Reliability and validity of a local classification of schizophrenia

In this study an attempt was made to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and discriminant validity of a local classification of schizophrenia proposed by Rakhawi [1991]. A convenience sample of 94 male subjects with schizophrenia was assessed and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used as an external validator. The proposed classification demonstrated adequate inter-rater reliability comparable to operationally defined subtypes as well as adequate discriminant validity, i.e. each of the proposed types qualified as a distinct category. The implications of these findings in relation to other nosological approaches based on operational definitions were discussed

Thought disorder in schizophrenia: relation to activity and temporal dimensions [Part II]

The transcribed responses of 20 schizophrenic patients to a free verbalization interview and a word meaning test were subjected to a content analysis. Different variants of thought disorder were assessed in each test. The data collected were analysed respectively according to the time factor and to the activity dimension. The correlation between the activity dimension and the severity of thought disorder was found to be highly significant. However, no consistent significant findings were found in relation to the duration of the schizophrenic illness. Chronicity appeared to be much more dependent on the activity dimension than on the time factor. Moreover, both the word meaning test and the free verbalization interview proved to be useful tools in the screening of thought disorder

Ego functions in schizophrenia: clinical assessment

The present study represents an evaluation of the extent and the manner of impairment of ego functions in schizophrenic patients, and whether it is even or uneven. The clinical interview was used to assess 12 functions by five senior raters using a 10-point scale along the adaptive-maladaptive dimension. The study came forth with the following: [1] Ego functions are severely impaired in schizophrenia. [2] Severe impairments in ARISE, synthetic functioning and object relation perhaps represent the main disorders in schizophrenia. [3] Marked disturbances in judgment, reality testing and regulation and control may indicate acuteness or relapse of the schizophrenic process. [4] Intercorrelations among ego functions are present