ABSTRACT
AIM: While associations between creativity and psychopathology have been well researched, the specific cognitive processes that distinguish highly creative from those with psychopathology warrant further investigation. This study will examine whether IQ, executive function, cognitive inhibition or spatial working memory differentiate individuals with early psychosis, clinically vulnerable creative individuals, creative controls and non-creative controls. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 110 participants: early psychosis (n = 21); clinically vulnerable creative controls (n = 25); creative controls (n = 30) and non-creative control (n = 34). The Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis assessed early psychosis participants and the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to screen for psychopathology in the remaining groups. Several cognitive tests were administered: IQ, neurocognitive measures of executive function and spatial working memory. Creativity was assessed using the Torrance Test of Creativity and Creative Achievement Questionnaire. A measure of vividness of mental imagery was also given. RESULTS: Across all cognitive tests, spatial working memory differentiated the early psychosis group from both creative and non-creative control groups. Spatial working memory predicted group membership but vivid imagery was a better predictor of creative achievement. The early psychosis, clinically vulnerable creative and creative groups all recorded significantly higher results on creative achievement and creative cognition compared to non-creative controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide further support for spatial working memory as an early neuro-cognitive marker for early psychosis. Spatial working memory, rather than IQ or executive function, may also be an early protective factor for clinically vulnerable young creative individuals.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders , Psychotic Disorders , Executive Function , Humans , Memory, Short-Term , Neuropsychological Tests , Psychotic Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Objective: The association between creativity and psychopathology has intrigued researchers and recent studies have affirmed genetic and epidemiological links. In particular, epidemiological research highlights the need to study what aspects of the creative individual protect or provide risk for transition to psychosis. Two factors, associated with transition to psychosis, will be investigated, namely anxiety and adverse life events. Method: A diverse sample of 110 participants (18-35 years) was examined, including early psychosis (EP), creative professionals who are clinically vulnerable or "at-risk" (ARCC), those with no psychotic symptoms (CC), and non-creative (NCC) participants. Measures of anxiety (DASS) and adverse life events (ALE) were administered to the participants to determine whether these factors were positively or negatively associated with creativity and whether they were able to differentiate the EP from ARCC, CC and NCC participants. Results: Creative cognition and achievement were positively correlated with anxiety. The EP and ARCC groups were more closely aligned than expected on measures of anxiety and adverse life events. Childhood sexual/physical assault were the only variables that differentiated these two groups. Conclusions: These results provide further support for the association between creative professionals and those with early psychosis. It provides corroborating evidence of the vulnerability of creative individuals who appear to be aligned with the early psychosis group on anxiety, aspects of paranoia and overall trauma. The results provide possible innovative avenues for intervention in EP and ARCC.
Subject(s)
Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events/statistics & numerical data , Anxiety/epidemiology , Creativity , Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Paranoid Disorders/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Nurses in acute settings often lack the knowledge and experience to provide appropriate care for patients with dementia. Two specialist nurses at the Biggart Hospital in South Ayrshire, Scotland, used a questionnaire to determine staff attitudes to patients with dementia and designed a multidisciplinary training programme to improve practice in dementia care. This article describes the development, implementation and evaluation of the first stage of the programme.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Dementia/nursing , Inservice Training/organization & administration , Needs Assessment/organization & administration , Personnel, Hospital , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Models, Educational , Nursing Education Research , Patient Care Team , Personnel, Hospital/education , Personnel, Hospital/psychology , Prejudice , Program Development , Program Evaluation , Scotland , Surveys and Questionnaires , Total Quality ManagementABSTRACT
In NHS Ayrshire and Arran, almost 5500 people have a dementia diagnosis. This could increase by as much as 60% over the next 20 years (Alzheimer Scotland, 2007). National dementia strategies in the U.K. have identified a need for better training that supports staff in general hospitals. While all clinical settings will admit people with dementia, their specialist care needs are not always being met Better awareness will help ensure these are addressed on both admission and throughout their care journey. This is the second article describing a nurse led initiative to improve approaches towards dementia in a general community hospital. The first article (Crabtree and Mack, 2010) focused on raising awareness of dementia, while this follow-up article describes the development and implementation of a dementia champions programme.
