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Theory of Mind', psychotic-like experiences and psychometric schizotypy in adolescents from the general population
Barragan, Marcela Laurens, Kristin R. Navarro, Jose Blas Obiols, Jordi E.
Barragan, Marcela
Laurens, Kristin R.
Navarro, Jose Blas
Obiols, Jordi E.
Abstract
This study examined ‘Theory of Mind’ (ToM) functioning, its association with psychometric schizotypy and with self-reported psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and depressive symptoms, in a community sample of adolescents. Seventy-two adolescents (mean age 14.51 years) from Barcelona, Spain, completed questionnaires assessing PLEs, depressive symptoms, and schizotypy. A verbal ToM task and a vocabulary test were administered. The effect of symptomatology, vocabulary ability, age, and gender on task performance was explored. Neither total score on schizotypy nor PLEs were associated with ToM performance. A significant effect of vocabulary on adolescent's performance of both ToM and control stories was found. ToM showed significant negative associations with positive schizotypy, and with one cluster of positive PLEs: first-rank experiences. Positive significant associations between ToM and persecutory delusions and the impulsive aspects of schizotypy were found. Depressive symptoms did not affect ToM performance. Positive schizotypal traits and first-rank symptoms are associated with ToM deficits in adolescents. Results support the trait-(versus state-) dependent notion of ToM impairments in schizophrenia. ToM may be a developmental impairment associated with positive schizotypy and PLEs.
Keywords
questionnaires, positive and negative schizotypy, persecutory delusions, schizophrenia, psychosis
Date
2011
Type
Journal article
Journal
Psychiatry Research
Book
Volume
186
Issue
2-3
Page Range
225-231
Article Number
ACU Department
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled