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The Impact of Impaired “Theory of Mind” on Social Interactions in Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2011

Mary H. Kosmidis ,
Maria Giannakou ,
Giorgos Garyfallos ,
Grigoris Kiosseoglou  and
Vassilis P. Bozikas
Mary H. Kosmidis*
Affiliation:
Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Maria Giannakou
Affiliation:
Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Giorgos Garyfallos
Affiliation:
2nd Department of Psychiatry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Grigoris Kiosseoglou
Affiliation:
Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Vassilis P. Bozikas
Affiliation:
1st Department of Psychiatry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Mary H. Kosmidis, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. E-mail: kosmidis@psy.auth.gr
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Abstract

Given the importance of social dysfunction in schizophrenia, many studies have explored how social cognition, and, particularly, Theory of Mind (ToM) may affect patients’ social interactions. In the present study, we investigated the impact of ToM deficits on social interactions, taking into account overall neuropsychological functioning as well as clinical and demographic characteristics. We assessed 28 patients with schizophrenia and 30 healthy participants on a series of tasks including tests of ToM, neuropsychological tests focused on functions potentially relevant to ToM and role plays as an indicator of social interactions. Patients performed more poorly than healthy controls across most ToM and some of the neuropsychological tests. Correlations and hierarchical regression analyses indicated the impact of some, but not all, facets of ToM on patients’ social interactions, over and above neuropsychological functioning, positive and negative symptom ratings, duration of illness and demographic characteristics. These findings suggest that remediation of ToM deficits in patients with schizophrenia may help to improve their social interactions. (JINS, 2011, 17, 511–521)

Keywords

NeuropsychologicalPsychosisSocial cognitionSocial competenceRole playMentalizing
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 17 , Issue 3 , May 2011 , pp. 511 - 521
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2011

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