The Relationship Between Traumatic Life Events and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Biases and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation

Abstract

Objective:  Negative symptoms significantly contribute to the burden of illness and reduced quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia. The primary aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of cognitive biases and difficulty in emotion regulation in the relationship between traumatic life events and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Methodology: This descriptive study employed a correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with schizophrenia hospitalized at Razi Psychiatric Hospital in 2023–2024. From this population, 200 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Trauma History Questionnaire, the Cognitive Bias Scale, and the Short Form of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software, as well as Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results: The findings indicated that cognitive biases and difficulty in emotion regulation mediated the relationship between traumatic life events and negative symptoms of schizophrenia (CFI = 1, NNFI = 0.99, IFI = 1, GFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.039).

Conclusion: Individuals with schizophrenia who experience traumatic life events are likely to exhibit negative symptoms due to cognitive biases and difficulties in emotion regulation. Therefore, training in emotion regulation skills and enhancing cognitive biases may serve as a critical component in the challenging task of treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia.