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Nonweiler J, Torrecilla P, Kwapil TR, Ballespí S, Barrantes-Vidal N. I don't understand how I feel: mediating role of impaired self-mentalizing in the relationship between childhood adversity and psychosis spectrum experiences. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1268247. [PMID: 38098634 PMCID: PMC10719857 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1268247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Childhood adversity is associated with the severity of multiple dimensions of psychosis, but the mechanisms underpinning the close link between the two constructs is unclear. Mentalization may underlie this relationship, as impaired mentalizing is found in various stages of the psychosis continuum. Nonetheless, the differential roles of self- and other-mentalizing in psychosis are not well understood. Methods Parallel multiple mediation was conducted for the relationship between a diverse range of childhood adversity types, including intentional and nonintentional harm, and schizotypy (positive, negative, disorganized), psychotic-like experiences (PLE) and paranoia via self-mentalizing (attention to emotions and emotional clarity) and other-mentalizing in n = 1,156 nonclinically ascertained young adults. Results Significant parallel multiple mediation models were found for all psychotic outcomes except negative schizotypy. The associations between intentionally harmful childhood adversity and psychotic outcomes were significantly mediated by increased attention to emotions for most models and decreased emotional clarity for some models. No significant mediation was found for parental loss. Paternal abuse was only mediated by attention to emotions whereas the effects of maternal abuse were mediated by attention to emotions and emotional clarity. Other-mentalizing only showed mediating effects on one of thirty models tested. Conclusion Results highlight the mediating role of impaired self-mentalizing in the association between childhood adversity and psychosis. This is consistent with disturbances of self-concept and self-boundary characterizing, in particular, the positive dimension of psychosis. Maternal versus paternal figures may contribute differentially to the development of mentalizing. These results could inform future preventative interventions, focusing on the development and maintenance of self-mentalizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Nonweiler
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Torrecilla
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas R. Kwapil
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Sergi Ballespí
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Salud Mental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Cheli S, Cavalletti V, Hopwood CJ. Threatening Beliefs About Self and Others Moderate the Association Between Psychoticism and Psychological Distress. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:819-827. [PMID: 37738457 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psychoticism is a multidimensional personality construct involving odd or eccentric behavior, quasi-psychotic experiences, mistrust, interpersonal detachment, and liability for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, as well as significant distress. Recent advances suggest it can be understood as a dimension that is continuously distributed in the population, leading to questions about factors that contribute to distress and dysfunction among people with a schizotypal liability. We investigated in a large nonclinical sample of young adults whether associations between psychoticism and psychological distress would increase in the presence of threatening beliefs. In our study ( N = 2127), we found that the association between psychoticism and psychological distress is moderated by threatening beliefs including self-criticism, fear of compassion, and socially prescribed perfectionism. These results suggest that distress increases among people with schizotypal traits in the context of negative beliefs about self and others. We discuss implications for clinical practice and directions for further research.
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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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Salaminios G, Sprüngli-Toffel E, Michel C, Morosan L, Eliez S, Armando M, Fonseca-Pedrero E, Derome M, Schultze-Lutter F, Debbané M. The role of mentalizing in the relationship between schizotypal personality traits and state signs of psychosis risk captured by cognitive and perceptive basic symptoms. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1267656. [PMID: 37810595 PMCID: PMC10557948 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1267656] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Schizotypal traits and disturbances in mentalizing (the capacity to understand the mental states driving one's own and others' behaviors) have been implicated in increased vulnerability for psychosis. Therefore, we explored the associations linking schizotypal traits, mentalizing difficulties and their interactions to clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P), as captured by the Basic Symptoms (BS) approach, during adolescence and young adulthood. Methods Eighty-seven adolescents and young adults from the general population (46% male, 44% female; age: 14-23 years) were assessed with the Schizophrenia Proneness Interview (SPI-CY/A) for 11 perceptive and cognitive BS, with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) for schizotypal traits, and with the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) for self-reported mentalizing abilities. The RFQ evaluates the level of certainty (RFQc scale) and uncertainty (RFQu scale) with which individuals use mental state information to explain their own and others' behaviors. Results Logistic regression models showed significant positive effects of the SPQ disorganization scale on perceptive BS and of the SPQ interpersonal scale on cognitive BS. Post-hoc analyses revealed that schizotypal features pertaining to odd speech and social anxiety, respectively, were associated with perceptive and cognitive BS. Furthermore, higher scores on the RFQu scale and lower scores on the RFQc scale independently explained the presence of cognitive BS. Finally, significant interaction effects between RFQc and SPQ odd speech on perceptive BS, and between RFQc and SPQ social anxiety on cognitive BS were found. Conclusion Our findings suggest that schizotypal traits and mentalizing significantly relate both independently and through their interactions to the presence of cognitive and perceptive BS included in CHR-P criteria. Furthermore, mentalizing dysfunction may contribute in the relation between schizotypal traits and early state signs of CHR-P. Mentalizing may support both detection and early treatment of CHR-P among adolescents and young adults who present with trait risk for psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Salaminios
