental states to others, has been identified among individuals with borderline personality disorder. However, associations between hypermentalizing and other disorders call into question the specificity of this impairment to borderline personality disorder. This study aimed to evaluate the relative strength of the association between hypermentalizing and borderline personality disorder compared with other disorders and to assess the impact of moderators on the relationship between hypermentalizing and psychopathology.

METHODS

The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 36 studies (N=4,188 people) to investigate the relative strength of the association between hypermentalizing and borderline personality disorder, compared with other disorders, and to assess the impact of moderators on this relationship. The Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition, an ecologically valid experimental instrument, was used to measure hypermentalizing.

RESULTS

Results indicated support for an association between psychopathology and hypermentalizing (r=0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.17 to 0.31), but the association was not significantly stronger for borderline personality disorder (r=0.26, 95% CI=0.12 to 0.39) than for other disorders (r=0.24, 95% CI=0.14 to 0.33). Neither age nor gender significantly moderated the association between psychopathology and hypermentalizing.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypermentalizing may be related to psychopathology in general rather than borderline personality disorder in particular. The findings are discussed in view of the possibility that features of borderline personality disorder associated with other psychopathology may explain the overall association between psychopathology and hypermentalizing. Clinical implications for mentalization-based treatment and concerns that the measurement used for hypermentalization may be too narrow and not representative of variations in functioning across cultures and race-ethnicity also are discussed.

A Visual Task-Based Assessment of Theory of Mind and Social Perception Within Bipolar Disorder

ABSTRACT

Evidence suggests that theory of mind (TOM) and social perception (SP) may be impaired within bipolar disorder (BD). However, it remains unclear whether these deficits are facet specific and predictive of functioning. This study assessed the manifestation of TOM and SP in a BD sample. Twenty-six individuals diagnosed with BD and 25 controls were recruited and assessed for TOM, SP, and functioning. Whereas differences were observed regarding functional outcome, differences were not observed regarding social cognitive performance, regardless of facet. Correlations between social cognitive and functional outcome domains were nonsignificant, whereas significant associations were observed between the social cognitive measures. Results suggest that despite functional differences, TOM and SP, independent of facet assessed, seem preserved within the BD sample. Although evidence was not provided supporting the utility of TOM and SP in the prediction of functional outcome, evidence supports the possible dependence of these social cognitive domains on shared underlying processes.

Theory of Mind in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Possible Endophenotypic Factor?

The purpose of this study is to examine whether theory of mind (ToM) is an endophenotypic marker of borderline personality disorder (BPD), thus constituting an etiopathogenic factor of the disease. This would suggest familial vulnerability to BPD. This was a case-control study involving 146 individuals with 57 BPD patients, 32 first-degree relatives, and 57 controls (median age of BPD and control = 33.4 years; relatives = 52.9 years; BPD females and controls = 91.2%; female relatives = 62.5%). All the participants completed the Spanish version of the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition test to evaluate the ToM subclassification: interpretation of emotions, thoughts and intentions. BPD patients and their healthy first-degree relatives exhibited significant deficits in the correct interpretation of emotions and intentions compared to healthy controls. Both patients with BPD and their healthy first-degree relatives exhibited significant deficits in ToM, which suggests that it may be an etiopathogenic factor of BPD, and ToM (interpretation of emotions, thoughts and intentions) is a possible endophenotypic marker of BPD, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the disorder. Therefore, ToM could be considered as an indicator for the early detection of the disorder of and intervention for BPD.

Social cognition in first-degree relatives of bipolar disorder: Theory of Mind and nonverbal sensitivity

Social cognition might be impaired in first degree relatives (FDR) of BD but existing research shows controversial results about social cognitive impairments in this population. The aim of this study was to assess Theory of Mind (ToM) and nonverbal sensitivity in FDR of BD and compare the results with those of two groups of persons with remitted bipolar disorder (BD), type I and II, and a control group. Social cognitive ability was examined in first degree relatives of BD, with a biological parent, offspring or sibling diagnosed with the disorder. For this study, 37 FDRs of bipolar patients, 37 BD I, 40 BD II and 40 control participants were recruited. Social cognition was explored by means of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and the MiniPONS. Results showed a significant impairment in FDR of BD in the ToM task, but not in nonverbal sensitivity. Performance of FDRs in social cognition is better than that of BDs (either type I or type II) but worse when compared with that of healthy individuals without a family history of psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, no differences were found between BD I and BD II groups. Males and older participants showed a worse performance in all groups. Group family therapy with FDRs of BD might include training in the recognition of nonverbal cues, which might increase the understanding of their familiars with BD, in order to modify communication abilities.

