Performance of subjects with and without severe mental illness on a clinical test of problem solving.

摘要: Severe mental illness is associated with impairments in executive functions, such as conceptual reasoning, planning, and strategic thinking all of which impact problem solving. The present study examined the utility a novel assessment tool for solving, Rapid Assessment Problem Solving Test (RAPS) persons severe illness. Subjects were 47 outpatients an equal number healthy controls matched age gender. Results confirmed hypotheses respect to how subjects would perform on RAPS. Specifically, severely mentally ill (1) solved fewer problems RAPS, (2) when they did solve test, so far less efficiently than their counterparts, (3) two groups differed markedly types questions asked control tended take systematic, organized, but not always optimal approach solving used some strategies controls, performance was consistent deteriorate complexity task increased. This reflected by high degree guessing lieu asking constraint questions, particularly if category-limited question insufficient continue effort.