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. Psychometric properties of the instrument were analysed. Between-group difference in the mean scores of the Hinting Task was also calculated. Additionally, in the clinical group, the correlation of the severity of psychopathological symptoms with the result of the Hinting Task was also assessed.

Results: Results indicated satisfactory psychometric properties (internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and external validity) sufficient for between-group comparisons for research purposes. The presented test highly distinguished two assessed groups: individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Contrary to the expectations, in the clinical group scores in the Hinting Task did not correlate with the severity of psychopathological symptoms.

Conclusions: Polish translation of the Hinting Task has psychometric properties appropriate for the research setting. Usefulness of the Hinting Task in other clinical groups should be addressed in future research.