title: The Association between Anomalous Self-experiences, Self-esteem and Depressive Symptoms in First Episode Schizophrenia.
abstract: Background:Anomalous self-experiences (ASEs) aggregate in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, but the relationship between ASEs, and depression has been studied to a limited extent. Lower self-esteem has been shown to be associated with depression in early psychosis. Our hypothesis is that ASEs in early phases of schizophrenia are linked to lower levels of self-esteem, which in turn is associated with depression.Aim:The aim is to examine the relationship between ASEs, self-esteem and depression in first-episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Method:ASEs were assessed in 55 patients with first-episode schizophrenia by means of the Examination of anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) instrument. Assessment of depression was based on the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Symptom severity was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (SCI-PANSS). Substance misuse was measured with the Drug Use Disorder Identification Test (DUDIT), and alcohol use was measured with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). Data on childhood adjustment were collected using the Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS). Data on childhood trauma were collected using the Norwegian version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, short form (CTQ-SF).Results:Analyses detected a significant association between current depression and ASEs as measured by the EASE in women, but not in men. The effect of ASEs on depression appeared to be mediated by self-esteem. No other characteristics associated with depression influenced the relationship between depression, self-esteem and ASEs.Conclusion:Evaluating ASEs can assist clinicians in understanding patients' experience of self-esteem and depressive symptoms. The complex interaction between ASEs, self-esteem, depression and suicidality could be a clinical target for the prevention of suicidality in this patient group.
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health, Innlandet Hospital Trust Brumunddal, Norway.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of OsloOslo, Norway; Research Department, Innlandet Hospital TrustBrumunddal, Norway.
authors.forename: Merete G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Øie
authors.affiliation: NORMENT K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ole A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health, Innlandet Hospital Trust Brumunddal, Norway.
authors.forename: Unni
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bratlien
authors.affiliation: NORMENT K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of OsloOslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University HospitalOslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kristin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Romm
authors.affiliation: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Department of Mental Health Research and Development, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust Lier, Norway.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.affiliation: NORMENT K.G. Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melle
keywords: anomalous self-experiences; childhood trauma; depression; first episode psychosis; gender differences; schizophrenia; self-esteem