Men and Women With First Episode Psychosis Present Distinct Profiles of Social Cognition and Metacognition

Abstract Deficits in social cognition and metacognition impact the course of psychosis. Gender differences in social cognition and metacognition could explain heterogeneity in psychosis. 174 (58 females) patients with first-episode psychosis completed a clinical, neuropsychological, social cognitive and metacognitive assessment. Subsequent latent profile analysis split by gender yielded 2 clusters common to both genders, a specific male profile characterized by presenting jumping to conclusions and a specific female profile characterized by cognitive biases. Males and females in the homogeneous profile seem to have a more benign course of illness. Males with jumping to conclusions had more clinical symptoms and more neuropsychological deficits. Females with cognitive biases were younger and had less self-esteem. These results suggest that males and females may benefit from specific targeted treatment and highlights the need to consider gender when planning interventions.