Heightened Subjective Distress as an Indicator of the Severity of Thought Disorder

Abstract

Utilizing Bannister and Fransella's Grid Test of Schizophrenic Thought Disorder and a brief “level of distress” rating scale, the relationship between subjective stress and structural thought disorder was examined on a sample of 38 schizophrenic inpatients. Based on initial intensity and consistency scores, all patients were assigned to one of the following three groups: thought-disordered, intermediate, or non-thought-disordered. After 8 wk., the patients were again administered the grid test and distress-rating scale. Patients in the thought-disordered group who reported the most distress were functioning under the greatest conceptual disorganization. No relationship was evidenced between the intermediate and non-thought-disordered group's distress ratings and grid test scores, however. Theoretical implications of the results are discussed.