Disorganisation, thought disorder and socio-cognitive functioning in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Poor social cognition is prevalent in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Some authors argue that these effects are symptom-specific and that socio-cognitive difficulties (e.g. theory of mind) are strongly associated with thought disorder and symptoms of disorganisation.AimsThe current review tests the strength of this association.

METHOD: We meta-analysed studies published between 1980 and 2016 that tested the association between social cognition and these symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

RESULTS: Our search (PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Web of Science) identified 123 studies (N = 9107). Overall effect size as r = -0.313, indicating a moderate association between symptoms and social cognition. Subanalyses yielded a moderate association between symptoms and theory of mind (r = -0.349) and emotion recognition (r = -0.334), but smaller effect sizes for social perception (r = -0.188), emotion regulation (r = -0.169) and attributional biases (r = -0.143).

CONCLUSIONS: The association is interpreted within models of communication that highlight the importance of mentalisation and processing of partner-specific cues in conversational alignment and grounding.Declaration of interestsNone.