Different subdomains of negative symptoms in clinically stable patients with schizophrenia: Determining the nature of their relationships with emotion recognition, theory of mind and neurocognition

Despite the increasing emphasis on negative symptoms and social cognition impairments in patients with schizophrenia, the nature of the relationship between subdomains of negative symptoms and social cognition remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the relationship between subdomains of negative symptoms, i.e. diminished expression (DE) and avolition-apathy (AA), and emotion recognition, theory of mind and neurocognition in clinically stable schizophrenia. Sixty-two (62) clinically stable patients with schizophrenia were included in this study. Emotion recognition and theory of mind were assessed with the Faces test and Reading the Mind in the Eyes test (the Eyes test). Neurocognition was measured with the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III. Negative symptoms were assessed with the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). Statistically significant correlations were achieved between DE and AA, and emotion recognition (DE—emotion recognition, p < 0.001 and AA—emotion recognition p < 0.001) and neurocognition (DE—neurocognition, p < 0.001 and AA—neurocognition, p = 0.002). However, only DE was associated with theory of mind (p = 0.034). Using structural equation modelling (SEM), a three-factor model showed that the relationship between negative symptoms and social cognition was stronger than negative symptoms and neurocognition (correlation −0.62 vs −0.46). Findings of this study indicate that negative symptoms are more closely correlated to social cognition than neurocognition. The DE subdomain appears to be more strongly related to emotion recognition and theory of mind performance versus AA. The current results provide more insights into the nature of the relationship between negative symptoms, social cognition, and neurocognition in schizophrenia.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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