Hanan Yazbek1, Joanna Norton2, Delphine Capdevielle3, Aurore Larue2, Jean-Philippe Boulenger3, Marie-Christine Gély-Nargeot4, Stéphane Raffard5. 1. Epsylon EA 4556 Laboratory of Dynamics of Human Abilities & Health Behaviors, University of Montpellier, France; University Department of Adult Psychiatry, Hospital La Colombière, CHRU Montpellier, 39 avenue Charles Flahault, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. Electronic address: yazbek.hanan@gmail.com. 2. University Department of Adult Psychiatry, Hospital La Colombière, CHRU Montpellier, 39 avenue Charles Flahault, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. 3. INSERM U-1061, France; University Department of Adult Psychiatry, Hospital La Colombière, CHRU Montpellier, 39 avenue Charles Flahault, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. 4. Epsylon EA 4556 Laboratory of Dynamics of Human Abilities & Health Behaviors, University of Montpellier, France. 5. Epsylon EA 4556 Laboratory of Dynamics of Human Abilities & Health Behaviors, University of Montpellier, France; University Department of Adult Psychiatry, Hospital La Colombière, CHRU Montpellier, 39 avenue Charles Flahault, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Apathy in schizophrenia patients is linked to marked functional impairments and can be defined as a quantitative reduction of voluntary, goal-directed behaviors. If there are now convincing arguments to consider apathy as a multidimensional psychopathological state (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral), there is a lack of validated and standardized instruments for detecting apathy and assessing its multidimensional aspects in schizophrenia. The Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS) is a semi-structured interview, yielding a global score and composite subscores for the different domains of apathy and has been validated in several different contexts but not in schizophrenia patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the LARS and identify the distinct components of apathy in a sample of schizophrenia patients. METHODS: One hundred-and-twelve schizophrenia patients were included and they completed the LARS, The Calgary Depression Scale in Schizophrenia, the Positive and the Negative Syndrome Scale and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. The patient group was compared to 51 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Principal component analysis showed that the LARS proved a single construct which forms the root of an oblique factor structure reflecting four dimensions: novelty and social life, behavioral involvement, emotional involvement, and judgment skills. The main psychometric properties of the LARS were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the LARS has satisfactory psychometric properties when used in a different setting than the original version. The LARS is a promising instrument to examine apathy in schizophrenia through a multidimensional framework.
BACKGROUND:Apathy in schizophreniapatients is linked to marked functional impairments and can be defined as a quantitative reduction of voluntary, goal-directed behaviors. If there are now convincing arguments to consider apathy as a multidimensional psychopathological state (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral), there is a lack of validated and standardized instruments for detecting apathy and assessing its multidimensional aspects in schizophrenia. The Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS) is a semi-structured interview, yielding a global score and composite subscores for the different domains of apathy and has been validated in several different contexts but not in schizophreniapatients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the LARS and identify the distinct components of apathy in a sample of schizophreniapatients. METHODS: One hundred-and-twelve schizophreniapatients were included and they completed the LARS, The Calgary Depression Scale in Schizophrenia, the Positive and the Negative Syndrome Scale and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. The patient group was compared to 51 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Principal component analysis showed that the LARS proved a single construct which forms the root of an oblique factor structure reflecting four dimensions: novelty and social life, behavioral involvement, emotional involvement, and judgment skills. The main psychometric properties of the LARS were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the LARS has satisfactory psychometric properties when used in a different setting than the original version. The LARS is a promising instrument to examine apathy in schizophrenia through a multidimensional framework.
Authors: David S Miller; Philippe Robert; Larry Ereshefsky; Lawrence Adler; Daniel Bateman; Jeff Cummings; Steven T DeKosky; Corinne E Fischer; Masud Husain; Zahinoor Ismail; Judith Jaeger; Alan J Lerner; Abby Li; Constantine G Lyketsos; Valeria Manera; Jacobo Mintzer; Hans J Moebius; Moyra Mortby; Didier Meulien; Stephane Pollentier; Anton Porsteinsson; Jill Rasmussen; Paul B Rosenberg; Myuri T Ruthirakuhan; Mary Sano; Carla Zucchero Sarracini; Krista L Lanctôt Journal: Alzheimers Dement Date: 2021-05-05 Impact factor: 16.655