How social problem-solving, meta-cognition and autobiographical memory differ in negative subtypes of psychosis

MacLeod, Jaclyn (2017) How social problem-solving, meta-cognition and autobiographical memory differ in negative subtypes of psychosis. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background:
Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are an important area of research due to their
relationship with reduced quality of life. Interventions targeting defeatist beliefs have been
found to improve negative symptoms, which are also associated with poor meta-cognition
and autobiographical memory. Understanding metacognition may help us to understand
the processes that affect social problem-solving (SPS) and negative symptoms, and
together this information may help focus newer, more effective interventions.
Aims:
The aims of this study were to examine how negative symptoms experienced by people
with schizophrenia interact with meta-cognitive, autobiographical memory and social
problem-solving deficits.
Method:
This was a cross-sectional study of 14 inpatients from the community mental health
inpatient and forensic directorate wards across GGandC who had a diagnosis of
schizophrenia and were experiencing difficulties with negative symptoms. Participants
were asked to complete measures of social problem-solving, mood and negative
symptoms. They were then asked to complete four social problem-solving scenarios, then
asked questions about their life using the Indiana Psychiatric Illness Inventory (IPII) and
finally they were presented with the AM task which consisted of 15 words and each
required the participant to attribute the word to a specific memory. Finally, participants
were categorized into predominant or prominent symptom profiles for comparison between
groups.
Results:
Participants were found to have lower levels of avolition and alogia if they have a positive
orientation to solving problems and are able to consider various options when trying to
solve a problem. In addition the meta-cognition subscale of mastery was positively related
to actual problem-solving performance and effectiveness.
Conclusion:
Post hoc analysis found that the negative symptoms of avolition and alogia are positively
associated with the functional problem-solving constructs of rational problem-solving and
positive problem orientation. Whilst this study experienced major methodological
limitations the findings could guide future studies to focus on attitudes and actual problem-solving ability, which could be important factors in relation to interventions for negative symptoms.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: psychosis, negative symptoms, social problem-solving, meta-cognition.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: McLeod, Dr. hamish
• Date of Award: 2017
• Depositing User: Mrs Jaclyn Miller
• Unique ID: glathesis:2017-8461
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 31 Oct 2017 09:09
• Last Modified: 30 Jan 2018 13:00
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8461