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Research Department, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Lutterworth, United Kingdom
| | - Elodie Sprüngli-Toffel
- Developmental Clinical Psychology Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chantal Michel
- Developmental Clinical Psychology Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Larisa Morosan
- Developmental Clinical Psychology Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Eliez
- Developmental Clinical Psychology Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marco Armando
- Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Melodie Derome
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frauke Schultze-Lutter
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Martin Debbané
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Developmental Clinical Psychology Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Developmental Imaging and Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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Desatnik A, Bird A, Shmueli A, Venger I, Fonagy P. The mindful trajectory: Developmental changes in mentalizing throughout adolescence and young adulthood. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286500. [PMID: 37343006 PMCID: PMC10284399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mentalizing and psychological mindedness are two key, partially overlapping facets of social cognition. While mentalizing refers to the ability to reflect on one's own mental states and the mental states of others, psychological mindedness describes the ability for self-reflection and the inclination to communicate with others about one's own mental states. PURPOSE This study examined the development of mentalizing and psychological mindedness throughout adolescence and into young adulthood, and the interplay between the two with gender and the Big Five Personality Traits. METHODS 432 adolescents and young adults (ages 14-30) were recruited from two independent schools and two universities. Participants completed a set of self-report measures. RESULTS A curvilinear trend in both mentalizing and psychological mindedness indicated a gradual development of these capacities with age, peaking in young adulthood. Across all age groups, females had consistently higher mentalizing scores than males. For females, scores only changed significantly between age bands 17-18 to 20+ (p<0.001), ES (d = 1.07, 95% CI [.1.52-.62]). However, for males, a significant change in scores appeared between two age bands of 14 to 15-16 (p<0.003), ES (d = .45, 95% CI [.82-.07]), and 17-18 to 20+ (p<0.001), ES (d = .6, 95% CI [.1.08-.1]). The change in psychological mindedness scores differed, and females did not have consistently higher scores than males. Females' scores were only significantly higher for ages 14 (p<0.01), ES (d = .43, 95% CI [.82-.04]), and 15-16 (p<0.01), ES (d = .5, 95% CI [.87-.11]). As with the development of mentalizing abilities, female scores in psychological mindedness remained stable from 14 to 18 years of age, with a significant change between age bands 17-18 and 20+ (p<0.01), ES (d = 1.2, 95% CI [1.7-.67]). Contrastingly, for males significant change occurred between 15-16, 17-18 (p<0.01), ES (d = .65, 95% CI [1.1-.18]) and 20+ (p<0.01), ES (d = .84, 95% CI [1.5-.2]). A significant positive association was found between mentalizing and psychological mindedness and the personality traits of Agreeableness, Openness to Experience and Conscientiousness (p<0.0001). Psychological mindedness had a weaker positive correlation with Extraversion and Openness to Experience (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The discussion is focused on the interpretation of the findings in light of social cognition and brain development research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Desatnik
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom
- Open Door Young People Service, London, United Kingdom
| | - Annie Bird
- Open Door Young People Service, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, London, United Kingdom
| | - Avi Shmueli
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ilya Venger
- Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Microsoft Israel Development Centre, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Peter Fonagy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, London, United Kingdom
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Ruiz-Parra E, Manzano-García G, Mediavilla R, Rodríguez-Vega B, Lahera G, Moreno-Pérez AI, Torres-Cantero AM, Rodado-Martínez J, Bilbao A, González-Torres MÁ. The Spanish version of the reflective functioning questionnaire: Validity data in the general population and individuals with personality disorders. