The Relationship Between Confidence in Cognitive Abilities, Role Functioning, and MCCB Performance in First-Episode Psychosis
Poster B19, Tuesday, October%209, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Emma Parrish1,2,3, Emily Kline1,2, Michelle Friedman-Yakoobian1,2,3; 1Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry, 2Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 3Center for Early Detection, Assessment & Response to Risk (CEDAR) Clinic
Background: Neuropsychological performance is a predictor of functioning in schizophrenia and first episode psychosis (FEP). Individuals’ beliefs about their abilities are also likely to impact behaviors and performance. However, there is no known research on whether confidence in cognition affects neuropsychological performance and role functioning. Method: A new measure, the Cognitive Confidence Scale (CCS) is a 12-item self-report measure that asks participant to rate their confidence in a range of areas of cognitive ability. A pilot sample of FEP clients were assessed with the CCS, the global functioning role scale (GFR), and the MATRICS Cognitive Consensus battery (MCCB) (n=20). We investigated whether cognitive confidence (CC) was correlated with GFR or performance on the MCCB, or if CC moderates the relationship between GFR and MCCB performance. Results: CCS subscales and totals did not significantly correlate with MCCB performance. A regression predicting GFR from MCCB performance and CCS was significant, F(2,17)=3.942, p=0.039, with both predictors contributing independently to prediction of role functioning. A moderation analysis showed a significant trend in a moderator variable, F(1, 16)=3.620, p=0.075, with CCS moderating the relationship between GFR and MCCB performance. Discussion: Although CC was not related to cognitive performance in this pilot sample, CC may moderate the influence of MCCB performance on GFR. This suggests that in order to remediate functional deficits, clinicians must not only address cognitive abilities but also address clients’ confidence in their abilities. Results are limited by the small sample size, but provide a starting off point for future studies and exploration.
Topic Area: Neurocognition