Basic self-disturbances are associated with Sense of Coherence in patients with psychotic disorders.

Ingrid Hartveit Svendsen,Ingrid Melle,Merete Glenne Øie,Elisabeth Haug,Barnaby Nelson,Paul Møller

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0230956

Abstract

BackgroundThe Sense of Coherence (SOC) theory gives a possible explanation of how people can experience subjective good health despite severe illness. Basic self-disturbances (BSDs) are subtle non-psychotic disturbances that may destabilize the person’s sense of self, identity, corporeality, and the overall ‘grip’ of the world.AimOur objective was to investigate associations between BSDs and SOC in patients with psychotic disorders.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study of 56 patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders inside and outside the schizophrenia spectrum (35 schizophrenia, 13 bipolar, and eight other psychoses). SOC was measured using Antonovsky’s 13-item SOC questionnaire, and BSDs were assessed using the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) manual. Diagnosis, symptoms, and social and occupational performance were assessed using standardized clinical instruments.ResultsWe found a statistically significant correlation (r = ) between high levels of BSDs and low levels of SOC (r = -0.64/p<0.001). This association was not influenced by diagnostics, clinical symptoms or level of functioning in follow-up multivariate analyses.ConclusionA statistically significant association between BSDs and SOC indicates that the presence and level of self-disturbances may influence the person's ability to experience life as comprehensive, manageable and meaningful. However, the cross-sectional nature of the study precludes conclusions regarding the direction of this association.

Highlights

The personal experience of health is complex and dynamic and relies on physical, social and mental factors [1]
We found a statistically significant correlation (r = ) between high levels of Basic self-disturbances (BSDs) and low levels of Sense of Coherence (SOC) (r = -0.64/p
A statistically significant association between BSDs and SOC indicates that the presence and level of self-disturbances may influence the person’s ability to experience life as comprehensive, manageable and meaningful

Summary

Introduction

The personal experience of health is complex and dynamic and relies on physical, social and mental factors [1]. Aron Antonovsky’s "Sense of Coherence (SOC)" theory is used to explain the apparent contradiction that people with severe illnesses report a subjective experience of good health. According to this theory, the SOC comprises three theoretically separable but closely interwoven core components that include: 1) Comprehensibility: Refers to the extent to which a person perceives internal and external stimuli as rationally understandable and as information that is orderly, coherent, clear, structured rather than noise. 3) Meaningfulness: Refers to the extent to which a person feels that life has emotional meaning, that at least some of the problems faced in life are worth commitment and dedication, and are seen as challenges rather than as burdens [3] These three core components can vary over time. Basic self-disturbances (BSDs) are subtle non-psychotic disturbances that may destabilize the person’s sense of self, identity, corporeality, and the overall ‘grip’ of the world.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion