Metacognition amidst narratives of self and illness in schizophrenia: associations with neurocognition, symptoms, insight and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Impairments in laboratory tasks of metacognition appear to be associated with symptoms, functioning, and neurocognition in schizophrenia. We sought to replicate these results in a study of metacognition within personal narratives of self and illness.


METHODS
Narratives of 61 men with schizophrenia were rated using the Metacognition Assessment Scale and correlated with concurrent assessment of symptoms, quality of life, neurocognition and insight.


RESULTS
Controlling for age and education, understanding of one's own mind was linked with better neurocognition across multiple domains, and lesser emotional withdrawal. Greater understanding of other's mind was linked with better verbal memory and less emotional withdrawal. Greater metacognition in the context of purposeful problem solving was associated with better verbal memory, insight and social function, and less emotional withdrawal and paranoia.


CONCLUSIONS
Deficits in metacognition within the narratives of persons with schizophrenia are linked with symptoms, quality of life, neurocognition and poorer awareness of illness.
Lysaker
P H
PH
Roudebush VA Medical Center and the Psychiatry Department, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, 46202, USA. plysaker@iupui.edu
Carcione
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Dimaggio
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Johannesen
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Nicolò
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Procacci
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Semerari
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D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index