Theory of mind, humour processing and executive functioning in alcoholism

doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01656.x

If you are seeing this message, you may be experiencing temporary network problems. Please wait a few minutes and refresh the page. If the problem persists, you may wish to report it to your local Network Manager.

It is also possible that your web browser is not configured or not able to display style sheets. In this case, although the visual presentation will be degraded, the site should continue to be functional. We recommend using the latest version of Microsoft or Mozilla web browser to help minimise these problems.

Systems Maintenance, Monday, 15th February 2010

Wiley InterScience

Addiction

Volume 102 Issue 2, Pages 232 - 240

Published Online: 28 Nov 2006

Published on behalf of the Society for the Study of Addiction

Go to Society Site

< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >

Save Article to My Profile Download Citation Request Permissions

Abstract | References | Full Text: HTML, PDF (Size: 141K) | Related Articles | Citation Tracking

RESEARCH REPORT

Theory of mind, humour processing and executive functioning in alcoholism

J. Uekermann ¹ , S. Channon ² , K. Winkel ¹ , P. Schlebusch ³ & I. Daum ¹

¹ Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany, ² Department of Psychology, University College London, UK and ³ Hans-Prinzhorn-Klinik, Hemer, Germany

Correspondence to Jennifer Uekermann, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, GAFO 05/607, Ruhr-University of Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany. E-mail: jennifer.uekermann@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

KEYWORDS

Alcoholism • executive • humour • theory of mind

ABSTRACT

Aims Alcoholism is associated with cognitive deficits, which have been interpreted in terms of a specific vulnerability of the frontal lobes to the toxic effects of alcohol. While executive functions in alcoholism have been investigated extensively, only little work has been carried out on social cognition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between executive functions, theory of mind and humour processing in alcoholism.

Design, setting, participants and measurements A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was administered to 29 alcoholic patients (Alc) and 29 healthy controls (HC). The test battery included measurements of affect, general intellectual abilities, executive functions, humour processing and theory of mind. The two groups were comparable with respect to affective variables, IQ, gender and age.

Findings and conclusions Group comparisons revealed cognitive as well as affective humour processing deficits of alcoholics in comparison with HC. The observed impairments were related to theory of mind and executive functions. The deficits may contribute to interpersonal problems and are thus of relevance to rehabilitation.

Submitted 9 February 2006; initial review completed 16 May 2006; final version accepted 9 August 2006

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)

10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01656.x About DOI