The Metaphorical and Analogical Structure of Myth

This chapter discusses explicit and implicit expressions of the emotional family of compassion, pity, empathy, and mercy in textual sources written in the Sumerian language. Most of the sources date from the Old Babylonian Period (ca. 2000–1600 BC). By that time, Sumerian was already a literary language, and the texts were written by Semitic scribes who preserved the Sumerian cultural legacy. Most of the sources are hymns, prayers, and mythological narratives that relate to deities. There are only a few terms that specifically relate to the wide semantic field of compassion. The application of these explicit terms, which are used mainly in hymns and prayers and as divine epithets, is often overlapping and inconsistent. Exact meanings, therefore, are gleaned from the context, using the etymology of the English translations to define functional nuances. Genuine but implicit expressions of compassion are observed in mythological narratives, some of which were based on older Sumerian folklore.

The motivation and pleasure deficits but not expressivity affects social functioning through cognitive function in male patients with schizophrenia: A structural equation model.

P.1.i.010 Social and cognitive functioning as risk factors for suicide: a historical-prospective cohort study

Environmental Health Crises (EHC), often manifesting as interconnected polycrises (e.g. combining environmental, medical or military aspects), have surged in frequency, intensity and geographic spread in recent decades. Public understanding of such crises plays a crucial role in taking proper action to mitigate their consequences. Thus, finding innovative communication models that would address and mediate the complex nature of EHC is of utmost importance to serve the societal needs for clarity, safety, hope and physical survival. While mythological and scientific approaches have conventionally been conceptualized as opposites, this article’s objective is to delineate their points of convergence and to argue that awareness of patterns in mythological narratives can offer analytically significant insights for contemporary crisis communication. By reviewing existing map-based health risk communication tools and frameworks, and relying on multiple sources of mythological narratives related to various EHC (e.g., epidemics, environmental hazards and disruptions), the authors will propose an empirically and theoretically grounded framework for analyzing the spatial representations of environmental health crises in mythological narratives to highlight how mental mapping becomes a critical component of vernacular spatial problem-solving activity. While highlighting consistencies in spatial crisis responses in mythological narratives and comparing them to modern EHC-narrating patterns, the proposed framework aims to function as a pathway for bridging the gap between scientific crisis mapping and the vernacular lived, multisensory, mythology-informed representations of EHC. By theorizing the integration of such dynamic and agentic perspectives into public communication, the study seeks to advance more effective and empathetic engagement with EHC-related risks.

The relationship between cognitive and social functioning in older patients with bipolar disorder

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151299.].

ObjectiveStudies have linked cognitive functioning to everyday social functioning in psychotic disorders, but the nature of the relationships between cognition, social cognition, symptoms, and social functioning remains unestablished. Modelling the contributions of non-social and social cognitive ability in the prediction of social functioning may help in more clearly defining therapeutic targets to improve functioning.MethodIn a sample of 745 patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder, the associations between cognition and social cognition at baseline on the one hand, and self-reported social functioning three years later on the other, were analysed. First, case-control comparisons were conducted; associations were subsequently further explored in patients, investigating the potential mediating role of symptoms. Analyses were repeated in a subsample of 233 patients with recent-onset psychosis.ResultsInformation processing speed and immediate verbal memory were stronger associated with social functioning in patients than in healthy controls. Most cognition variables significantly predicted social functioning at follow-up, whereas social cognition was not associated with social functioning. Symptoms were robustly associated with follow-up social functioning, with negative symptoms fully mediating most associations between cognition and follow-up social functioning. Illness duration did not moderate the strength of the association between cognitive functioning and follow-up social functioning. No associations were found between (social) cognition and follow-up social functioning in patients with recent-onset psychosis.ConclusionsAlthough cognitive functioning is associated with later social functioning in psychotic disorder, its role in explaining social functioning outcome above negative symptoms appears only modest. In recent-onset psychosis, cognition may have a negligible role in predicting later social functioning. Moreover, social cognition tasks may not predict self-reported social functioning.

