Insight, social knowledge and working memory in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
There is evidence that insight and social judgements are impaired in schizophrenia. The influence of these factors on the decision to treat compulsorily in schizophrenia is poorly understood.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the contribution of insight, social knowledge, and working memory to the determination to treat coercively in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Insight rating scale, social knowledge questionnaire and working memory tests were administered to detained patients with schizophrenia. Results were compared with those of a control group of voluntary in-patients with schizophrenia.


RESULTS
Detained patients scored worse on insight and social knowledge, yet there was no significant correlation between these scores. There was no significant difference in severity of psychopathology between the experimental and control groups. Results for working memory were inconclusive.


CONCLUSIONS
Insight and social knowledge are significantly, but independently, associated with the determination to treat coercively in schizophrenia. This suggests that insight and social knowledge are distinct skills. The contribution of working memory remains unclear.
Upthegrove
Rachel
R
Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, Edgebaston, Birmingham, UK. simon-rachel@tinyworld.co.uk
Oyebode
Femi
F
George
Mohan
M
Haque
M Sayeed
MS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001364:Awareness; D003068:Coercion; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents