[Poor premorbid adjustment linked to deterioration in theory of mind skills: a study in stabilised schizophrenic patients].
BACKGROUND
Previous studies suggest that there is a deficit in theory of mind (ToM) in stabilised schizophrenic patients. More specifically, it has been claimed that poor premorbid adjustment covaries with the abnormalities in ToM skills detected in such patients. It has also been suggested that this deficit could be a trait marker for schizophrenic disorders.


METHODS
The aim of this study was to examine the performance in mentalistic skills in 36 stabilised schizophrenic patients in comparison to a standard control group. We also sought to examine the relation between ToM skills and premorbid adjustment in our target sample. Premorbid adjustment was evaluated using the modified Cannon-Spoor premorbid adjustment scale, and ToM measurements were obtained by means of first- and second-order verbal experimental tasks.


RESULTS
Schizophrenic patients presented statistically significant poorer performances in first- and second-order ToM tasks, although no differences were observed between these patients and the control sample as regards overall cognitive acuity. Poor premorbid adjustment in areas of social functioning in the patients was also associated with statistically significant poorer performance in both ToM tasks.


CONCLUSIONS
Deficient premorbid adjustment in schizophrenia may be linked to a ToM deficit that can be assessed with simple tasks.
Duñó
R
R
Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, España. rduno@tauli.cat
Pousa
E
E
Miguélez
M
M
Ruiz
A
A
Langohr
K
K
Tobeña
A
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment