Insight, symptoms and executive functions in schizophrenia.

Full Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
We investigated the relationship of insight with executive functions and symptoms in a group of stabilised inpatients with schizophrenia.

METHODS:
Executive functions using an extensive battery constituted of several tests as well as psychopathology were assessed in 38 inpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia. Insight was assessed with the Scale to assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD).

RESULTS:
A principal component analysis of the insight dimensions revealed a three-factor model which accounted for 98% of the variance. Of particular interest is the finding that a composite factor that accounted for 74% of the variance covered insight dimensions that represent a higher degree of insight (awareness of mental disorder, its social consequences, and attribution of symptoms). Only an association between letter fluency and this composite factor was found, which was weakly mediated by depressive symptoms. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed a relationship between antipsychotic dose and awareness of medication effect. No association of illness duration and insight was found.

CONCLUSIONS:
The findings of partial association between dimensions of insight and measures of executive function supports the growing evidence that insight is a multidimensional phenomenon. Accordingly, they emphasise that in the framework of therapeutic interventions, enhancement of higher levels of insight needs to take into account that patients suffering from schizophrenia have differential impairment in insight dimensions.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Simon, Andor E (AE); Berger, Gregor E (GE); Giacomini, Véronique (V); Ferrero, François (F); Mohr, Sylvia (S);

Affiliation: Psychiatric Outpatient Services, Specialised Programme for Early Psychosis, Bruderholz, Switzerland. andor.simon(-atsign-)tiscalinet.ch

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Cognitive neuropsychiatry (Cognit Neuropsychiatry), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Sep; vol 11 (issue 5) : pp 437-51

Dates: Created 2007/03/13; Completed 2007/04/02;

PMID: 17354080, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use
Female
Humans
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Principal Component Analysis

Principal Component Analysis
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Regression Analysis
Schizophrenia - physiopathology
Schizophrenic Psychology
Self Concept
Socioeconomic Factors

Associated Chemicals: Antipsychotic Agents (0)

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.