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Social cognitive impairments in first episode psychosis
Marie-Claude Bertrand1, Hazel Sutton, Amélie M Achim
1Department of Psychology, University of Montréal, 90 Vincent-d'Indy Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2V 2S9. marie-claude.bertrand@douglasmcgill.ca
Background:
Social cognition is a complex phenomenon involving several distinct processes. Numerous studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia are largely impaired on this domain of cognition. However, most have focused on a single aspect of social cognition, namely "theory of mind" and/or included patients with long standing illness.
Objective:
The main objective of the present study was to identify social cognition deficits in first episode of schizophrenia spectrum psychosis using a case control design and a comprehensive assessment that allowed the exploration of several dimensions of this phenomenon.
Subjects:
36 patients with a first episode of psychosis and 25 healthy controls participated in this study.
Material:
Measures of social cognition included the Hinting Task and the Four Factor Test of Social Intelligence.
Results:
Significant group differences were found on both tasks, but the Four Factor Test of Social Intelligence revealed a stronger group effect and the effects observed remained significant once IQ was covaried. Social cognition did not show any correlations with level of symptoms.
Conclusion:
Social cognition deficits are present during the first episode of psychosis. These impairments do not seem to be a consequence of group differences in overall intellectual functioning and are likely to be state-independent.
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