Social cognitive bias increases loneliness both directly and by decreasing social connection in patients with schizophrenia.

While considerable emphasis has been put on investigating the mechanisms that drive reduced social connection in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), recent studies have increasingly focused on the issue of loneliness in SCZ. As both social cognitive bias and self-reported empathy predict loneliness in non-clinical populations, the current study aims to examine the relationship between loneliness, reduced social connection and social cognitive biases, and self-reported empathy in SCZ. Ninety-three adult SCZ and sixty-six matched healthy individuals completed a battery of questionnaires measuring loneliness and social connection (Revised-UCLA Loneliness Scale, Lubben-Social Network Scale, Social Disconnectedness Scale), cognitive biases (Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire, Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases Scale, Cognitive Biases Questionnaire for psychosis) and self-reported empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index).

Loneliness is associated with mentalizing and emotion recognition abilities in schizophrenia, but only in a cluster of patients with social cognitive deficits.

Objective: Loneliness is a concern for patients with schizophrenia. However, the correlates of loneliness in patients with schizophrenia are unclear; thus, the aim of the study is to investigate neuro- and social cognitive mechanisms associated with loneliness in individuals with schizophrenia.

Method: Data from clinical, neurocognitive, and social cognitive assessments were pooled from two cross-national samples (Poland/USA) to examine potential predictors of loneliness in 147 patients with schizophrenia and 103 healthy controls overall.

Mentalizing abilities mediate the impact of the basic social perception on negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Social cognitive deficits are currently considered as one of the main predictors of clinical symptoms and functional outcome in patients with schizophrenia. Multiple studies have suggested that a two-factor solution (low-level vs. high-level) best describes the structure of social cognitive processes in patients.

Polish version of the Hinting Task - pilot study with patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: The main goal of the study was an adaptation and validation of the Hinting Task to Polish language. The Hinting Task is the main instrument used to assess theory of mind deficits in individuals with schizophrenia.

Methods: Two groups were compared in the course of the study: individuals with schizophrenia and people without a history of mental and neurological disorders.

Mental Well-Being During Pandemic: The Role of Cognitive Biases and Emotion Regulation Strategies in Risk Perception and Affective Response to COVID-19.

Both cognitive appraisals of risks associated with the specific disease and affective response to crisis situations have been shown to shape an individual response to pandemics. COVID-19 pandemic and measures introduced to contain it present an unparalleled challenge to mental well-being worldwide. Here, we examine the relationship between self-reported cognitive biases (CB) and emotion regulation skills (ER), COVID-19 risk perception and affective response, and mental well-being (MWB).