'Theory of Mind', psychotic-like experiences and psychometric schizotypy in adolescents from the general population.
This study examined 'Theory of Mind' (ToM) functioning, its association with psychometric schizotypy and with self-reported psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and depressive symptoms, in a community sample of adolescents. Seventy-two adolescents (mean age 14.51years) from Barcelona, Spain, completed questionnaires assessing PLEs, depressive symptoms, and schizotypy. A verbal ToM task and a vocabulary test were administered. The effect of symptomatology, vocabulary ability, age, and gender on task performance was explored. Neither total score on schizotypy nor PLEs were associated with ToM performance. A significant effect of vocabulary on adolescent's performance of both ToM and control stories was found. ToM showed significant negative associations with positive schizotypy, and with one cluster of positive PLEs: first-rank experiences. Positive significant associations between ToM and persecutory delusions and the impulsive aspects of schizotypy were found. Depressive symptoms did not affect ToM performance. Positive schizotypal traits and first-rank symptoms are associated with ToM deficits in adolescents. Results support the trait-(versus state-) dependent notion of ToM impairments in schizophrenia. ToM may be a developmental impairment associated with positive schizotypy and PLEs.
Barragan
Marcela
M
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Spain. JanisMarcela.Barragan@campus.uab.es
Laurens
Kristin R
KR
Navarro
José Blas
JB
Obiols
Jordi E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*