Social cognition in siblings of patients with bipolar disorders

BACKGROUND

Identifying people at risk of developing bipolar disorder (BD) using endophenotypes is of recent interest. Few studies on social cognition in first-degree relatives of patients with BD have shown inconsistent findings. This study aimed to evaluate the social cognitive deficits (SCD) and its correlates among siblings of patients with BD.

METHODOLOGY

In this cross-sectional study, patients of BD (n = 32), their siblings (n = 32), and healthy control (HC) subjects (n = 38) matched for age, gender, and education were evaluated on social cognition rating tools in Indian setting and neurocognitive tests (color trail test, Wisconsin card sorting test [WCST], and Hopkin's verbal learning test [HVLT]).

RESULTS

When the siblings of patients with BD were compared with patients with BD and the HCs, siblings (mean 0.6 [standard deviation [SD]: 0.2]) performed worse than the HCs (mean 0.9 [SD: 0.1]) (P ≤ 0.001) on the Faux pas composite index. Compared to HCs, siblings performed worse on all the subtests of HVLT (Trial delayed) (P < 0.001) and WCST (total correct, total errors, and conceptual responses) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Presence of elevated level of SCD among siblings, especially the Faux pas composite index in comparison to HCs, imply that these are stable traits, which are more often present in the patients and at risk individuals. This implies that SCD can be considered as another important endophenotype for BD.

Are Impairments in Theory of Mind Specific to Borderline Personality Disorder?

Impaired theory of mind (ToM) is an assumed feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Yet, no studies have compared ToM abilities in patients with BPD, other personality disorders, and healthy controls, or investigated the relationship between ToM and severity of psychopathology and interpersonal problems. In this study, ToM was investigated by the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition. No differences were found between the three groups in overall ToM abilities. The BPD group was, however, characterized by more excessive ToM (interpreted as hypermentalization). Yet, when differentiating between BPD and further severity indicators, excessive ToM was not specifically associated with a BPD diagnosis per se. Finally, there was a moderate association between hypermentalization and interpersonal problems in the BPD group. This study suggests that BPD patients tend to hypermentalize when they misinterpret social information, and that this tendency is related to the severity of their psychopathology.

Social cognition and social functioning in people with borderline personality disorder and their first-degree relatives

Background

A few papers studying healthy, first-degree relatives of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have found that this group presents attention and memory problems. However, current research has not analyzed their social cognition.

Materials and Methods

We designed an age-, gender- and education-level matched case-control study involving 57 people with BPD, 32 of their first-degree relatives, and 57 healthy controls in Spain in 2018–2019. All were assessed for social cognition and functioning using the Movie for Assessment of Social Cognition and the Social Functioning Scale; other potential confounders were also collected (marital status, occupation and household variables).

Results

There were differences in the social cognition domain of overmentalizing errors, with the BPD group scoring significantly higher than controls; however, there was no significant difference with relatives; in the social functioning domain of family relationships, with the controls showing the highest scores. Social engagement/withdrawal, interpersonal behavior, independence-competence, prosocial activities, full scale and categorization domains showed the same pattern: the BPD group had lower scores than their relatives and the controls. Relatives were significantly different from BPD patients in family relationships, social engagement/withdrawal and interpersonal behavior, as well as on the full Social Functioning Scale (both as a linear and categorical variable). However, only controls showed differences with relatives in family relationships.

Conclusions

All in all, relatives show similar levels of social cognition and functioning compared with controls, and people with BPD show some alterations in different domains of both social cognition and functioning.

Impaired social cognition in bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis of Theory of Mind in euthymic patients

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a meta-analysis of Theory of Mind studies exclusively in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.

