Profile of self-perception in people with schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by presenting a series of important cognitive deficits. In recent times, studies have focused on assessing social functioning, including attention, memory and performance itself. Social cognition is responsible for social behaviour. On the other hand, self-esteem has been recognized as a construct of notable interest because of its clinical relevance in various psychopathological conditions. The concept of body image was also introduced, which is the representation of the body that each person builds in their mind and which, on many occasions, has been related to self-esteem. The study describes the self-perception profile of people with schizophrenia. Fifty-six people with schizophrenia from two centres with similar characteristics were assessed. The Standard Figural Stimuli scale for the self-perception of body image, the GEOPTE scale for the assessment of basic cognitive functions, social cognition and global assessment, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire were administered. In addition, sociodemographic variables were collected, as well as weight and body mass index (BMI). The assessment was carried out by psychologists and nurses of the centres trained in all the tests. The sociodemographic characteristics show a majority of male patients, with siblings, single and around 55 years of age. In relation to self-perception, participants generally perceived themselves as thinner relative to their BMI, and with medium-high levels of self-esteem. The main characteristics of people with schizophrenia regarding their self-perception show us a distortion of reality in all the aspects assessed, with the consequent difficulties in changing self-care habits.