The Cognitive Model of Stress in Genesis of Persecutory Delusions in Schizophrenia

Abstract

There are studies showing that in schizophrenia, stress factors could trigger or exacerbate psychotic symptoms. We assumed that stress will increase the level of worry of those who initially had low scores on the PSWQ scale, with a major impact on persecutory delusion, as well as affecting cognitive performance. Between January 2011 and December 2011, 120 patients with schizophrenia wanted to participate in the study. The levels of worry increased following exposure to a stressor and were correlated with increased severity of delusional ideation in patients with schizophrenia.