Hyper-theory-of-mind in children with Psychotic Experiences.
BACKGROUND
Alterations in Theory-of-Mind (ToM) are associated with psychotic disorder. In addition, studies in children have documented that alterations in ToM are associated with Psychotic Experiences (PE). Our aim was to examine associations between an exaggerated type of ToM (HyperToM) and PE in children. Children with this type of alteration in ToM infer mental states when none are obviously suggested, and predict behaviour on the basis of these erroneous beliefs. Individuals with HyperToM do not appear to have a conceptual deficit (i.e. lack of representational abilities), but rather they apply their theory of the minds of others in an incorrect or biased way.


METHODS
Hypotheses were tested in two studies with two independent samples: (i) a general population sample of 1630 Danish children aged 11-12 years, (ii) a population-based sample of 259 Dutch children aged 12-13 years, pertaining to a case-control sampling frame of children with auditory verbal hallucinations. Multinomial regression analyses were carried out to investigate the associations between PE and ToM and HyperToM respectively. Analyses were adjusted for gender and proxy measures of general intelligence.


RESULTS
Low ToM score was significantly associated with PE in sample I (OR = 1.6 95%CI 1.1-2.3 χ2(4) = 12.42 p = 0.010), but not in sample II (OR = 0.9 95%CI 0.5-1.8 χ2(3) = 7.13 p = 0.816). HyperToM was significantly associated with PE both in sample I (OR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.2-2.7 χ2(3) = 10.11 p = 0.006) and II (OR = 4.6, 95%CI 1.3-16.2 χ2(2) = 7.56 p = 0.018). HyperToM was associated particularly with paranoid delusions in both sample I (OR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.1-3.7% χ2(4) = 9.93 p = 0.021) and II (OR = 6.2 95%CI: 1.7-23.6% χ2(4) = 9.90 p = 0.044).


CONCLUSIONS
Specific alterations in ToM may be associated with specific types of psychotic experiences. HyperToM may index risk for developing psychosis and paranoid delusions in particular.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services, the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lars
L
Clemmensen
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Jim
J
van Os
Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Anne Mette
AM
Skovgaard
Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mette
M
Væver
INTER-PSY Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Els M A
EM
Blijd-Hoogewys
University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry Groningen, Groningen Triadegebouw, The Netherlands.
Agna A
AA
Bartels-Velthuis
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Mental Health Services, the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Pia
P
Jeppesen
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D056345:Theory of Mind / Q000502:physiology*