Metacognition and social function in schizophrenia: Associations over a period of five months

Abstract

Introduction. Deficits in the ability to think about thinking have been widely observed in persons with schizophrenia and linked with concurrent assessments of various forms of function. Less is known though about their links to outcome over time. To address this issue, the current study explores whether Mastery, a domain of metacognition that reflects the ability to use knowledge about one's own mental states and those of others to respond to psychological challenges, is related to the frequency of social contact and persons’ capacity for social relatedness.

Methods. Participants were 72 adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders enrolled in vocational rehabilitation; these patients completed a baseline assessment as well as a follow-up assessment 5 months later. Mastery was assessed using the Metacognitive Assessment Scale and social functioning by the Quality of Life Scale.

Results. Using structural equation modelling, the proposed model demonstrated acceptable fit even when a range of possible confounding variables were entered as covariates.

Conclusions. Results are consistent with the possibility that certain forms of metacognition affect social function among persons with schizophrenia, both concurrently and over time.

Keywords:

• Metacognition
• Neurocognition
• Recovery
• Schizophrenia
• Social function
• Theory of Mind

Acknowledgements

Research was sponsored by the Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service.