Characteristics of delusional experience

The characteristics of delusional experience were examined in a mixed group of 55 patients considered to be deluded; 11 belief characteristics were assessed by self-rating: conviction, preoccupation, interference, resistance, dismissibility, absurdity, self-evidentness, reassurance seeking, worry, u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean archives of psychiatry and neurological sciences Vol. 236; no. 5; p. 294
Main Authors Garety, P A, Hemsley, D R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 01.01.1987
Subjects
Delusions - psychology
Humans
Personality Inventory
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychometrics
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Summary:The characteristics of delusional experience were examined in a mixed group of 55 patients considered to be deluded; 11 belief characteristics were assessed by self-rating: conviction, preoccupation, interference, resistance, dismissibility, absurdity, self-evidentness, reassurance seeking, worry, unhappiness and pervasiveness. Only on level of conviction did no subject show a low score; on other dimensions there was considerable inter-subject variability. A principal components analysis indicated 4 components: distress, belief strength, obtrusiveness and concern. It is argued that delusions are most usefully regarded as multi-dimensional and, while characterised by conviction, vary considerably on other important dimensions.
ISSN:0175-758X
DOI:10.1007/BF00380955