Multisensory integration of emotional faces and voices in schizophrenics

Contains fulltext : 32762.pdf (postprint version ) (Open Access)In their natural environment, organisms receive information through multiple sensory channels and these inputs from different sensory systems are routinely combined into integrated percepts. Previously, we reported that in a population of schizophrenics, deficits in audiovisual integration were observed for complex stimuli (auditory and visual syllables), but not for more simple ones (beeps and light flashes). Here, we investigated multisensory integration of emotional information in a group of schizophrenic patients. In Experiment 1, we found a reduced effect of an emotional voice on the categorization of a facial expression. In Experiment 2, the reverse test situation was presented, and, here, we observed an exaggerated effect of a face expression on the categorization of an emotional voice. Results are discussed in the light of current models of multisensory integration and their relevance for schizophrenia

Diagnostic efficiency among psychiatric outpatients of a self-report version of a subset of screen items of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Personality Disorders (SCID-II).

Contains fulltext : 88871.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)This article describes the identification of a 10-item set of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SCID-II) items, which proved to be effective as a self-report assessment instrument in screening personality disorders. The item selection was based on the retrospective analyses of 495 SCID-II interviews. The psychometric properties were studied in a prospective validation study in a random sample of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients, using the SCID-II interview as the gold standard. First, all patients completed the short questionnaire. One week later, they were interviewed with the full SCID-II. After another week, the short questionnaire was readministered. According to the scores obtained with the full SCID-II, 97 patients (50%) had a personality disorder. The set of 10 SCID-II items correctly classified 78% of all participants. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative power were 0.78, 0.78, 0.78, and 0.78, respectively. The results based on the retrospectively obtained data were rather similar to those obtained in the prospective validation study. Therefore, it is concluded that the set of 10 SCID-II items can be useful as a quick self-report personality disorder screen in a population of psychiatric outpatients.1 december 201

Economics Handbook 2010

This study examines the relationship between personality and quality of life (QOL) in psychiatric outpatients (N=495). Personality was conceptualized using two-dimensional models, respectively, the five-factor model (FFM) and Cloninger's seven-factor model. The WHOQOL-100 was used for assessing QOL. Neuroticism and Harm Avoidance had negative correlations with QOL, whereas Extraversion, Conscientiousness and Self-Directedness correlated positively with QOL. A considerable part of the QOL variance was explained by personality; Cloninger's character factors were superior to the FFM domains. Although not fully comparable, in general our findings are in accordance with earlier studies. Therefore, paying attention to personality and temperament is recommended in future diagnostic procedures, treatment policies, and program evaluations

The WHO quality of life assessment instrument:Investigating its discriminant ability for psychiatric outpatients

This study scrutinizes the ability of the WHO quality of life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) to discriminate (1) between psychiatric outpatients and the general population, and (2) between subgroups of psychiatric outpatients. A sample of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients (N=410) completed the WHOQOL-100. In addition, DSM-IV Axis-I and Axis-II diagnoses were obtained. Compared with the general population, psychiatric outpatients scored significantly lower on all aspects of self-reported quality of life (QOL). Within the group of outpatients, participants with DSM-IV diagnoses had lower scores than those without. Participants with diagnoses on both Axis-I and Axis-II of DSM-IV (comorbidity) had the lowest self-reported QOL. It is concluded that in psychiatric outpatients, outcome scores of self-reported QOL were negatively related to presence and degree of psychopathology. The WHOQOL-100 has good discriminant ability for psychiatric outpatients

The WHO quality of life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) - Investigating its discriminant ability for psychiatric outpatients

Item does not contain fulltextThis study scrutinizes the ability of the WHO quality of life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-100) to discriminate (1) between psychiatric outpatients and the general population, and (2) between subgroups of psychiatric outpatients. A sample of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients (N=410) completed the WHOQOL-100. In addition, DSM-IV Axis-I and Axis-II diagnoses were obtained. Compared with the general population, psychiatric outpatients scored significantly lower on all aspects of self-reported quality of life (QOL). Within the group of outpatients, participants with DSM-IV diagnoses had lower scores than those without. Participants with diagnoses on both Axis-I and Axis-II of DSM-IV (comorbidity) had the lowest self-reported QOL. It is concluded that in psychiatric outpatients, outcome scores of self-reported QOL were negatively related to presence and degree of psychopathology. The WHOQOL-100 has good discriminant ability for psychiatric outpatients