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Effect of Emotional Salience on Thought Disorder in Patients with Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Gillian Haddock*
Affiliation:
University Hospital of South Manchester
Melanie Wolfenden
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Falls Road, Belfast
Ian Lowens
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool
Nicholas Tarrier
Affiliation:
South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Department of Clinical Psychology, Withington Hospital, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 8LR
Richard P. Bentall
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX
*
Dr G. Haddock, Department of Clinical Psychology, University Hospital of South Manchester, Nell Lane, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 8LR

Abstract

Background

This study examined the effect of emotional salience on the severity of thought disorder in schizophrenic patients.

Method

Ten thought disordered and ten non-thought disordered schizophrenic patients were interviewed under two conditions: a personal interview involving material which was emotionally salient and an impersonal interview involving material which was not emotionally salient.

Results

Both groups exhibited some thought disorder during both interviews. The thought disordered patients exhibited significantly more thought disorder during the emotionally salient interview.

Conclusions

Thought disorder in schizophrenic patients is affected by the emotional salience of the material being discussed. Clinical implications are discussed.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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