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The Dimensions of Schizophrenia Phenomenology Not one or two, at least three, perhaps four

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Mark F. Lenzenweger  and
Robert H. Dworkin
Mark F. Lenzenweger*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Experimental Psychopathology, Cornell University, and Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York
Robert H. Dworkin
Affiliation:
Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
*
Mark F. Lenzenweger, Director, Laboratory of Experimental Psychopathology, Cornell University, Van Rensselaer Hall (NG-07A), Ithaca, New York, 14853-4401 USA
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Abstract

Background

This confirmatory investigation examined the underlying structure of schizophrenia phenomenology through examination of the fit of several prominent dimensional models to observed symptom data.

Method

Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on a correlation matrix of schizophrenia signs and symptoms derived from case history ratings of 192 individuals with schizophrenia who were the subjects in the major twin studies of schizophrenia.

Results

Schizophrenia phenomenology appears best described by four underlying factors, namely negative symptoms, premorbid social adjustment deficits, reality distortion, and disorganisation. Of interest, the premorbid deficit dimension was directly associated with negative symptoms and disorganisation, but was inversely associated with reality distortion.

Conclusions

These data clearly support the multidimensionality of schizophrenia phenomenology and provide objective support for a four-factor model over other models. This four-factor model may be useful in organising existing and future data concerning the genetic, neurobiological, neurological, and psychosocial features of schizophrenia.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 4 , April 1996 , pp. 432 - 440
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1996 

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