Using the Brief Core Schema Scales with Individuals at Clinical High Risk of Psychosis

Background: The Brief Core Schema Scales (BCSS) were developed to provide a theoretically coherent self-report assessment of schemata concerning self and others in psychosis. They provide a more useful measure of schemata about self and others than traditional measures of self-esteem. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine if these scales would be useful in a sample of individuals who are at clinical high risk of psychosis to help identify targets for intervention. Method: Thirty-eight individuals who are at high risk for psychosis were administered the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms, the Calgary Depression Scale, the Brief Core Schema Scales and the Young Schema Questionnaire -short version. Results: Results suggested that these scales are appropriate for this Population and that negative evaluations of the self and others were significantly associated with attenuated psychotic symptoms and, in particular, Suspiciousness.