Examining subjective experience of social cognition in early psychosis: validation of the Italian version of the GEOPTE scale in an adolescent and young adult clinical sample

L. Pelizza 1 2, S. Azzali 1, S. Garlassi 1, I. Scazza 1, F. Paterlini 1, L.R. Chiri 3, M. Poletti 1, S. Pupo 4, A. Raballo 5

1 Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addiction, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy; 2 Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addiction, Azienda USL di Parma, Italy; 3 Department of Primary Care, Azienda USL di Parma, Italy; 4 Service of Anesthesiology and Resuscitaton, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Parma, Italy; 5 Division of Psychiatry, “Santa Maria della Misericordia” Hospital, University of Perugia, Italy

Objective

Social cognition is a set of cognitive processes that underlie social interactions. Prior research found that social cognitive impairment is an important determinant of functional outcome in early psychosis. Aim of this study was to assess reliability and validity of the Italian version of GEOPTE scale (i-GEOPTE) of social cognition for psychosis in a clinical sample of adolescent and young adult community help-seekers. 

Methods

The i-GEOPTE scale was completed by 325 individuals (aged 13-35 years) entered the “Reggio Emilia At-Risk Mental States” (ReARMS) program. Reliability was evaluated examining internal consistency (using Cronbach(s alpha) and calculating short-term (2-week) coefficient of stability. Concordant validity was established with CAARMS (“Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States”) subscale scores using Spearman(s correlation coefficients. A confirmatory factor analysis was also carried out.

Results

The i-GEOPTE showed good to excellent short-term test-retest reliability (coefficient of stability = 0.813 for i-GEOPTE total score) and internal consistency (Cronbach(alpha = 0.90). Moreover, i-GEOPTE total scores had significant positive correlations with CAARMS subscale and item scores measuring subjective change of soco-cognitive functions.

Conclusions

The i-GEOPTE showed satisfactory psychometric properties. Thus, it appears to be a suitable instrument for assessing subjective experience of social cognition in Italian mental health care services, also in order to evaluate functional outcomes of intervention.

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