METHOD

After the exclusion of studies evaluating symptomatic patients during acute episodes, we performed a meta-analysis including a total of 30 studies, comparing 1294 euthymic bipolar disorder patients and 1116 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Patients with bipolar disorder presented a significant impairment in Theory of Mind performance when compared to controls (Hedge's g = -0.589, 95% confidence interval: -0.764 to -0.414, Z = -6.594, p < 0.001). When compared to controls, Theory of Mind was impaired in patients with both bipolar disorder I (Hedge's g = -0.663, 95% confidence interval: -0.954 to -0.372, Z = -4.462, p < 0.001) and bipolar disorder II (Hedge's g = -1.165, 95% confidence interval: -1.915 to -0.415, Z = -3.044, p = 0.002). Theory of Mind impairments were also significantly more severe in verbal tasks (Hedge's g = -1.077, 95% confidence interval: -1.610 to -0.544, Z = -3.961 p < 0.001) than visual tasks (Hedge's g =-0.614, 95% confidence interval: -0.844 to -0.384, Z = -5.231, p < 0.001) when compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained confirm that Theory of Mind is impaired in remitted bipolar disorder patients, being a potential endophenotype for bipolar disorder. Moreover, we found higher deficits in verbal Theory of Mind, compared with visual Theory of Mind. Since most studies were cross-sectional, there is a need for longitudinal studies to evaluate whether the deficits detected in Theory of Mind are progressive over the course of the illness.

Emotional intelligence in bipolar-I-disorder: A comparison between patients, unaffected siblings, and control subjects

BACKGROUND

Impairments in social and nonsocial cognition have been demonstrated in both patients suffering from bipolar disorder (BD) and their unaffected relatives and might therefore represent a heritable marker of risk. This study investigated the relevance of emotional intelligence (EI) as part of the emotion processing domain of social cognition in this regard.

METHODS

A total of 54 outpatients suffering from BD, 54 unaffected siblings, and 80 control subjects were investigated using the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) and the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were performed with adjustment for the BACS composite score. The three groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance or chi-square test, depending on the variable type. As the three groups differed significantly in their level of education, additional ANCOVAs with adjustment for education were performed.

RESULTS

Patients achieved significantly lower levels of overall EI and overall nonsocial cognitive functioning compared to unaffected siblings and controls, whereas performance of the latter two groups was comparable in both domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to comparable levels of EI in unaffected siblings of patients suffering from BD and control subjects, EI assessed by means of the MSCEIT does not represent an endophenotype for BD.

Neurocognition in young offspring of individuals with bipolar disorder: The role of co-existing familial and clinical high-risk for bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with cognitive dysfunction which has also been reported in offspring of individuals with BD (BDoff). However, it remains unclear whether cognitive underperformance in BDoff is associated with the presence of history of subclinical syndromes associated with risk for BD. To address this knowledge gap we assessed executive function, visual and verbal memory, working memory, processing speed and verbal fluency in 21 offspring with clinical high risk (CHR; BDoff+CHR), 54 offspring without CHR (BDoff-non-CHR), and 50 healthy individuals without familial risk of BD. BDoff underperformed compared to controls in most cognitive tasks. There was no significant neurocognitive difference between BDoff+CHR and BDoff-non-CHR except in the fluency/central executive domain (Cohen's d = 0.60, p = 0.03). Our results suggest that cognitive dysfunction in multiple domains is associated with familial predisposition to BD regardless of CHR status. On the other hand, abnormalities in central executive processes might be more pronounced in BDoff+CHR than BDoff-non-CHR. Further longitudinal studies investigating cognitive trajectory of BDoff and its interaction with the emergence of subclinical syndromes are needed to fully characterize the relationship between cognition and mood dysregulation in BD.

What Do You Have in Mind? Measures to Assess Mental State Reasoning in Neuropsychiatric Populations

