Background. Research on the subject of insight has been
hampered
by difficulties in definition and reliable measurement.
Methods. We compared several rating scales to measure insight
on a
group of 33 psychotic patients as well as assessing patients'
psychopathology, clinical characteristics and cognitive functioning.
Results. Most currently used scales showed a high degree of
inter-correlation. Measures of insight
related strongly to the presence of delusions; grandiosity (inversely),
and depression (positively).
Higher insight scores correlated with indices of treatment compliance and
inversely with substance
abuse. Measures of pre-morbid IQ and impaired executive functioning, including
the Wisconsin
Card Sorting Test were not associated with poor insight.
Conclusions. The study highlights aspects of psychopathology
and
clinical variables particularly
related to insight and supports the continued use of standardized scales
in
further research in this area.