Self-Schemas and Self-Esteem Discrepancies in Subclinical Paranoia: The Essential Role of Depressive Symptoms.

Manel Monsonet,Neus Barrantes-Vidal,Tamara Sheinbaum,Thomas Richard Kwapil,Sergi Ballespí,Carmen Valiente,Regina Espinosa

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.623755

Abstract

Background : Self-concepts are being intensively investigated in relation to paranoia, but research has shown some contradictory findings. Studying subclinical phenomena in a non-clinical population should allow for a clearer understanding given that clinical confounding factors are avoided. We explored self-esteem, self-schemas, and implicit/explicit self-esteem discrepancies in three non-clinical groups with different psychopathological traits and a control group.Methods: Participants with elevated trait-paranoia (n = 41), depressive symptoms (n = 34), a combination of both traits (n = 32), and a control group (n = 71) were assessed on implicit and explicit self-esteem, self-schemas, depression, and paranoia. A dimensional approach with the total sample (n = 208) was also used to complement the information provided by the group approach.Results: All groups presented similar and positive levels of implicit self-esteem. Trait-paranoia participants had similar levels of explicit self-esteem and self-schemas compared with the control group. However, the group with a combination of trait-paranoia and depressive symptoms showed the lowest levels of positive self-schemas and self-esteem. Furthermore, this group and the control group displayed implicit/explicit self-esteem discrepancies, although in opposite directions and with different implications. The dimensional approach revealed associations of trait-paranoia and depressive symptoms with poor explicit self-esteem and self-schemas but not with implicit self-esteem.Conclusions: Trait-paranoia participants showed different self-representations depending on whether depressive symptoms were present or not. The interaction between subclinical neurotic and psychotic traits entailed a detrimental self-representation that might increase the risk for psychopathology.

Highlights

Understanding psychopathological phenomena as a dimensional continuum, which range from mental health to severe mental illness, have a long tradition [1,2,3,4,5]
Trait-paranoia participants had similar levels of explicit self-esteem and self-schemas compared with the control group
The group with a combination of trait-paranoia and depressive symptoms showed the lowest levels of positive self-schemas and self-esteem

Summary

Introduction

Understanding psychopathological phenomena as a dimensional continuum, which range from mental health to severe mental illness, have a long tradition [1,2,3,4,5]. Psychosis is currently conceptualized as a dynamic continuum that ranges from individual differences in schizotypy traits and subtle psychoticlike experiences through at-risk mental states (ARMS) or prodromal states to schizophrenia-spectrum disorders [6,7,8]. Studying subclinical phenomena in non-clinical populations complements the information obtained from ill participants and provides a “cleaner” laboratory to grasp subtle psychological constructs by avoiding confusion factors such as elevated symptom severity, high comorbidity, medication side-effects, and the chronicity of the disorder itself, allowing to elucidate mechanisms of disorder risk, resilience, and onset [12]. We explored self-esteem, self-schemas, and implicit/explicit self-esteem discrepancies in three non-clinical groups with different psychopathological traits and a control group

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