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Metacognition as a mediator of the effects of impairments in neurocognition on social function in schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Author(s) -
Lysaker P. H.,
Shea A. M.,
Buck K. D.,
Dimaggio G.,
Nicolò G.,
Procacci M.,
Salvatore G.,
Rand K. L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01554.x
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , psychology , metacognition , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , schizoaffective disorder , social cognition , developmental psychology , cognition , clinical psychology , psychosis , psychiatry
Lysaker PH, Shea AM, Buck KD, Dimaggio G, Nicolò G, Procacci M, Salvatore G, Rand KL. Metacognition as a mediator of the effects of impairments in neurocognition on social function in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Objective: This study explored whether Mastery, a domain of metacognition that reflects the ability to use knowledge about mental states to respond to psychological challenges, mediated the effects of neurocognition on the frequency of social contact and persons’ capacity for social relatedness. Method: Participants were 102 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Neurocognition was represented by a single factor score produced by a principal components analysis of a neurocognitive test battery. Mastery was assessed using the metacognitive assessment scale and social functioning by the quality of life scale. Results: Using structural equation modeling, specifically measured‐variable path analysis, a mediational model consisting of neurocognitive capacity linked to mastery and capacity for social relationships and mastery linked with frequency of social contact and capacity for social relatedness showed acceptable fit to the observed data. This persisted after controlling for negative and cognitive symptoms. Conclusion: Results suggest that certain forms of metacognition mediate the influence of neurocognition upon function in schizophrenia.