Depersonalization as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Self-Focused Attention and Auditory Hallucinations
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The purpose of this work was to study the potentially mediating role of certain dissociative factors, such as depersonalization, between self-focused attention and auditory hallucinations. A total of 59 patients diagnosed with schizophrenic disorder completed a self-focused attention scale ( M. F. Scheier & C. S. Carver, 1985 ), the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (M. Sierra & G. E. Berrios, 2000), and the hallucination and delusion items on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (S. R. Kay, L. A. Opler, & J. P. Lindenmayer, 1988). The results showed that self-focused attention correlated positively with auditory hallucinations, with delusions, and with depersonalization. It was also demonstrated that depersonalization has a mediating role between self-focused attention and auditory hallucinations but not delusions. In the discussion, the importance of dissociative processes in understanding the formation and maintenance of auditory hallucinations is suggested.
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Clinically significant levels of depersonalisation are common in individuals who have psychotic symptoms.
“Studies suggest that clinically significant levels of depersonalisation are common in individuals who have psychotic symptoms and are associated with increased impairment.”
From A brief CBT intervention for depersonalisation/derealisation in psychosis: Study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial (2016) · cites this paper as [26]
Studies examining depersonalisation symptoms in schizophrenia suggest that depersonalisation may be more common in those experiencing hallucinations, compared to those with delusions only.
“Similarly, studies examining depersonalisation symptoms in schizophrenia suggest that depersonalisation may be more common in those experiencing hallucinations, compared to those with delusions only, and when present are associated with more severe psychotic symptoms [26–28].”
From A brief CBT intervention for depersonalisation/derealisation in psychosis: Study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial (2016) · cites this paper as [26]
When depersonalisation is present in schizophrenia, it is associated with more severe psychotic symptoms.
“Similarly, studies examining depersonalisation symptoms in schizophrenia suggest that depersonalisation may be more common in those experiencing hallucinations, compared to those with delusions only, and when present are associated with more severe psychotic symptoms [26–28].”
From A brief CBT intervention for depersonalisation/derealisation in psychosis: Study protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial (2016) · cites this paper as [26]
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- Authors
- Perona-Garcelán, S., Carrascoso-López, F., García-Montes, J. M., Vallina-Fernández, O., Pérez-Álvarez, M., Ductor-Recuerda, M. J., Salas-Azcona, R., Cuevas-Yust, C., & Gómez-Gómez, M. T.
- Affiliations
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío (ES)
- Universidad de Sevilla (ES)
- Venue
- Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-10
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 535-548
- ISSN
- 1529-9732 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-9740
- OpenAlex
- W2051836398
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 2.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-nd
- Locations
- Journal of Trauma & Dissociation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Consultation of the Doctoral Thesis Database (TESEO) (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hallucinations in medical conditions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Keywords
- depersonalization, self-focus, auditory hallucinations, delusions, schizophrenia, dissociation, mediation
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attention, Awareness, Cognitive Dissonance, Defense Mechanisms, Delusions, Depersonalization, Female, Hallucinations, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Schizophrenia, Paranoid, Schizophrenic Psychology
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