M126. Behavioral Ecological Momentary Assessment in Schizotypy and Schizophrenia: Evidence of Social Dysfunction in Daily Life
Year: 2017
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background: Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a gold-standard tool for identifying real-world social phenomena across the schizophrenia-spectrum. As used traditionally, however, EMA falls prey to many of the same limitations as self-report instruments (eg, positive impression management, limits of conscious awareness, retrospective memory deficits). Recently, portable technologies have been developed that yield behavioral estimates of social functioning in daily life. Our aims in this study were to test whether behavioral EMA: (1) Demonstrated acceptability in schizotypy and schizophrenia samples; (2) Differentiated schizotypy, schizophrenia, and control groups on the number of words spoken per day in social interactions; and (3) Illustrated how word use varied over the course of daily life. Methods: To test these aims, participants in 3 groups (control, schizotypy, schizophrenia) received phone calls from study personnel and wore the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR)—a digital audio recorder that collects behavioral samples in a person’s natural environment—for 2 days. Behavioral EMA was conducted at random intervals throughout the course of the day; participants were blind to when recordings occurred. In total, approximately 2 hours of behavioral EMA data was collected for each participant. Total word use per day and estimates of word use across 4 periods (morning, afternoon, early evening, late evening) were calculated. Results: Three key findings emerged. First, behavioral EMA exhibited high acceptability, with all groups wearing the EAR for over 85% of their waking hours. Second, those with schizotypy (d = 0.69) and schizophrenia (d = 0.88) used significantly fewer words per day than control groups. Third, these differences were most apparent during the afternoon and early evening in schizotypy and in the later evening in schizophrenia. Conclusion: These findings represent the first time behavioral EMA has been tested in schizophrenia-spectrum populations: One of the most notable results was that this methodology can be implemented as a multi-faceted instrument to assess social functioning. By tracking social dysfunction in one’s natural environment, behavioral EMA holds the potential to more accurately identify those at the highest risk for future development or reoccurrence of psychotic symptoms. Future studies should measure social dysfunction longitudinally and examine how behavioral EMA functions at intermediate points on the schizophrenia-spectrum.
Source: Schizophrenia Bulletin
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2601419585