Attributional styles and social functioning in schizophrenia. Is the learned helplessness model suitable?

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Abstract

ABSTRACT We tried to verify whether the reformulated Learned Helplessness Model and its more fully articulated form, the Hopelessness Theory of Depression, were adequate to predict symptoms and social functioning (SF) in persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders by comparing a clinical group (n = 25) with a non-clinical one (n = 30). Bivariate correlations and multiple linear regressions were conducted to assess relationships between the Attribution Styles Questionnaire (ASQ), clinical variables, and SF within the clinical group. Differences between groups were found for most of attributional dimensions. A “pessimistic style” predicted depression within the clinical group. An unstable attribution bias predicted positive symptoms. General psychopathology and a global attribution style predicted 50% of the variance in general SF. The Learned Helplessness Model was suitable to predict depression regardless of psychotic symptoms and may be useful to predict clinical symptoms and SF in persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Clinical and theoretical implications were discussed.

Translated abstract

RESUMEN El estudio analizó la adecuación del modelo de Indefensión Aprendida y la Teoría de la Desesperanza para predecir síntomas y funcionamiento social (FS) en personas con trastornos psicóticos comparando un grupo clínico (n = 25) con una muestra no-clínica (n = 30). Se calcularon correlaciones bivariadas y regresiones lineales para evaluar relaciones entre el cuestionario de Estilos Atribucionales (ASQ), variables clínicas y FS dentro del grupo clínico. Se encontraron diferencias para la mayoría de las dimensiones atribucionales. Un “estilo pesimista” predijo la depresión dentro del grupo clínico. Un sesgo de atribución inestable predijo los síntomas positivos. La psicopatología y un estilo de atribución global predijeron un 50% de la varianza del FS. El modelo de Indefensión Aprendida resultó adecuado para predecir la depresión independientemente de los síntomas psicóticos y fue útil prediciendo los síntomas clínicos y el FS en personas con trastornos del espectro de la esquizofrenia. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas y clínicas.

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The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for Schizophrenia

S R Kay, A Fiszbein, L A Opler (1987)

The variable results of positive-negative research with schizophrenics underscore the importance of well-characterized, standardized measurement techniques. We report on the development and initial standardization of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for typological and dimensional assessment. Based on two established psychiatric rating systems, the 30-item PANSS was conceived as an operationalized, drug-sensitive instrument that provides balanced representation of positive and negative symptoms and gauges their relationship to one another and to global psychopathology. It thus constitutes four scales measuring positive and negative syndromes, their differential, and general severity of illness. Study of 101 schizophrenics found the four scales to be normally distributed and supported their reliability and stability. Positive and negative scores were inversely correlated once their common association with general psychopathology was extracted, suggesting that they represent mutually exclusive constructs. Review of five studies involving the PANSS provided evidence of its criterion-related validity with antecedent, genealogical, and concurrent measures, its predictive validity, its drug sensitivity, and its utility for both typological and dimensional assessment.