title: Cognitive-self consciousness and metacognitive beliefs: Stress sensitization in individuals at ultra-high risk of developing psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metacognitive beliefs (MCB) may guide information and attention processes, increasing affective and symptomatic reactions to stressful events. Cognitive self-consciousness (CSC; i.e., a preoccupation with one's thoughts) may increase awareness of MCB, potentially triggering the onset of psychotic symptoms. This study tested the hypotheses that (1), MCB would moderate affective and symptomatic reactions to stress in individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis, and (2), greater CSC would precede worsening in psychotic symptoms in individuals with strong MCB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven individuals at UHR of developing psychosis completed a self-report diary when prompted by an electronic wristwatch several times each day for 6 days (experience sampling).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCB moderated the association between affective, but not symptomatic, responses to social stress. CSC preceded the subsequent occurrence of hallucinations in individuals who reported strong beliefs about the need to control their thoughts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest that MCB sensitize an individual to social stressors. CSC may represent times where an individual is aware that their thoughts are uncontrollable, and therefore contradicting their MCB, motivating them to make an external attribution. The findings have implications for improving the effectiveness of interventions for people experiencing hallucinations.
authors: School of Community Based Medicine, University of Manchester, UK.
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Palmier-Claus
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Dunn
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Taylor
authors: A P
authors: AP
authors: Morrison
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D003071:Cognition; D003243:Consciousness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult