Exploring the link between cognitive deficit, self‐esteem, alexithymia, and depressive symptom of schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: To the best of our knowledge, studies have been rarely conducted to assess the correlation between cognitive deficit, self-esteem, and alexithymia in the depressive symptoms of schizophrenia (SCZ). Therefore, this study aims to explore the risk factors associated with impairment of cognitive function, alexithymia, and self-esteem among a representative sample of first-episode schizophrenic patients. Method:We recruited 107 first-episode schizophrenic patients (48.6% male, 51.4% female, 36.94 ± 10.73 years) into the research group, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). A total of 45 healthy people (51.1% male, 48.9% female, 32.47 ± 10.94 years) were enlisted in the healthy control group. Psychotic symptoms were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Cognitive functions were estimated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). The feelings of respect and self-acceptance were tested using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Emotion of identifying and describing were measured by self-report scale of Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20).Results: Overall cognitive impairment and alexithymia were found more serious in the patients of SCZ than the healthy group (p < .001, respectively). The patients of SCZ have higher self-esteem than the healthy group (p = .013). Total score of MoCA, ability of visual space and executive function, and delayed recall were explored had negatively correlation with alexithymia (r = −.319, p = .001; r = −.248, p = .010; r = −0.263, p = .006). Total score of RSES and depressive symptoms of PANSS had a positive correlation with alexithymia (r = .394, p = .001; r = .208, p = .032). Stepwise regression analyses have shown a positive relationship between difficulty describing feelings and depression subscale of PANSS (β = .188, t = −2.007, p = .047) while a negative relationship between externally oriented thinking and depression subscale of PANSS (β = −.244, t = −2.603, p = .011). A positive link correlation also was found between the total scores of TAS and RSES (β = .372, t = 4.144, p = .001). A negative relevanceThis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Alexithymia in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia: Prevalence, clinical correlates, and relationship with neurocognition and empathy

“…Consistent with prior studies (Fogley et al, 2014; He et al, 2022), we found that patients with alexithymia had significantly poorer neurocognition. There are several possible explanations.…”

“…This study demonstrated a strong association between alexithymia and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Notably, negative symptoms were independently associated with alexithymia, which supports previous findings (He et al, 2022; Yi et al, 2022). Interestingly, our results indicated that patients with alexithymia did not exhibit higher depressive symptoms.…”

“…However, despite the strong association between alexithymia, schizophrenia, and cognition, only a few studies have explored the relationship between cognition and alexithymia within the context of schizophrenia. These investigations have yielded inconsistent results (Gawęda & Krężołek, 2019; He et al, 2022; Koelkebeck et al, 2010; Luo et al, 2021). Although some studies identified a negative association between alexithymia and cognition (He et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2021), others reported conflicting results (Gawęda & Krężołek, 2019; Koelkebeck et al, 2010).…”

“…These investigations have yielded inconsistent results (Gawęda & Krężołek, 2019; He et al, 2022; Koelkebeck et al, 2010; Luo et al, 2021). Although some studies identified a negative association between alexithymia and cognition (He et al, 2022; Luo et al, 2021), others reported conflicting results (Gawęda & Krężołek, 2019; Koelkebeck et al, 2010). The relationship between alexithymia and clinical symptoms, particularly negative symptoms, also remains controversial (İnanç et al, 2019; Todarello et al, 2005; Yi et al, 2022).…”

The Effect of Bullying Victimization on Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: The Mediating Roles of Alexithymia and Self-Esteem

“… 60 However, the relationship has not been examined in the adolescent group. Besides, Dong et al’s research 61 has demonstrated that self-esteem mediates the association between alexithymia and NSSI, that is, individuals with alexithymia may have a higher risk of experiencing a sense of low self-esteem, 62 which may lead to NSSI behaviors. Therefore, we hypothesized that the influence of bullying victimization on NSSI is mediated by the chain mediating role of alexithymia and self-esteem (Hypothesis 4).…”