Theoretical Perspectives on the Minimal and Narrative Self in the Schizophrenia Spectrum: An Integrative Review

TL;DR

This paper reviews how the basic sense of self and personal identity interact in schizophrenia, suggesting three possible relationships between them.

Contribution

It introduces three theoretical models explaining how minimal and narrative self disturbances relate in schizophrenia.

Findings

The Structural model suggests minimal self-disorders cause narrative self-disturbances.

The Dialectical model proposes mutual influence between minimal and narrative self.

The Contextual model emphasizes environmental and biological factors shaping self-disorders.

Abstract

The self and its disorders in schizophrenia have been studied extensively over recent decades. Much of this literature is grounded in a bipartite understanding of the self, distinguishing the pre‐reflective, minimal self from the reflective, narrative self. However, few studies have systematically examined the links between disturbances at these two levels of self. This integrative review addresses this gap by analyzing both theoretical and empirical contributions. Three theoretical models are described. The Structural model posits that minimal self‐disorders hierarchically give rise to narrative self‐disturbances and the schizophrenia phenotype, with a primarily pathogenic focus. The Dialectical model emphasizes reciprocal interactions between minimal and narrative self‐disturbances, generating the schizophrenia phenotype with both pathogenic and salutogenic implications. The Contextual model highlights social, territorial, and biological dimensions of the self and its disorders in context. Empirical studies specifically addressing the mechanistic links between minimal and narrative self‐disturbances remain scarce and preliminary. Overall, the literature appears preliminary and occasionally speculative, yet it suggests several promising avenues for future research and clinically relevant applications.

This article is categorized under:
Philosophy > ConsciousnessPsychology > Theory and Methods

Philosophy > Consciousness

Psychology > Theory and Methods

The links between the minimal self (our most basic sense of being) and the narrative self (our personal story and identity) in schizophrenia are still unclear. They may work in three ways: the minimal self affecting the narrative self, both influencing each other, or both shaped by the person's context.

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