Self-esteem in schizophrenia: relationships between self-evaluation, family attitudes, and symptomatology.
Participants with schizophrenia (N = 59) were assessed on self-evaluation, symptomatology, and positive and negative affect (expressed emotion) from significant others. An interview-based measure of self-evaluation was used and two independent dimensions of self-esteem were derived: negative and positive evaluation of self. As predicted, negative self-evaluation was strongly associated with positive symptoms, a more critical attitude from family members was associated with greater negative self-evaluation, and analyses supported a model whereby the impact of criticism on patients' positive symptoms was mediated by its association with negative self-evaluation. The interview-based method of self-esteem assessment was found to be superior to the questionnaire because its predictive effects remained after depressed mood was accounted for.
Barrowclough
Christine
C
Academic Division of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Manchester, United Kingdom. christine.barrowclough@man.ac.uk
Tarrier
Nicholas
N
Humphreys
Lloyd
L
Ward
Jonathan
J
Gregg
Lynsey
L
Andrews
Bernice
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires