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The role of Theory of Mind and Empathy levels in Anxiety Disorders Symptomatology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

G. Santarelli ,
M. Innocenti ,
V. Faggi ,
V. Miglietta ,
I. Colpizzi ,
F. Galassi ,
G. Castellini  and
V. Ricca
G. Santarelli*
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, Firenze, Italy
M. Innocenti
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, firenze, Italy
V. Faggi
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, firenze, Italy
V. Miglietta
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, firenze, Italy
I. Colpizzi
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, firenze, Italy
F. Galassi
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, firenze, Italy
G. Castellini
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, firenze, Italy
V. Ricca
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Human Health Sciences, firenze, Italy
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Theory of Mind (ToM) is defined as the ability to understand mental states of other people. Recent studies explored its role in various psychopathological disorders, but evidence lacks on the relationship existing between specific psychopathological domains and ToM.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the relationship between psychopathology of Anxiety Disorders (AD) and Theory of Mind.

Methods

We enrolled 35 patients admitted to the Psychiatric Unit of Careggi Hospital in Florence with diagnosis of AD. We administered them: Zung Anxiety Scale (ZSAS), Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), and Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RMET). Pearson’s correlation was used to assess relationships between variables.

Results

A significant positive correlation was detected between RMET scores and ZSAS total scores (r=0.385, p=0.022), MCQ-30 Negative Beliefs about Uncontrollability and Danger subscale (MCQ-30-Neg, r=0.407, p=0.015), and MCQ-30 Cognitive Self-Consciousness subscale (MCQ-30-CSC, r=0.349, p=0.040).

Correlations between the variables in the study and Reading the mind in the eyes total scores are shown.
RMET total score
rp
MCQ-30-Neg0.4070.015
MCQ-30-CSC0.3490.040
MCQ-30 Positive beliefs about Worry0.0730.667
MCQ-30 Lack of Cognitive Confidence-0.2450.155
MCQ-30 Need to Control Thoughts0.3110.069
ZSAS total scores0.3850.022

Conclusions

Such preliminary data suggest a relationship between Theory of Mind and AD psychopathology. In particular, some dimensions of AD psychopathology seem to predict higher Theory of Mind levels.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Keywords

EmpathyTheory of MindAnxiety disordersAnxiety
Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 65 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 30th European Congress of Psychiatry , June 2022 , pp. S387
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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