scholarly journals Empathy and perceived burden in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaria Di Lorenzo ◽  
Anna Girone ◽  
Nunzio Panzera ◽  
Gianluca Fiore ◽  
Margherita Pinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Mental Health Center ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Emotional Empathy ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Spearman Test

Abstract Background Caregivers of patients load different kinds of burdens, including emotional distress. Aims of this study were to evaluate both burden and empathy of caregivers who assist patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Methods We selected a sample of 60 caregivers (34 women and 26 men), who assisted patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated in our local Community Mental Health Center for a 1-year minimum period. We administered two scales to our sample, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES), and collected data of caregivers and their assisted patients in a 3-month period. Data were statistically analyzed. Results We reported a mean ZBI score of 49.68 (±15.03 SD) and a mean BEES score of 14.35 (±9.05 SD), indicating the perception of moderate-severe burden and low level of empathy, respectively. The analysis of internal consistency confirmed the good reliability of both ZBI (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90) and BEES (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77). The correlation between the two scales was not statistically significant at Spearman test. At our multiple linear regression, many variables of both caregiver and patient showed a significant correlation with the ZBI score. In particular, not living with the assisted patient and female gender of caregiver potentially decreased the burden, whereas clinical severity of assisted patient and two caregiver conditions, middle school education and spouse relationship with patient, could worsen the burden. We highlighted two positive statistically significant correlations between the total score of BEES and caregiver characteristics: being spouse and not living with assisted patient. Conclusions Our study highlights that the caregiver burden of patients with severe psychiatric disorders is high and is associated with low emotional empathy experienced by caregivers, probably due to a defensive psychological mechanism. The conditions of spouse and cohabitation can concomitantly increase both empathy and burden in caregivers.

scholarly journals Empathy and burden in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaria Di Lorenzo ◽  
Anna Girone ◽  
Nunzio Panzera ◽  
Gianluca Fiore ◽  
Margherita Pinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Center ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Emotional Empathy ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Fifth Dimension ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Spearman Test

Abstract Background The caregiver of patients loads different kind of burdens, including emotional distress. Aims of this study were to evaluate the burden and empathy of caregivers of patients with schizophrenic spectrum disorders and to evaluate if these dimensions are correlate between them and/or with selected variables of caregivers and assisted patients. Methods We selected a sample of 60 caregivers (34 women and 26 men), who assisted patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders treated in our local Community Mental Health Center for a 1-year minimum period. We administered to our sample two scales, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) and collected data of caregivers and their assisted patients in a 3-month period. Results We reported a mean ZBI score of 49.68 (± 15.03 SD) and a mean BEES score of 14.35 (± 9.05 SD), indicating the perception of moderate-severe burden and a low level of empathy, respectively. The analysis of internal consistency confirmed the good reliability of both ZBI (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90) and BEES (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77). The correlation between the two scales was not statistically significantly at Spearman test. Only a few variables, the living environment ("do not live with the patient") indirectly, and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) score of assisted patients, in a direct way, were statistically significantly correlated with ZBI score. We highlighted only a positive statistically significant correlation between the fifth dimension score of BEES ("Tendency to avoid emotional involvement with fragile people") and CGI-S and GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) scores of assisted patients. Conclusions Our study highlights that the burden of caregivers of patients with severe psychiatric disorders is similarly high to that of organic or neurologic disorders and is associated with low emotional empathy experienced by caregivers, probably due to a defensive psychological mechanism.

