AUTHOR=Hesse Klaus , Kriston Levente , Wittorf Andreas , Herrlich Jutta , Wölwer Wolfgang , Klingberg Stefan 

TITLE=Longitudinal relations between symptoms, neurocognition, and self-concept in schizophrenia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00917

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00917

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> Cognitive models suggest that the self-concept of persons with psychosis can be fundamentally affected. Self-concepts were found to be related to different symptom domains when measured concurrently. Longitudinal investigations to disentangle the possible causal associations are rare.</p><p><bold>Method:</bold> We examined a sample of 160 people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who took part in a psychotherapy study. All participants had the DSM-IV diagnosis of a schizophrenia and pronounced negative symptoms. Neurocognition, symptoms, and self-concepts were assessed at two time points 12 months apart. Structural equation modeling was used to test whether symptoms influence self-concepts (scar-model) or self-concepts affect symptoms (vulnerability model).</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Negative symptoms correlated concurrently with self-concepts. Neurocognitive deficits are associated with more negative self-concepts 12 months later. Interpersonal self-concepts were found to be relevant for paranoia.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The findings implicate that if deficits in neurocognition are present, fostering a positive self-concept should be an issue in therapy. Negative interpersonal self-concept indicates an increased risk for paranoid delusions in the course of 1 year. New aspects for cognitive models in schizophrenia and clinical implications are discussed.</p>