Comparison of the ability to mentalization in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis based on the methodology «Understanding the mental state of theeyes»

Abstract

We present the data of the survey of patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective psychosis and a group of mentally healthy people using the test «Understanding the mental state of the eyes» («Eyes test») by Baron-Cohen, aimed at assessing the capacity for mentalization. We describe the procedure for selecting the most valid test cards for Russian sample of subjects. It is shown that the results of the test «Eyes» of schizoaffective disorder patients are intermediate between patients with schizophrenia and healthy subjects, 1. ability for mentalization they save more than patients with schizophrenia. The findings are discussed in the context of theoretical models of the spectrum of mental pathology. The data of the survey of patients and healthy subjects, additional procedures aimed at identifying the communication capacity for mentalization with the severity of psychopathology (Hospital scale questionnaire SCL-90-R) and social motivation in the form of focus on the contact with others and the ability to enjoy them (The scale of social avoidance and distress scale Brief fear of negative evaluation, social anhedonia scale), as well as focus on the mental and emotional sphere of life (Toronto alexithymia scale). Based on the correlation analysis of the data concludes that there is a statistically significant inverse association between the ability to mentalization, on the one hand, and the severity of psychopathology and the reduction of social orientation – on the other