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0274378. [PMID: 37023214 PMCID: PMC10079014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mentalization or reflective functioning (RF) is the capacity to interpret oneself or the others in terms of internal mental states. Its failures have been linked to several mental disorders and interventions improving RF have a therapeutic effect. Mentalizing capacity of the parents influences the children's attachment. The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) is a widely used tool for the assessment of RF. No instrument is available to assess general RF in Spanish-speaking samples. The aim of this study is to develop a Spanish version of the RFQ-8 and to evaluate its reliability and validity in the general population and in individuals with personality disorders. METHODS 602 non-clinical and 41 personality disordered participants completed a Spanish translation of the RFQ and a battery of self-reported questionnaires assessing several RF related constructs (alexithymia, perspective taking, identity diffusion and mindfulness), psychopathology (general and specific) and interpersonal problems. Temporal stability was tested in a non-clinical sub-sample of 113 participants. RESULTS Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested a one-factor structure in the Spanish version of the RFQ-8. RFQ-8 understood as a single scale was tested, with low scorings reflecting genuine mentalizing, and high scorings uncertainty. The questionnaire showed good internal consistence in both samples and moderate temporal stability in non-clinical sample. RFQ correlated significantly with identity diffusion, alexithymia, and general psychopathology in both samples; and with mindfulness, perspective taking, and interpersonal problems in clinical sample. Mean values of the scale were significantly higher in the clinical group. DISCUSSION This study provides evidence that the Spanish version of the RFQ-8, understood as a single scale, has an adequate reliability and validity assessing failures in reflective functioning (i.e., hypomentalization) in general population and personality disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Ruiz-Parra
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Roberto Mediavilla
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Rodríguez-Vega
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Mental Health, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo Lahera
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Moreno-Pérez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto M. Torres-Cantero
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Rodado-Martínez
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Amaia Bilbao
- Research Unit, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
- Health Service Research Network on Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), Madrid, Spain
- Kronikgune Institute for Health Services Research, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel González-Torres
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Basurto University Hospital, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
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Thibaudeau E, Rae J, Raucher-Chéné D, Bougeard A, Lepage M. Disentangling the Relationships Between the Clinical Symptoms of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders and Theory of Mind: A Meta-analysis. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:255-274. [PMID: 36244001 PMCID: PMC10016420 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Previous studies have suggested links between clinical symptoms and theory of mind (ToM) impairments in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), but it remains unclear whether some symptoms are more strongly linked to ToM than others. STUDY DESIGN A meta-analysis (Prospero; CRD42021259723) was conducted to quantify and compare the strength of the associations between ToM and the clinical symptoms of SSD (Positive, Negative, Cognitive/Disorganization, Depression/Anxiety, Excitability/Hostility). Studies (N = 130, 137 samples) including people with SSD and reporting a correlation between clinical symptoms and ToM were retrieved from Pubmed, PsycNet, Embase, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Proquest, WorldCat, and Open Gray. Correlations for each dimension and each symptom were entered into a random-effect model using a Fisher's r-to-z transformation and were compared using focused-tests. Publication bias was assessed with the Rosenthal failsafe and by inspecting the funnel plot and the standardized residual histogram. STUDY RESULTS The Cognitive/Disorganization (Zr = 0.28) and Negative (Zr = 0.24) dimensions revealed a small to moderate association with ToM, which was significantly stronger than the other dimensions. Within the Cognitive/Disorganization dimension, Difficulty in abstract thinking (Zr = 0.36) and Conceptual disorganization (Zr = 0.39) showed the strongest associations with ToM. The association with the Positive dimension (Zr = 0.16) was small and significantly stronger than the relationship with Depression/Anxiety (Zr = 0.09). Stronger associations were observed between ToM and clinical symptoms in younger patients, those with an earlier age at onset of illness and for tasks assessing a combination of different mental states. CONCLUSIONS The relationships between Cognitive/Disorganization, Negative symptoms, and ToM should be considered in treating individuals with SSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Thibaudeau
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jesse Rae
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- McGill University, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Canada
| | - Delphine Raucher-Chéné
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Cognition, Health, and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Academic Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Reims, EPSM Marne, Reims, France
| | | | - Martin Lepage
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
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El Maouch M, Wang Y, Jin Z, Tamunang Tamutana T, Zhao K, Liu Y. Activity system, schizotypal personality, and mentalization: A study between halted activity and COVID-19 conducted in Henan, China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:930842. [PMID: 36016891 PMCID: PMC9396303 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.930842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic-related lifestyle has potentially imposed crucial disturbances on daily and long-term activities, which, in turn, were associated with thought disturbance. This study investigates how the characteristics of the activity system during pandemic-related restrictions are associated with other psychomental aspects. By focusing on PTSD, mentalization, and schizotypal personality, and by inquiring about the main components of the activity system of 852 college students (Zhengzhou, Henan, China)- including the goals orienting their activity, goals' terms and types, the motivation levels and sources, the activity type and engagement time, the flow of the activity, and how due to pandemic lifestyle-results revealed that the activity system's components have significant associations with PTSD, reflective function, and schizotypal traits. Additionally, some of the activity system's elements have a significant predictive role regarding schizotypal traits. The study considered that the life narrative during the pandemic has been disturbed; hence, this may have a crucial effect on mind coherence. Additionally, the outcomes from the pandemic context will support mental health interventions in other similar contexts where the life narrative is severely affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad El Maouch
