The relationship between insight and social rank appraisals in people with schizophrenia

Objectives. The relationship between insight and appraisals of social rank in people with schizophrenia was examined. Method. Seventy people with schizophrenia completed self‐report measures of insight and social rank. Two points of comparison were used for social rank appraisal: (1) the person's mental health worker; and (2) the general population. Results. Greater awareness of illness was associated with lower social rank appraisals when the participants compared themselves to the general population (r=−.25, p=.04). Social rank appraisals and duration of illness predicted 14.5% of the variance in insight scores. Conclusions. The relationship between insight and depressive reactions in people diagnosed with schizophrenia may be modulated by social rank appraisal.