The differentiation between 'lack of insight' and 'dysfunctional health beliefs' in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
'Lack of insight' into one's own illness is a frequent symptom in schizophrenic disorders. 'Health beliefs' are psychological explanations of one's own health status and are held by all individuals. The question is how they relate to each other.


METHODS
Lack of insight (according to the definition of the AMDP System) and health beliefs (measured with the Illness Concept Scale) were assessed in 364 schizophrenic outpatients who participated in a study on neuroleptic long-term treatment.


RESULTS
'Insight into illness' and 'health beliefs' are independent of each other. Insight is related to the current psychopathological status as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, whereas health beliefs are related to personal life experiences. Lack of insight and dysfunctional health beliefs are both associated with patient noncompliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor insight and dysfunctional health beliefs are separate clinical phenomena. Making this distinction is important for guiding research and patient care.
Linden
Michael
M
Research Group Psychosomatic Rehabilitation at the Charité, University Medicine Berlin and the Rehabilitation Centre Seehof, Teltow/Berlin, Germany. linden@zedat.fu-berlin.de
Godemann
Frank
F
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001364:Awareness; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003469:Culture; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D009042:Motivation; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011594:Psychometrics; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents