Anxiety and executive functions relationships in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Poor executive functions (EF) in schizophrenia are prevalent and most frequently explained as neuropathological conditionality. However, a growing number of studies argue that the contribution of psychological factors (e.g. anxiety) to cognitive deficits in schizophrenia is underestimated. The aim of this study was therefore to meta-analytically investigate the correlations between anxiety and EF performance among patients with a schizophrenia diagnosis. The meta-analysis included 10 studies conducted on a group of 518 patients with schizophrenia; the grand effect was not statistically significant. However, the exclusion of outlier results led to a small significant correlation (r = −0.11) between anxiety and EF in schizophrenia. Moreover, extant relations between state anxiety and EF (r = −0.12), anxiety and EF measures based on reaction time (r = −0.17), and anxiety and EF tests operating on verbal material (r = −0.12) were observed. The results interpreted in light of Attentional Control Theory indicate that the heightened level of anxiety observed among persons diagnosed with schizophrenia might be one of the sources of EF deficits.