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Psychological Data Science, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou, China,*Correspondence: Mohamad El Maouch
| | - Yile Wang
- Department of Journalism Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Zheng Jin
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Psychological Data Science, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou, China,Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Timothy Tamunang Tamutana
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Psychological Data Science, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Kaibin Zhao
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Psychological Data Science, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Psychological Data Science, Zhengzhou Normal University, Zhengzhou, China
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9
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Bizzi F, Riva A, Borelli JL, Charpentier-Mora S, Bomba M, Cavanna D, Nacinovich R. The Italian version of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire: Validity within a sample of adolescents and associations with psychological problems and alexithymia. J Clin Psychol 2021; 78:503-516. [PMID: 34273902 PMCID: PMC9290635 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to test the psychometric proprieties of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) applied to younger (13–16 years) and older (17–20 years) Italian adolescents examining (1) the factorial structure of RFQ; (2) its invariance across age and sex; (3) correlations between RFQ subscale scores, as well as the associations of the RFQ with (4) psychological problems and alexithymia dimensions. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 593 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 20 years old recruited from the community within Italy. These participants completed the RFQ, Symptom Checklist‑90, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Results The two‐factor structure of the RFQ was confirmed. However, higher internal consistency of RFQ was obtained by removing two items that seemed problematic within this sample. Using a six‐item version of RFQ, the two‐factor structure was invariant across adolescent age and sex. Significant correlations among RFQ subscale scores, and between RFQ subscales with both psychological problems and alexithymia dimensions were found. Conclusions Preliminary results reveal a short version of RFQ (six‐item) is a suitable measure to assess mentalizing in adolescents in the Italian context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Bizzi
- Department of Educational Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Riva
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, San Gerardo Hospital-Monza, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Jessica L Borelli
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | | | - Monica Bomba
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, San Gerardo Hospital-Monza, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Donatella Cavanna
- Department of Educational Science, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Renata Nacinovich
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, San Gerardo Hospital-Monza, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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10
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Luyten P, Fonagy P. Integrating and differentiating personality and psychopathology: A psychodynamic perspective. J Pers 2021; 90:75-88. [PMID: 34170512 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Several strands of research converge to suggest that personality and psychopathology can be integrated in the form of a hierarchical model of individual differences. The notion that personality and psychopathology are intrinsically linked has a long tradition within psychodynamic approaches. In this article, we first summarize empirical evidence supporting two related key assumptions of psychodynamic approaches to personality and psychology: that a developmental, person-centered approach is needed to complement a static, disorder-centered approach in the conceptualization and treatment of psychopathology; and that personality and psychopathology are best conceptualized as dynamic attempts at adaptation. Research in each of these areas supports the notion that personality and psychopathology are difficult to separate and may be moderated by severity (i.e., general psychopathology) such that increasing levels of severity result in increased intrinsic coupling between the two. We then discuss these findings in the context of a newly emerging social-communicative approach to human development that suggests that personality and psychopathology are better conceptualized in terms of a disorder of social communication, and that the purported rigidity and stability typically attributed to them are largely explained by the stability of the environmental mechanisms that underpin them, rather than by stable intrapersonal traits. The implications of these new views for the future of the science of personality and psychopathology, and for treatment strategies, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Luyten
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Fonagy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
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11