Impaired social functioning is one of the diagnostic features of schizophrenia. Cognitive functioning is also often impaired in several domains. Meta-analysis has shown a predictive value of cognition for a variety of domains related to social functioning (Green, Kern, Braff, & Mintz, 2000). The significance of these findings for clinical practice has remained largely uninvestigated, however, and is therefore taken up here. We investigated verbal memory, attention and executive functioning in 52 schizophrenia patients. Social functioning was assessed for different types of social roles. The percentages of cognitive and social impairments in our group were assessed according to clinical principles, normally used to judge an individual patient. A possible predictive relationship between cognition and social functioning was studied on the basis of these clinical criteria. A large proportion of patients showed impairments in both cognitive functioning and social functioning. However, the clinical method resulted in a successful prediction of social functioning in only 21–69% of the cases. Social functioning and cognitive functioning were impaired in a large proportion of patients, but were largely independent from each other. Since relationships between cognition and social functioning are weak, assessment procedures are inconsistent and possibly not optimally adjusted to the psychiatric population, the clinical relevance of cognitive testing in order to predict social functioning is as yet questionable.

Objective. The majority of patients with schizophrenia have cognitive deficits early in the disease. We evaluated the relationship between cognitive function, social functioning and quality of life in patients with first-episode psychosis. Methods. This was a longitudinal study in 15 patients aged 18–30 years who had recently experienced a first psychotic episode and were treated with the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole, cognitive-behavioural therapy, psycho-educational sessions, family supportive sessions and social interventions. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 1 year. Cognitive assessment included attention, memory, language skills and problem solving. Social functioning, quality of life, and psychopathological evaluation were performed with validated tools. Results. At baseline, patients had a severe impairment of social functioning and a low quality of life, while a specific pattern of cognitive functions was not identified. After 1-year, we observed a significant improvement in social functioning and quality of life, without a significant decrease in cognitive function. Conclusion. Contrary to previous findings, we found that social functioning and quality of life are related, but independent of cognitive impairment. The use of antipsychotic agents that do not interefere with cognitive function plus psychological assistance is a valuable treatment approach in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.

Differential impacts of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) on cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia according to mode of onset

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the complex relationships between negative symptoms, cognitive function, and social functioning in chronic male patients with schizophrenia, identifying core symptoms to lay a theoretical foundation for targeted interventions aimed at negative symptoms in this population.MethodsA total of 161 male schizophrenia patients were included, categorized into deficit syndrome (DS) and non-DS groups using the Chinese version of the Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome (SDS). Social functioning was assessed with the Scale of Social Function in Psychosis Inpatients (SSPI), while a battery of neurocognitive tests measured cognitive domains, including sustained attention, cognitive flexibility, ideation fluency, and visuospatial memory. Network analysis was employed to construct an integrated network of negative symptoms, cognitive function, and social functioning, aiming to identify the most central and bridge symptoms within these networks.ResultsOur study indicated that DS patients performed worser in cognitive function and social functioning than non-DS patients. The network analysis demonstrated that “intensity of pleasure during activities (B1)” in the negative symptoms was the most central node. The most prominent bridge node was SSPI, with impact indices of 0.55.ConclusionOur findings provided evidence revealing a closer connection between negative symptoms, cognitive function, and social functioning. In light of these findings, precise targets for pharmacological treatment, psychotherapy and physical therapy are identified for patients with schizophrenia.

