Insight, symptoms and executive functions in schizophrenia.

Introduction. We investigated the relationship of insight with executive functions and symptoms in a group of stabilised inpatients with schizophrenia. Methods. Executive functions using an extensive battery constituted of several tests as well as psychopathology were assessed in 38 inpatients with a DSM‐IV diagnosis of schizophrenia. Insight was assessed with the Scale to assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD). Results. A principal component analysis of the insight dimensions revealed a three‐factor model which accounted for 98% of the variance. Of particular interest is the finding that a composite factor that accounted for 74% of the variance covered insight dimensions that represent a higher degree of insight (awareness of mental disorder, its social consequences, and attribution of symptoms). Only an association between letter fluency and this composite factor was found, which was weakly mediated by depressive symptoms. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed a relationship between ant...