Neurocognition, Social Cognition, and Functional Outcome in Schizophrenia and High-Functioning Autism
Shannon Couture

This dissertation investigated the relationships amongst neurocognition, social cognition, and functional outcome using path models.  I contrasted how the models fit in schizophrenia and high-functioning autism samples, and concluded that the relationship between neurocognition and social cognition appeared to be stronger within the schizophrenia sample.  It also appeared that there was modest support for social cognition serving as a mediator between neurocognition and functional outcome within the schizophrenia sample.

See related publications: Sasson, N., Hurley, R., Couture, S., Penn, D. L., Piven, J., Tsuchiya, N., & Adolphs, R. (2007). Autism and schizophrenia share a fixation impairment to social stimuli but differ in social orientation. Neuropsychologia, 45, 2580-2588.

Couture, S. M., Roberts, D. L., & Penn, D.L. (2006). The functional significance of social cognition in schizophrenia: A review. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 32 (Suppl. 1), S44-S63.

Couture, S., & Penn, D. L. (2003). Interpersonal contact and the stigma of mental illness: A review of the literature. Journal of Mental Health, 12, 291-305.

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Development and initial evaluation of a psychosocial intervention
for first-episode psychosis
Evan Waldheter

This dissertation involved manual development/standardization and pilot test of a novel cognitive-behavioral intervention for individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis.  The treatment aims to assist clients in managing their illness more effectively, and places particular
emphasis on facilitating functional recovery (i.e., improved social/occupational functioning).  Pilot data suggested that the intervention was associated with symptomatic and social functioning
improvements, and was well-received by clients and therapists

See related publication: Waldheter, E. J., Penn, D. L, Perkins, D. O., Mueser, K. T., Owens, L. W., & Cook, E. (2008). The graduated recovery intervention program for first episode psychosis: Treatment development and preliminary data. Community Mental Health Journal, 44, 443-455.

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Development and preliminary evaluation of a social cognition intervention for outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
David Roberts

This was a study of Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) among individuals with schizophrenia in North Carolina and New York.

See related publications: Penn, D.L., Roberts, D.L., Combs, D., Sterne, A. (2007) Best practices: The development of the Social Cognition and Interaction Training program for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Psychiatric Services, Apr;58(4), 449-51.

Combs, D. R., Adams, S. D., Penn, D. L., Roberts, D. L., Tiegreen, J., & Stem, P. (2007). Social Cognition and Interaction Training for inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Preliminary findings. Schizophrenia Research, 91, 112-116.

Penn, D. L., Roberts, D. L., Munt, E., Silverstein, E., & Sheitman, B. (2006). A pilot study of Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) for Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 80, 357-359.

Roberts, D., & Penn, D. L. (2009). Social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) for outpatients with schizophrenia: A preliminary study. Psychiatry Research, 166, 141-147.

Roberts, D. L., Penn, D. L., Sterne, A., Margolis, S., & Labate, D. (in review). A feasibility and effectiveness trial of Social Cognition and Interaction Training for schizophrenia in a network of community clinics.

Roberts, D. L., Penn, D. L., Corrigan, P. W., Lipkovitch, I., & Black, R.
(under review). The effects of antipsychotic medication on social cue recognition in schizophrenia.

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Do Similar Neural Profiles Underlie Social Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia and High-Functioning Autism?
Amy Pinkham

See related publication: Pinkham, A. E., Hopfinger, J. B., Pelphrey, K. A., Piven, J., & Penn, D. L.. (2008). Neural bases of impaired social cognition in schizophrenia and autism-spectrum disorders. Schizophrenia Research, 99, 164-175.

Pinkham, A. E., Hopfinger, J. B., Ruparel, K. & Penn, D. L. (2008). An investigation of the relationship between activation of a social cognitive neural network and social functioning. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 34, 688-697.

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Prospective Evaluation of Clinically Relevant Risk Factors in Childhood- and Adolescent-Onset Psychotic Disorders
Abigail Judge

Psychotic disorders with an onset in childhood and adolescence are associated with a more severe illness presentation and malignant course than those with an onset in adulthood. Despite this, their longitudinal course has been studied only to a limited extent and often utilizing statistical methods inappropriate for repeated measures data. Accordingly, the current study prospectively evaluated the predictive effects of clinically relevant factors on illness course utilizing a longitudinal database from a grant-supported investigation. Hierarchical linear modeling and multiple regressions were utilized to evaluate the predictive effects of risk factors on level of psychiatric symptoms at 2-5 year follow-up among children and adolescents with well characterized psychotic disorders (i.e., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depression with psychosis). Psychotic and general symptoms decreased significantly over time but none of the examined covariates explained significant variance in the observed changes. Supplementary analyses evaluated the effects of two design characteristics (i.e., study effect and rater bias) on the observed changes and found significant rater effects with respect to measures of select psychotic symptoms. General psychiatric symptoms decreased during the follow-up period with a significant interaction to characterize this change, with observed changes in psychotic symptoms appearing to be the artifacts of rater bias. Clinical implications with respect to development effects on symptom presentation and methodological considerations, including the importance of modeling rater effects within clinical research, were discussed.  

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Loving-kindness meditation to enhance the psychological recovery of individuals with persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia: A pilot study
David Johnson

The proposed group treatment, loving-kindness meditation (LKM), will be tested for its feasibility and initial efficacy in a pilot sample of 18 participants with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders who have persistent negative symptoms. Consistent with the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, LKM is hypothesized to increase the frequency and intensity of positive emotions in participants’ lives. This is expected to broaden participants’ cognitive and behavioral repertoires and in turn lead to increases in personal resources and life satisfaction. These personal resources include psychological well-being and anticipatory pleasure, a key component of the anhedonic deficit in negative symptomatology. This pilot study will not directly test the mechanisms proposed through the theory but will indirectly explore this theory through analyses of outcomes pre- and post-treatment. If results are consistent with theory, LKM could be a promising intervention as there are few effective treatments for negative symptoms.

See related publication: Johnson, D. P., Penn, D. L., Fredrickson, B. L., Kring, A. M., Meyer, P. S. & Brantley, M. (2009). Loving-kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65, 499-599.

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