The interactive effect of metacognition and self-compassion on predicting meaning in life among individuals with schizophrenia.

Objective: Metacognition among people with schizophrenia is associated with desired outcomes but can also lead to the experience of psychological pain, affecting the individual’s sense of meaning in life. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the effect of metacognition on meaning in life was dependent on one’s level of self-compassion. Hypotheses were that both metacognition and self-compassion would be positively associated with meaning in life, and that the association between metacognition and meaning in life would be greater among people with high self-compassion than among people with low self-compassion. Method: The baseline data of 33 adults with schizophrenia, who were enrolled in a metacognitive reflection insight therapy (MERIT) trial, were used. Participants filled out self-report questionnaires regarding meaning in life and self-compassion, and were interviewed for an assessment of their metacognitive abilities. Analysis included a calculation of correlations and multiple linear regression models. Results: Correlational analysis showed that 2 subscales of self-compassion (self-kindness and mindfulness) and 1 subscale of metacognition (mastery) were related to meaning in life. Consistent with our hypotheses, regression analysis showed a moderating effect of self-compassion. Metacognition was found to have a positive significant correlation with meaning in life among participants who reported high levels of self-compassion. This effect was insignificant among participants reporting low or moderate levels of self-compassion. Conclusions: Among individuals with schizophrenia, self-compassion seems to be crucial in the ability to successfully utilize metacognition for attaining meaning in life. Implications for psychotherapy with people who have schizophrenia are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)Impact and Implications: Metacognition was found to have a positive significant correlation with meaning in life among participants who reported high levels of self-compassion and not among participants reporting low/moderate levels of self-compassion. These results highlight the importance of factors that enhance resilience and positive regard such as self-compassion in negotiating the paradoxical effects of awareness on outcome measures, among people with schizophrenia.