Cognitive and emotional empathy in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A replication and extension study

2019 ◽  
Vol 276 ◽  
pp. 56-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Berger ◽  
Florian Bitsch ◽  
Babette Jakobi ◽  
Arne Nagels ◽  
Benjamin Straube ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extension Study ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Emotional Empathy ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals Systematic review and meta-analysis of the calibration of confidence judgments in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Rouy ◽  
Pauline Saliou ◽  
Ladislas Nalborczyk ◽  
Michael Pereira ◽  
Paul Roux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
First Order ◽  
Confidence Judgments ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Experimental Protocols ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

AbstractBackgroundMetacognitive deficits are well documented in schizophrenia spectrum disorders as a decreased capacity to adjust confidence to first-order performance in a cognitive task. Because metacognitive ability directly depends on first-order performance, observed metacognitive deficits might be driven by lower first-order performance. We aimed to determine the extent to which individuals with schizophrenia experience specific deficits when producing confidence judgments and examined whether studies controlling for first-order performance found metacognitive deficits of smaller magnitude.MethodElectronic databases were searched for studies published until April 24th 2020. We conducted a Bayesian meta-analysis of 43 studies comparing the calibration of confidence in 1458 individuals with schizophrenia compared to 1337 matched controls. Group analyses and meta-regressions quantified how metacognitive deficits depended on task performance, cognitive domains, clinical severity, and antipsychotic dosage.OutcomesWe found a global metacognitive deficit in schizophrenia (g = -0.57, 95% CrI [-0.71, -0.43]), which was driven by studies which did not equate first-order performance between groups (g = -0.64, 95% CrI [-0.77, -0.51]), and inconclusive among controlled-studies (g = -0.28, 95% CrI [-0.63, 0.07], BF01 = 1.3). Plus, the metacognitive deficit in non-controlled studies was correlated with first-order performance. No correlation was found between metacognitive deficit and clinical features of schizophrenia.InterpretationWe provide evidence for the existence of a deficit in the calibration of confidence judgments in schizophrenia, which is inflated due to non-equated first-order performance. Thus, efforts should be made to develop experimental protocols accounting for lower first-order performance in schizophrenia.

Screening Adolescents for Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Cornblatt ◽  
M. Obuchowski ◽  
S. Roberts ◽  
S. Pollack ◽  
L. Erienmeyer-Kimling
Keyword(s):  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Sleep and cognition in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review protocol.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Carruthers ◽  
Gemma Brunetti ◽  
Susan Rossell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Systematic Review Protocol ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Sleep And Cognition ◽  
The Relationship

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are chronic and debilitating mental illnesses characterised by both cognitive impairments and sleep deficits. In this systematic review protocol, we outline an approach to examine the available literature investigating the relationship between sleep and cognition in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of Compensatory Cognitive Training and a Computerised Cognitive Remediation programme

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Dark ◽  
Ellie Newman ◽  
Victoria Gore-Jones ◽  
Veronica De Monte ◽  
Marta I. Garrido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Interventions ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Compensation and adaptation therapies have been developed to improve community functioning via improving neurocognitive abilities in people with schizophrenia. Various modes of delivering compensation and adaptation therapies have been found to be effective. The aim of this trial is to compare two different cognitive interventions, Compensatory Cognitive Training (CCT) and Computerised Interactive Remediation of Cognition–Training for Schizophrenia (CIRCuiTS). The trial also aims to identify if mismatch negativity (MMN) can predict an individual’s response to the compensation and adaptation programmes. Methods This study will use a randomised, controlled trial of two cognitive interventions to compare the impact of these programmes on measures of neurocognition and function. One hundred clinically stable patients aged between 18 and 65 years with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder will be recruited. Participants will be randomised to either the CCT or the CIRCuiTS therapy groups. The outcome measures are neurocognition (BACS), subjective sense of cognitive impairment (SSTICS), social functioning (SFS), and MMN (measured by EEG) in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Discussion This trial will determine whether different approaches to addressing the cognitive deficits found in schizophrenia spectrum disorders are of comparable benefit using the outcome measures chosen. This has implications for services where cost and lack of computer technology limit the implementation and dissemination of interventions to address cognitive impairment in routine practice. The trial will contribute to the emerging evidence of MMN as a predictor of response to cognitive interventions. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12618000161224. Registered on 2 February 2018. Protocol version: 4.0, 18 June 2018.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document