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Boldrini T, Tanzilli A, Di Cicilia G, Gualco I, Lingiardi V, Salcuni S, Tata MC, Vicari S, Pontillo M. Personality Traits and Disorders in Adolescents at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis: Toward a Clinically Meaningful Diagnosis. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:562835. [PMID: 33363479 PMCID: PMC7753018 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.562835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: Recent meta-analytic data show that approximately 40% of individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) receive at least one personality disorder (PD) diagnosis. Personality pathology could significantly influence CHR patients' prognosis and response to treatment. We aimed at exploring the PD traits of CHR adolescents, in order to outline a prototypic description of their most frequently observed personality characteristics. Methods: One hundred and twenty-three psychiatrists and psychologists used a Q-sort procedure [i.e., the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200 for Adolescents (SWAP-200-A)] to assess personality traits and disorders in 58 (30 male; mean age = 16 years, range = 13-19 years) CHR adolescents and two gender- and age-matched samples, respectively, with (n = 60) and without PDs (n = 59). Results: Differences between the CHR, PD, and clinical groups showed that CHR adolescents had pervasive and more clinically relevant schizoid, schizotypal, borderline, and avoidant traits, as well as poorer adaptive functioning. Moreover, by collecting the highest mean SWAP-200-A items, we empirically outlined a prototypic description of CHR youths, comprised of avoidance of social relationships; suspiciousness; obsessional thoughts; lack of psychological insight; dysphoric and overwhelming feelings of anxiety and depression; odd and anomalous reasoning processes or perceptual experiences; symptoms of depersonalization and derealization; and negative symptoms of avolition, abulia, blunted affects, and impaired role functioning. Conclusions: The results suggest that avoidant interpersonal strategies, impaired mentalization, and difficulties in emotional regulation could become important targets for psychosocial interventions with CHR adolescent populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Boldrini
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tanzilli
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Cicilia
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivan Gualco
- Center for Individual and Couple Therapy, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Salcuni
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Tata
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesú, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesú, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pontillo
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Children Hospital Bambino Gesú, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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12
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Sijtsma H, Lee NC, Hollarek M, Walsh RJ, van Buuren M, Braams BR, Krabbendam L. Social Cognition and Friendships in Adolescents With Autistic-Like Experiences and Psychotic-Like Experiences. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:589824. [PMID: 33519546 PMCID: PMC7843702 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.589824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and schizophrenia spectrum conditions (SSC) are both characterized by changes in social-cognitive functioning. Less is known about the overlap and the differences in social-cognitive functioning when comparing individuals with subclinical levels of ASC and SSC, while studies in non-clinical samples have the benefit of avoiding confounds that are present in clinical groups. Therefore, we first examined how autistic-like experiences, positive psychotic-like experiences and the co-occurrence of both correlated with the performance on an extensive battery of social cognition tasks in young adolescents. Second, we examined the effect of autistic-like experiences, psychotic-like experiences and their co-occurrence on friendships in daily life. A total of 305 adolescents (Mage = 12.6, sd = 0.4, 147 boys) participated in the current study. A battery of social cognition tasks, comprising the Reading the Mind in the Eyes task, Dot perspective task and trust game were individually administered in a classroom setting, along with a friendship peer nomination questionnaire. Results indicated no evidence for a relationship between the performance on the social cognition battery and subclinical experiences of autism and/or psychosis. However, results did show that the amount of autistic-like experiences of adolescents were associated with being less often selected as a friend by their peers. By contrast, no relationship between self-reported friendships and autistic-like experiences was found. Neither a relationship between friendships and psychotic-like experiences was reported. This study provides initial evidence that information provided by peers may shed light on (altered) social behavior associated with autistic-like experiences that is not apparent on performance measures, as well as elucidate possible differences between autistic- and psychotic-like experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hester Sijtsma
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Research Institute LEARN!, Institute of Brain and Behavior, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nikki C Lee
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Research Institute LEARN!, Institute of Brain and Behavior, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Miriam Hollarek
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Research Institute LEARN!, Institute of Brain and Behavior, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Reubs J Walsh
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Research Institute LEARN!, Institute of Brain and Behavior, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mariët van Buuren
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Research Institute LEARN!, Institute of Brain and Behavior, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Barbara R Braams
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Research Institute LEARN!, Institute of Brain and Behavior, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lydia Krabbendam
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Research Institute LEARN!, Institute of Brain and Behavior, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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