Journal List > Korean J Schizophr Res > v.22(2) > 1136569

Kim, Kim, and Kim: The Insight Paradox among Outpatients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Objectives

The primary objective was to test the phenomenon known as the insight paradox, which refers to the association between higher levels of insight and lower self-esteem, higher hopelessness, and a higher perception of social prejudice among patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

A total of 216 outpatients with schizophrenia according to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were recruited. All participants were receiving ongoing outpatient treatment and were in a stable phase of the disorder. The participants were divided into a good-insight (N=109) and a poor-insight (N=107) group by the direct interview and the mean score of questionnaire. The parameters used for analysis and comparison were demographic variables (age, gender, education), clinical variables (age at onset, number of hospitalizations), self-esteem, hopelessness, self-stigma, and quality of life.

Results

Compared with the poor-insight group, the good-insight group was found to have a lower number of hospitalizations, lower self-esteem, higher hopelessness, lower quality of life, and a higher level of internalized stigma.

Conclusion

The insight can cause the negative consequences in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, clinicians should pay attention to the negative aspects of insight for improving the quality of life in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the good and poor insight groups in the patient with schizophrenia

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Self-esteem was assessed with Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale. Hopelessness was assessed with the Korean version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Self-stigma was assessed with Korean version of the experience of stigma (9 items) in the Consumer Experiences of Stigma Questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed with the Korean version of Short-Form 36 Health Survey

Table 2

Dimension of the quality of life Area

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*: Reverse score. Quality of life was assessed with the Korean version of Short-Form 36 Health Survey

Table 3

Pearson correlations among insight, self-esteem, hopeless, stigma, and quality of life

kjsr-22-56-i003

Insight was assessed with Self-appraisal of illness questionnaire. Self-esteem was assessed with Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale. Hopelessness was assessed with the Korean version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Self-stigma was assessed with Korean version of the experience of stigma (9 items) in the Consumer Experiences of Stigma Questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed with the Korean version of Short-Form 36 Health Survey. *: p<0.01

Table 4

Comparison of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale between good and poor insight groups in the patient with schizophrenia

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Table 5

Comparison of the Beck hopelessness scale between good and poor insight groups in the patient with schizophrenia

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Table 6

Comparison of the experiences of stigma questionnaire between good and poor insight groups in the patient with schizophrenia

kjsr-22-56-i006

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