Self-esteem, cognitive functioning and perception of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. An application of Mind Training Program

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between self-esteem, symptomatology, cognitive functioning and self-reported cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia, and evaluate the effectiveness of a Mind Training Program specifically designed to work self-esteem through cognitive exercises in these patients. The 83 patients with schizophrenia who participated were assessed with the Scale of Positive and Negative Syndrome, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the “MATRICS Battery”. Subsequently, 40 of these patients were randomized to one of two experimental groups: one that was trained for 10 weeks with a “Mind Training Program” and another that received no training. The results indicate the existence of a negative correlation between self-esteem and self-reported cognitive deficits, so that patients with higher self-esteem have a lower perception of their cognitive deficits. On the other hand, the Mind Training program was not effective in improving symptoms, cognition and self-esteem of these patients.