Objectives: To validate the French version of the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) in patients with schizophrenia.
Method: One hundred patients with schizophrenic disorders were included. Our statistical analyses evaluated interrater reliability, theoretical validity, and convergent or divergent validity. Finally, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted.
Results: The results revealed good psychometric properties for the French version of the SUMD. Both interrater reliability (ICC ranged from 0.68 to 1.00) and internal consistency (Cronbach 0.70) were satisfactory. Criterion validity was confirmed by high correlation values between SUMD scores and scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale G12 item evaluating insight. Moreover, as hypothesized, there were few associations between SUMD scores and clinical variables. Finally, Principal Component Analyses confirmed the hypothesis of 2 distinct insight dimensions (consciousness and attribution) for both present and past aspects.
Conclusions: This French version of the SUMD is a reliable and valid measure of insight in schizophrenia. The clinical relevance of its measure and the development of psychosocial interventions to improve insight into illness in patients with schizophrenia are discussed.