Research article summary (published 28 Feb 2008):

Emotion perception and learning potential: mediators between neurocognition and social problem-solving in schizophrenia?

Full Abstract

Social cognition and learning potential have been proposed as mediating variables between neurocognition and functional outcome in schizophrenia. The present study examined this relation in a schizophrenia group (N = 26) with normal IQ. Neurocognition was measured with a composite score from tests of verbal learning, psychomotor speed, and executive functioning. Functional outcome was defined as social problem-solving skills and assessed with a role-play test. Social cognition was indexed by tests of visual and auditory emotion perception; and learning potential by estimating a gain score using a triple administration of the WCST. Neurocognition was confirmed to be a strong predictor of social problem-solving, and emotion perception was related to both neurocognition and social problem-solving. When controlling for emotion perception, the association between neurocognition and social problem-solving was weakened, implying a mediating role of emotion perception. Learning potential was not significantly related to neurocognition or social problem-solving, and thus not found to mediate the studied relation. In conclusion, our study indicates that emotion perception is a mediator between neurocognition and functional outcome as assessed with a social problem-solving task and thus a key factor in understanding functional outcome of schizophrenia.

Author information

Author/s: Vaskinn, Anja (A); Sundet, Kjetil (K); Friis, Svein (S); Simonsen, Carmen (C); Birkenaes, Astrid B (AB); Jónsdóttir, Halldora (H); Ringen, Petter Andreas (PA); Andreassen, Ole A (OA);

Affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. anja.vaskinn(-atsign-)medisin.uio.no

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS (J Int Neuropsychol Soc), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Mar; vol 14 (issue 2) : pp 279-88

Dates: Created 2008/02/19; Completed 2008/07/15;

PMID: 18282325, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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.

Adult Cognition - physiology Emotions - physiology Female Humans Learning - physiology Male Middle Aged

Middle Aged Neuropsychological Tests Problem Solving - physiology Regression Analysis Schizophrenia - physiopathology Schizophrenic Psychology Social Adjustment Statistics as Topic

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• Relationship of affect recognition with psychopathology and cognitive performance in schizophrenia. 29 Jun 2004
• Evidence for sustained attention and working memory in schizophrenia sharing a common mechanism. 30 Dec 2004
• Deviant strategy on The Modified Six Elements Test in patients with schizophrenia. 30 Aug 2006
• Psychosocial stimuli and human plasma renin activity. 30 Oct 1977
• Awareness of illness in schizophrenia: associations with multiple assessments of executive function. 30 Dec 2005
• Differential engagement of anterior cingulate cortex subdivisions for cognitive and emotional function. 29 Apr 2007
• Neurocognitive function in clinically stable men with bipolar I disorder or schizophrenia and normal control subjects. 13 Oct 2004
• Neurocognitive and symptom correlates of daily problem-solving skills in schizophrenia. 25 Jan 2006
• What is measured by verbal fluency tests in schizophrenia? 30 Jul 2004
• Emotional processing in schizophrenia: neurobehavioral probes in relation to psychopathology. 30 Aug 1995

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.