Face perception predicts affective theory of mind in autism spectrum disorder but not schizophrenia or typical development.

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SCZ) have overlapping symptomatology related to difficulties with social cognition. Yet, few studies have directly compared social cognition in ASD, SCZ, and typical development (TD). The current study examined individual differences in face recognition and its relation to affective theory of mind (ToM) in each diagnostic group. Adults with ASD (n = 31), SCZ (n = 43), and TD (n = 47) between the ages of 18 and 48 years-old with full scale IQ above 80 participated in this study. The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) measured affective ToM, and the Benton Facial Recognition Test (BFRT) measured face perception. Adults with ASD and SCZ did not differ in their affective ToM abilities, and both groups showed affective ToM difficulties compared with TD. However, better face recognition ability uniquely predicted better affective ToM ability in ASD. Results suggest that affective ToM difficulties may relate to face processing in ASD but not SCZ. By clarifying the complex nature of individual differences in affective ToM and face recognition difficulties in these disorders, the present study suggests there may be divergent mechanisms underlying pathways to social dysfunction in ASD compared with SCZ. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) General Scientific Summary—This study demonstrates that worse face recognition is associated with worse reasoning about emotional mental states of others in adults with autism but not schizophrenia or typical development. This suggests distinct underlying pathways to social dysfunction in adults with autism compared with schizophrenia and has practical implications for designing interventions aimed at improving social–cognitive abilities and reducing social difficulties in both disorders. Results suggest the value of targeting face perception in ASD but not SCZ to improve social cognition. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)