title: Current developments and challenges in the assessment of negative symptoms.
abstract: Reliable and valid assessment of negative symptoms is crucial to further develop etiological models and improve treatments. Our understanding of the concept of negative symptoms has undergone significant advances since the introduction of quantitative assessments of negative symptoms in the 1980s. These include the conceptualization of cognitive dysfunction as separate from negative symptoms and the distinction of two main negative symptom factors (avolition and diminished expression). In this review we provide an overview of existing negative symptom scales, focusing on both observer-rated and self-rated measurement of negative symptoms. We also distinguish between measures that assess negative symptoms as part of a broader assessment of schizophrenia symptoms, those specifically developed for negative symptoms and those that assess specific domains of negative symptoms within and beyond the context of psychotic disorders. We critically discuss strengths and limitations of these measures in the light of some existing challenges, i.e. observed and subjective symptom experiences, the challenge of distinguishing between primary and secondary negative symptoms, and the overlap between negative symptoms and related factors (e.g. personality traits and premorbid functioning). This review is aimed to inform the ongoing development of negative symptom scales.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Movement Sciences, University of Hamburg, Von-Melle-Park 5, 20146 Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: tania.lincoln@uni-hamburg.de.
authors.forename: Tania M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lincoln
authors.affiliation: CHU de Caen, Service universitaire de Psychiatrie, Centre Esquirol, Avenue Côte de Nacre, Caen F-14000, France; UNICAEN, UFR Médecine, F-14074 Caen, France.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dollfus
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, North Dublin Mental Health Services, Ashlin Centre, Beaumont Road, Dublin 9, Ireland; Dublin and East Treatment and Early Care Team, Avila House, Blackrock Business Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lyne
mesh_terms: D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
keywords: Assessment; Measurement; Negative symptoms; Observer-rating; Psychometric properties; Self-rating