title: Psychometric evaluation of the negative syndrome of schizophrenia.
abstract: In this paper, we reviewed the available instruments for assessing the negative syndrome of schizophrenia, describing their strengths and weaknesses. Current instruments were classified into two categories according to their content validity and assessment approach as first- or second-generation instruments. The BPRS, SANS, the SENS and the PANSS belong to the first generation, while the BNSS, the CAINS and the MAP-SR belong to the second generation. The NSA can be considered a transitional instrument between the two. First-generation instruments have more content validity problems than second-generation instruments do, as they do not accurately reflect the currently accepted negative syndrome (they do not include all negative symptoms and signs or they include symptoms from other dimensions). They also have more problems relative to the use of behavioural referents instead of internal experiences of deficits when assessing symptoms, which may lead to measuring functioning instead of negative symptoms. Further research needs to be done in this area in order to ensure the evaluation of primary negative symptoms and internal experiences involved in negative symptoms rather than external behaviours.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.|Department of Psychiatry, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Maria Paz
authors: MP
authors: Garcia-Portilla
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Leticia
authors: L
authors: Garcia-Alvarez
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.|Department of Psychiatry, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Pilar A
authors: PA
authors: Saiz
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Susana
authors: S
authors: Al-Halabi
authors: Hospital Clínico, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Valencia, Avenida Blasco Ibáñez 17, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Maria Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Bobes-Bascaran
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Maria Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Bascaran
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.|Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza de Feijóo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain.
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Muñiz
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain. bobes@uniovi.es.|Department of Psychiatry, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM Oviedo, c/Julián Clavería 6, 33006, Oviedo, Spain. bobes@uniovi.es.
authors: Julio
authors: J
authors: Bobes
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D063189:Symptom Assessment
keywords: Negative syndrome; Patient outcomes; Psychometric evaluation; Schizophrenia