“Feeling shattered and ephemeral”: How do positive and negative symptoms affect self-concept clarity among individuals experiencing psychosis?

Abstract

PurposeIncoherence in sense of self in schizophrenia may mask individuals' ability to perceive reality accurately, and cause them to feel alienated from themselves and others. This descriptive correlational study investigates the relationship between positive and negative symptoms in relation to self-concept clarity (SCC) in schizophrenia. MethodA sample of 200 inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited to complete the Self-Concept Clarity Scale and were rated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS-version 4.0). ResultsA strong inverse correlation between positive and negative symptoms in relation to SCC (r = 0.242, P < 0.001, and r = 0.225, P = 0.001, respectively). ConclusionThe overall BPRS scores were identified as independent precursors of low SCC.