title: Object relations and reality testing in schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and healthy controls: differences in profiles and clinical correlates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deficits in object relations (OR) and reality testing (RT) functions are found in schizophrenia but have never been investigated in bipolar disorder. In the current study, we examine if there are OR and RT differences in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls and to what extent differences in clinical characteristics mediates the putative effect of diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Bell Object Relation and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI) to measure OR and RT in schizophrenia (n = 55), bipolar disorder (n = 51) and healthy controls (n = 158). Diagnoses and the life time presence of psychotic symptoms were evaluated based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. We used the Positive And Negative Symptom Scale to measure current symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses of variance with post hoc tests showed statistically significant differences in OR and RT between the Schizophrenia (SCZ), Bipolar Disorder (BD), and Healthy Control (HC) groups. Multiple regression analyses indicated that a lifetime history of psychotic symptoms contributed significantly to the variance in one BORRTI subscale (Social Incompetence) while Positive And Negative Symptom Scale components (either the positive component and emotional discomfort component) contributed significantly to the variance in all BORRTI subscales except one (Uncertainty of Perception).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OR and RT deficits are present both in SCZ and BD, but differences appears to be mediated by differences in current positive and depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. c.f.hansen@psykologi.uio.no
authors.forename: Charlotte Fredslund
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Anne-Kari
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Torgalsbøen
authors.forename: Jan Ivar
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Røssberg
authors.forename: Ole Andreas
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.forename: Morris D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D011936:Reality Testing; D012016:Reference Values; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D055815:Young Adult