Social and cognitive functioning in psychosis

BackgroundFormal thought disorder (FTD) is considered to be a core syndrome of schizophrenia (SZ). Although there are few studies investigating the cognitive correlates in FTD, etiopathogenesis of this cluster of symptoms is not fully elucidated. Additionally, the impact of FTD on the global and social functioning and life satisfaction is yet unclear. The Thought and Language Disorder Scale (TALD) is a comprehensive, 30-item scale covering both positive/negative and objective/subjective FTD symptoms. Its unique four factorial structure is an excellent advantage to find out the relation between FTD dimensions and cognitive abilities, functioning and quality of life. This study aims to analyze the relationship between FTD which was assessed with TALD and cognitive functions, global, social functioning and quality of life in patients with SZ.MethodsPatients who met DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia and aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited from the Department of Psychiatry, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. The Turkish version of Thought and Language Disorder Scale (TALD-TR) was administered to detect formal thought disorder symptoms. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI) were used to assess psychopathology and illness severity. Cognitive functions were investigated using a neuropsychological test battery (working memory, verbal fluency, abstract thinking, executive functions and response inhibition). The Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) and the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) were administered to assess global and social functioning, World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered to assess quality of life.ResultsThe sample consisted of 46 patients (mean age 39.4 ± 10.8) and 39% (N=18) of the participants were females. Mean duration of education was 11.5 ± 3 years and mean duration of illness was 15 years. Partial correlation analyses, controlling for age and duration of education, showed that the Objective Positive FTD was associated with a deficit in executive functions and that the Objective Negative FTD was associated with impairment in working memory, category (semantic) verbal fluency, executive functions, abstract thinking and response inhibition. There was a significant negative correlation between Subjective Negative FTD and verbal fluency (alternation) whereas Subjective Positive FTD was correlated positively with lexical verbal fluency. Although FTD was significantly correlated positively with deficits in social, interpersonal and occupational functioning, no relation was detected between FTD and self-reported quality of life.DiscussionOur findings indicate that the multidimensional symptomatology of FTD could be the result of different cognitive impairments. In line with the literature, both objective positive and objective negative FTD were related to executive deficits. Additionally, working memory, verbal fluency, abstract thinking and response inhibition were correlated with objective negative FTD. To our knowledge, the relation between subjective FTD and verbal fluency is a novel finding in FTD research. Because of the close relationship between FTD and general /social functioning, FTD should be considered as one of the main treatment goals in schizophrenia. It could be suggested that investigating objective quality of life along with subjective assessments could better clarify the effect of FTD on patient’s life satisfaction. Comparison with healthy individuals, and future addition of neuroimaging investigations would further support the interpretation of these results.

The aim of the current study is to examine metacognitive functioning in people with schizophrenia, in the light of everyday functioning. More specifically, links with several cognitive domains (i.e., attention, executive functioning and processing speed) and social functioning are analyzed using linear regressions. Based on previous literature, a close relationship between social and cognitive functioning is expected, as well as a mediation effect of metacognition on this relationship. The present findings suggest however, that cognition, social functioning, and metacognition are not related. Therefore, the model in which metacognition mediates the relationship between cognitive and social functioning in people with schizophrenia does not hold.

Spirituality is the inner human quality that gives meaning to life and provides motivation to keep going even in darkest times. Being at the core of personal and group identity, it is closely intertwined with the fundamental beliefs and values that find expression in ceremonies associated with mythology and religion. It is also an essential characteristic of self-image and the relationships through which the individual or group negotiates the world. Although complementary to materiality in one’s experience of life, spirituality has a material dimension in that profound spiritual experiences occasionally find expression in material symbols. Many symbols acquire the status of icons that not only represent but are believed to participate in what they portray. This underlies the offence caused by disrespect to a national flag or religious image, while also explaining how ancient religious texts are deemed “sacred scripture” and presented in specially bound and illuminated volumes. Beyond the reach of history the mythological narratives of deeper prehistoric times have “grown silent and unstated through the natural process of time” (O hOgain 1999: vii) and the original vibrancy of any extant symbols associated with them is irretrievable. That said, the stage on which these myths were set is the same landscape we inhabit today (O’Sullivan 2010). Aspects of the scenery may have changed but the underlying structure endures, as do props in the form of surviving monuments and other archaeological features. New props have continually been added over time but earlier ones survive in various phases of decay, collapse and ruin. While intrinsically valuable as gateways to the past, these ancient monuments by their location provide information on the landscape as perceived and experienced in ancient times. But a landscape feature does not have to be designed and built by humans to be incorporated into mythological narratives. Anything distinctive in the environment may be appropriated, especially if deemed to be mysterious, liminal or otherwise remote from the everyday. Thus, caves, mountains, distinctive rock formations or rivers might be as culturally charged as an ancient mound or a stone circle. A modern perception of the landscape, no matter how well informed, could never approach serious empathy with a Neolithic experience. Yet by examining patterns of behaviour in the context of megalithic tombs it is possible to identify issues that were taken seriously in Neolithic Ireland and thus focus dimly on the heart of fourth millennium bc spirituality.