Dissociation of affect recognition and mood state from blunting in patients with schizophrenia

The present study was designed to investigate the relationships between exp ression, perception, and experience of emotion in schizophrenic patients wi th and without affective blunting. Cognitive processing speed, emotional pe rception, and emotional experience were assessed in 25 schizophrenic patien ts grouped according to scores on a measure of overt emotional expression ( Rating Scale for Emotional Blunting). Results showed dissociation of emotio nal expression from emotional perception and emotional experience. Blunted schizophrenic patients were no more impaired in the perception of emotion ( Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity) than non-blunted schizophrenic patients. In addition, groups did not differ in intensity of emotional experience as quantified on the self-report of arousal state (Positive and Negative Affec t Scales). Accuracy of perception and reported experience of emotion did no t differ between groups as a function of emotional valence. Cognitive proce ssing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test; SDMT) was related to blunting sc ore and to perception accuracy, although the SDMT did not differ between gr oups. Results are discussed in terms of a neuropathological basis for impai rment of emotional expression. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All r ights reserved.