TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Mazza, Monica
AU  -  Pollice, Rocco
AU  -  Pacitti, Francesca
AU  -  Pino, Maria Chiara
AU  -  Mariano, Melania
AU  -  Tripaldi, Simona
AU  -  Casacchia, Massimo
AU  -  Roncone, Rita
T1  -  New evidence in theory of mind deficits in subjects with chronic schizophrenia and first episode: correlation with symptoms, neurocognition and social function
PY  -  2012
Y1  -  2012-07-01
DO  -  10.1708/1139.12561
JO  -  Rivista di Psichiatria
JA  -  Riv Psichiatr
VL  -  47
IS  -  4
SP  -  327
EP  -  336
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2038-2502
Y2  -  2026/04/29
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1708/1139.12561
N2  -  Aim. Currently substantial evidence exists about Theory of Mind (ToM) impairment in subjects affected by chronic and first episode schizophrenia. In particular, in order to enhance the validity of our construct, we used in this study classical false beliefs tasks and advanced theory of mind tasks, together with the application of structural equation model, in order to examine whether we are using ToM tasks with good psychometric properties. The main goal of the present study was to examine ToM deficits in a large sample including subjects suffering from chronic schizophrenia, first episode of schizophrenia and normal controls, by observing in the same task the relationship with symptomatological gravity, neurocognition and social function. Materials and methods. A sample of 178 patients with chronic schizophrenia, a sample of 49 subjects with a first episode of psychosis and 484 healthy controls participated to this study. Measures of social cognition included task of false belief and advanced theory of mind task. Results. No significant differences were found on ToM tasks between subjects affected by chronic and first episode schizophrenia. Social cognition showed in both groups a strong correlation with negative symptoms and social function, but did not evidence any relationship with neurocognition. Conclusion. ToM deficits exist in subjects suffering from chronic and first episode schizophrenia. These impairments do not seem to be a consequence of illness condition, they are likely to be state-independent and appear to be the most important cognitive mediator of social functioning in both groups.
ER  -