Time estimation in schizophrenia: Relationship to clinical and neuropsychological functioning.
Item
-
Title
-
Time estimation in schizophrenia: Relationship to clinical and neuropsychological functioning.
-
Identifier
-
AAI3103084
-
identifier
-
3103084
-
Creator
-
Bonafina-Caraccioli, Marcela Andrea.
-
Contributor
-
Adviser: Jeffrey M. Halperin
-
Date
-
2003
-
Language
-
English
-
Publisher
-
City University of New York.
-
Subject
-
Psychology, Clinical | Psychology, Physiological | Psychology, Cognitive | Health Sciences, Mental Health
-
Abstract
-
A considerable amount of literature indicates that dopamine has a central role in the etiology of schizophrenia, as well as in underlying mechanisms of time estimation. Despite these apparent common neurobiological bases, the investigation of time estimation in schizophrenia has been fairly neglected. The main purpose of this study was to extend our understanding of the perception of time among patients with this disorder. This may very well facilitate the reconceptualization of its core cognitive and clinical characteristics and promote effective interventions. Our approach included the use of two computerized tasks that required the verbal estimation and production of brief durations (i.e., 5 s to 90 s). Time estimation performance was compared between 38 adult inpatients with schizophrenia and 47 participants in a non-patient comparison group. In the patient group, time estimation was assessed after four weeks on the same dose of neuroleptic medication. To study the impact of antipsychotic medication on time perception, a subgroup of 10 inpatients kept medication-free during three weeks was repeatedly evaluated off and on medication. Overall, patients with schizophrenia, particularly females, exhibited a faster internal time sense compared to the non-patient comparison group. After neuroleptic medication, the perception of time became significantly accelerated. Indeed, this finding led us to speculate that the faster time sense observed in patients with schizophrenia was a medication effect. Moreover, the synergistic effect of adjunctive medication indicated that anticonvulsants appear to further accelerate the patients' internal time sense. The relationship between time estimation and clinical variables such as psychotic symptomatology, impulsiveness, and suicidal behavior was also investigated. A moderate relationship was found between time estimation and positive symptoms, but this function was uncorrelated with impulsiveness. No significant differences were found between suicide attempters and non-attempters. However, several indicators of suicidal behavior were differentially associated to time estimation. While a high number of prior suicide attempts was associated with a fast internal time sense, high scores on scales assessing suicidal intent and suicidal ideation were correlated with a slow internal time sense. Future research on time estimation would benefit from further investigating the role of medication and gender on time estimation.
-
Type
-
dissertation
-
Source
-
PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
-
degree
-
Ph.D.
