Theoretical Perspectives on the Minimal and Narrative Self in the Schizophrenia Spectrum

An Integrative Review

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22430243
AutoresFlorestan Delcourt (0009-0001-0465-5659, Université Paris Cité, autor de correspondencia), Henry R Cowan (0000-0001-9891-6903, Michigan State University), Jordan Sibeoni (0000-0001-9613-5513, Inserm), Mélissa C Allé (0000-0002-4120-7417, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Andreas C R Rasmussen (Amager Hospital), Rosa Ritunnano (0000-0002-7967-5830, University of Birmingham), Anne Giersch (0000-0002-8577-6021, Inserm), Fabian Lo Monte (0000-0002-3539-0868, Université Libre de Bruxelles), Jérôme Englebert (0000-0001-7240-0044, Université Libre de Bruxelles), Bernard Pachoud (0009-0009-1653-8896, Université Paris Cité)
Año2026
Volumen17
Número1
Páginase70023-e70023
Fecha de publicación2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaWIREs Cognitive Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1939-5078 • E-ISSN: 1939-5086
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/wcs.70023
PMID41699205
OpenAlexW7129278515
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas154

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 > Consciousness Psychology > Theory and Methods

Dialectic · Empirical research · Narrative · Narrative review · Reciprocal · Schizophrenia research · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Schizophrenia research and treatment