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Anticipation of pleasure - a key aspect of hedonic experience - is a motivating factor for engaging in activities. Low levels of anticipatory pleasure and activity are found in individuals with psychosis. Cognitive factors (e.g., working memory and IQ) have been a focus of explanation for anticipation of pleasure in psychosis. However, cognitive factors do not fully account for such difficulties. It is plausible that emotional factors (e.g., depression, self-beliefs) also contribute. We examined anticipatory pleasure in relation to cognitive and emotional processes in patients with current psychosis. 128 patients with persecutory delusions in the context of non-affective psychosis completed assessments of anticipatory pleasure, cognitive functioning, emotional processes, and activity. Lower anticipatory pleasure was significantly associated with depression, insomnia, negative-self beliefs, suicidal ideation, poorer psychological wellbeing, and paranoia-related avoidance. There were no significant associations with working memory, physical activity, or meaningful activity.  Emotional factors may play a more significant role than cognitive difficulties in the experience of anhedonia in psychosis. However, the cross-sectional design precludes causal inferences. Future research should examine whether, for example, improving self-concept or reducing paranoia-related avoidance leads to improvement in anticipatory pleasure in patients with psychosis.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113697

Type

Journal article

Journal

Psychiatry Res

Publication Date

03/2021

Volume

297

Keywords

Activity, Anhedonia, Anticipatory pleasure, Avoidance, Cognition, Paranoia, Self-concept, Adult, Anhedonia, Anticipation, Psychological, Cognition, Cross-Sectional Studies, Emotions, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Paranoid Disorders, Pleasure, Psychotic Disorders