Watson, PWB; Garety, PA; Weinman, J; Dunn, G; Bebbington, PE; Fowler, D; Freeman, D; Watson, PWB; Garety, PA; Weinman, J; Dunn, G; Bebbington, PE; Fowler, D; Freeman, D; Kuipers, E; - view fewer (2006) Emotional dysfunction in schizophrenia spectrum psychosis: the role of illness perceptions. PSYCHOL MED , 36 (6) 761 - 770. 10.1017/S0033291706007458.

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Abstract

Background. Assessing illness perceptions has been useful in a range of medical disorders. This study of people with a recent relapse of their psychosis examines the relationship between illness perception, their emotional responses and their attitudes to medication.Method. One hundred patients diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder were assessed within 3 months of relapse. Measures included insight, self-reported. illness perceptions, medication adherence, depression, self-esteem and anxiety.Results. Illness perceptions about psychosis explained 46, 36 and 34% of the variance in depression, anxiety and self-esteem respectively. However, self-reported medication adherence was more strongly associated with a measure of insight.Conclusions. Negative illness perceptions in psychosis are clearly related to depression, anxiety and self-esteem. These in turn have been linked to symptom maintenance and recurrence. Clinical interventions that foster appraisals of recovery rather than of chronicity and severity may therefore improve emotional well-being in people with psychosis. It might be better to address adherence to medication through direct attempts at helping them understand their need for treatment.

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