Abstract
Objective:
To investigate the hypothesis that the content of delusions and hallucinations is significantly influenced by subjects ' global self-esteem and by 5 specific areas of self-esteem.
Method:
The delusions and hallucinations of 40 psychotic patients were assessed by 2 independent raters for content indicative of positive or negative self-esteem and for the extent to which the delusional content would be self-enhancing (or diminishing) and comforting (or discomforting) to the subject. These ratings were correlated with the results of self-esteem inventories completed by the subjects.
Results:
The content of delusions reflects both global self-esteem and self-regard.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that 2 specific personality factors, global self-esteem and self-regard, are reflected in the content of delusions and influence whether those delusions are experienced as comfortable (or uncomfortable) and enhancing (or diminishing). Delusional content is therefore consistent with patients ' views of themselves, and this may partially account for the persistence of delusions.