The relationship between mental state decoding and real-world social functioning - An experience sampling
Ronja Christensen1,2, Eva Velthorst3, Anne-Kathrin Fett1,4
1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom.
Schizophrenia Research. Cognition
|January 26, 2026
Summary
Theory of Mind (ToM) deficits in psychosis patients, measured by the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), were linked to increased social exclusion. However, RMET performance did not significantly impact other daily social interactions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Social cognition, particularly Theory of Mind (ToM), is crucial for social functioning.
- Patients with psychosis often show ToM deficits, but their impact on daily social life is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between mental state decoding (a ToM aspect) using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and real-life social interactions in psychosis patients, relatives, and controls.
Main Methods:
- A 7-day Experience Sampling Method (ESM) assessed social interactions (quantity, quality, loneliness, exclusion) in 27 psychosis patients, 17 relatives, and 26 controls.
- All participants completed the RMET.
Main Results:
- Psychosis patients scored lower on RMET than controls and relatives, indicating mental state decoding deficits.
- Lower RMET scores predicted greater feelings of social exclusion across all groups.
- RMET performance was not significantly associated with other social functioning aspects.
Conclusions:
- Impaired mental state decoding (RMET) is associated with heightened social exclusion in psychosis, but not other daily social functioning aspects.
- Findings suggest that factors other than ToM may be more critical for overall real-life social functioning in psychosis.
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