Theory of mind in schizophrenia patients and first degree relati̇ves and related factors

Objective: Schizophrenia is a disease which leads to impairment in psychosocial functions. Previous studies emphasize that the impairment of social functioning in schizophrenia is associated with the decrease in the abilities mentioned in Theory of Mind. Although the findings in the literature are contradictory, some studies state that the first degree relatives of schizophrenia patients demonstrate impairment in social cognitive functions. Theory of Mind expresses the cognitive capacity of a human being which is required to represent the mental conditions of both one's own and others'. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the abilities of Theory of Mind of the patients' and their first degree relatives, and clinical variables such as cognitive functions, insight, and the level of social functioning. Method: The sample includes 30 patients who are diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the criterias of DSM IV, and the first degree relatives of these patients (n=30). The control group of the study includes 42 healthy people who are similar to these groups in terms of age, gender, and education. Patients were assessed with sociodemographic and clinical data form, hinting task, Reading Mind in the Eyes Test, Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale, Wechsler Memory Scale, Benton Visual Retention Test, Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale, Personal and Social Performance Scale, Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorder . Results: Schizophrenia patients and their first degree relatives demonstrate impairment in terms of the social cognitive component of the Theory of Mind compared to controls. Theory of mind in schizophrenia patients was correlared with number of hospitalization among the clinical variables. Another finding states that Theory of Mind was related with negative symptoms and insight. It was found that total point of Personal and Social Performance Scale socially useful activities, personal and social relationships, self-care, and disturbing and aggressive behaviors were correlated with theory of mind. Furthermore, this study discovers that there is a relationship between visuospatial memory and the eyes test. Conclusion: Schizophrenia patients and their first degree relatives demonstrate impairment in terms of the social cognitive component of the Theory of Mind. The role of these impairment may be a trait characteristic of schizophrenia. It is possible to explain some of the deficits of Theory of Mind with the underlying non-social cognitive impairment. In schizophrenia, the Theory of Mind is related with negative symptoms, and it could be concluded that these deteriorations are related with insight abilities and the level of social functioning. Keywords: Schizophrenia, First Degree Relatives, Theory of Mind, Insight, Social Functioning