Social interaction is closely associated with both functional capacity and well-being. Previous research has not only revealed evidence of social dysfunction in individuals with a wide range of psychiatric and neurological disorders but also generated an abundance of potential measures for assessing social cognition. This review explores the most popular measures used within neuropsychiatric populations to investigate the ability to recognize or reason about the mental states of others. Measures are also critically analyzed in terms of strengths and limitations to aid task selection in future clinical studies. The most frequently applied assessment tools use verbal, visual or audiovisual forms of presentation and assess recognition of mental states from facial features, self-rated empathy, the understanding of other's cognitive mental states such as beliefs and intentions, or the ability to combine knowledge of other's thoughts and emotions in order to understand subtle communications or socially inappropriate behavior. Key weaknesses of previous research include limited investigation of relationships with clinical symptoms, and underutilization of measures of everyday social functioning that offer a useful counterpart to traditional "lab" tasks. Future studies should aim to carefully select measures not only based on the range of skills to be assessed but also taking into account potential difficulties with interpretation and the need to gain insight into the application of social cognitive skills as well as ability per se. Some of the best measures include those with well-matched control trials (e.g., Yoni Task) or those that restrict the influence of verbal deficits (e.g., intentions comic strip task), elicit spontaneous mentalizing (e.g., Animations Task), and possess greater ecological validity (e.g., Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition). Social cognitive research within psychiatric populations will be further enhanced through the development of more closely matched control tasks, and the exploration of relationships between task performance, medication, strategy use, and broader emotional and motor functions.

Mediators in the Association Between Affective Temperaments and Suicide Risk Among Psychiatric Inpatients

BACKGROUND

Affective temperaments have been shown to be related to psychiatric disorders and suicidal behaviors. Less is known about the potential contributory role of affective temperaments on suicide risk factors. In the present study, we investigated whether the effect of affective temperaments on suicide risk was mediated by other variables, such as hopelessness, mentalization deficits, dissociation, psychological pain, and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Several assessment instruments, including the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI); the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A); the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS); the Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS); the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES); the Psychological Pain Assessment Scale (PPAS); and the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ), were administered to 189 psychiatrically hospitalized patients (103 women, 86 men) in Rome, Italy.

RESULTS

In single-mediator models, hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and mentalization, but not psychological pain or dissociation, were significant mediators in the association between prevalent temperament and suicide risk. In a multiple-mediator model, a significant indirect effect was found only for depression. Results demonstrated that patients with negative temperaments reported higher suicide risk, psychological pain, hopelessness, and depression, and less mentalization than patients with no prevalent temperament or hyperthymic temperaments.

CONCLUSIONS

Hopelessness, depression, and mentalization are all factors that mediate the relation between affective temperaments and suicide risk. Identifying factors that mediate the effects of affective temperamental makeup on suicide risk should enhance screening and intervention efforts.

Metacognitive profiles in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: Comparisons with healthy controls and correlations with negative symptoms

While deficits in metacognition, or the ability to notice and reflect upon mental states has been observed in schizophrenia and linked with poorer concurrent and future function, it is unknown whether these deficits are unique to schizophrenia. Accordingly, this study assessed metacognition using the Metacognitive Assessment Scale-Abbreviated (MAS-A) and the Metacognitions Questionnaire- 30 (MCQ-30) among 26 adults with schizophrenia, 23 with bipolar disorder and 23 healthy controls. Symptom levels of the psychiatric groups were assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. ANCOVA controlling for age and education revealed that the schizophrenia group had lower scores on the MAS-A total and its subscales compared to the bipolar group and healthy controls. The bipolar disorder group also had lower MAS-A scores than the healthy control group. No group differences were found for the MCQ-30. Examination of symptom correlates revealed MAS-A scores were most commonly related to negative symptoms in both clinical groups. The total score and need for control subscale of MCQ-30 was related to total symptomatology and positive symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder. Correlations between the two measures of metacognition revealed that higher MAS-A scores were significantly related to lower scores on the Need to Control Thoughts MCQ-30 subscale.

Social cognition in first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis

Cognitive impairment is evident euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BP) and in their first-degree relatives (BP-Rel). Increasing evidence suggests that BP is also associated with social cognitive impairment. It is important to establish whether social cognitive impairment is also evident in BP-Rel. A novel meta-analysis of theory of mind (ToM) and facial emotion recognition in BP-Rel including 16 studies (728 first-degree relatives of patients with BP and 865 healthy controls) was conducted. ToM (d=0.34, CI=0.16-0.52) was significantly impaired in BP-Rel. The effect size for the difference between BP-Rel and healthy controls was smaller for facial emotion recognition (d=0.17, CI=0.16-0.29) and could be nonsignificant after the effect of publication bias was taken into account. First-degree relatives of patients with BP underperform healthy subjects in social cognitive abilities, particularly in ToM. However, the effect size for between-group difference is small. ToM impairment might be a vulnerability marker of BP.