Factor structure of social cognition in schizophrenia: Investigation of four core domains

IF 3.6 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHIATRY

Schizophrenia Research Pub Date : 2025-03-14 DOI:10.1016/j.schres.2025.02.006

Ryotaro Kubota , Takashi Uchino , Ryo Okubo , Hisashi Akiyama , Hiroki Okano , Yuji Yamada , Takefumi Suzuki , Takahiro Nemoto , Naoki Hashimoto , Satoru Ikezawa

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Experts have categorized social cognition in schizophrenia into four domains: theory of mind, emotion processing, social perception, and attributional bias. However, previous factor analyses based on this categorization have yielded inconsistent results, likely because some domains were inadequately represented due to a lack of available measures. To address this issue, we conducted a factor analysis using a set of validated measures encompassing all four domains.

Methods

The individual domains of social cognition were assessed in clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia (n = 136) using the Hinting task, Metaphor and Sarcasm Scenario Test, the Bell Lysaker Emotion Recognition Task, Facial Emotion Selection Test, the Social Attribution Task-Multiple Choice, and the Ambiguous Intentions and Hostility Questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the factor structure. Additionally, correlation analysis (n = 123) was performed to examine the relationships between the identified factors and clinical variables, such as psychiatric symptoms.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis identified a two-factor structure for social cognition: “social cognitive skills”, which includes theory of mind, emotion processing, and social perception; and “social cognitive bias”, which includes attributional bias. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit indices. Correlation analysis revealed that social cognitive skills were associated with positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms, neurocognition, and social functioning, while social cognitive bias was related to excitement, depression, and defeatist beliefs.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that social cognition can be divided into two distinct factors and provide guidance for developing treatment strategies aimed at improving social cognition.

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来源期刊

Schizophrenia Research 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

8.90%

发文量

429

审稿时长

10.2 weeks

期刊介绍： As official journal of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) Schizophrenia Research is THE journal of choice for international researchers and clinicians to share their work with the global schizophrenia research community. More than 6000 institutes have online or print (or both) access to this journal - the largest specialist journal in the field, with the largest readership! Schizophrenia Research''s time to first decision is as fast as 6 weeks and its publishing speed is as fast as 4 weeks until online publication (corrected proof/Article in Press) after acceptance and 14 weeks from acceptance until publication in a printed issue. The journal publishes novel papers that really contribute to understanding the biology and treatment of schizophrenic disorders; Schizophrenia Research brings together biological, clinical and psychological research in order to stimulate the synthesis of findings from all disciplines involved in improving patient outcomes in schizophrenia.