Males and females with first episode psychosis present distinct profiles of social cognition and metacognition

Ferrer-Quintero, Marta; Pousa, Esther; Spanish Metacognition Group; Ochoa, Susana

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00406-022-01438-0

Males and females with first episode psychosis present distinct profiles of social cognition and metacognition

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Ferrer-Quintero M, Fernández D, López-Carrilero R, Birulés I, Barajas A, Lorente-Rovira E, et al. Males and females with first episode psychosis present distinct profiles of social cognition and metacognition. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2022 Oct; 272(7): 1169-81. DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01438-0

Abstract

Deficits in social cognition and metacognition impact the course of psychosis. Sex differences in social cognition and metacognition could explain heterogeneity in psychosis. 174 (58 females) patients with first-episode psychosis completed a clinical, neuropsychological, social cognitive, and metacognitive assessment. Subsequent latent profile analysis split by sex yielded two clusters common to both sexes (a Homogeneous group, 53% and 79.3%, and an Indecisive group, 18.3% and 8.6% of males and females, respectively), a specific male profile characterized by presenting jumping to conclusions (28.7%) and a specific female profile characterized by cognitive biases (12.1%). Males and females in the homogeneous profile seem to have a more benign course of illness. Males with jumping to conclusions had more clinical symptoms and more neuropsychological deficits. Females with cognitive biases were younger and had lower self-esteem. These results suggest that males and females may benefit from specific targeted treatment and highlights the need to consider sex when planning interventions.