# Social Cognition in Latinx Individuals with Schizophrenia

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $21,559

## Abstract

7. PROJECT SUMMARY
Individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder who identify as an ethnic minority are at greater risk of
experiencing mental health care disparities, attributed in part to a lack of fit between treatment approaches and
cultural preferences. Given the rapid growth of Latinxs in the U.S., estimated to account for 29% of the
population by 2050, attention to cross-cultural research with Latinxs is essential for equitable schizophrenia
treatment delivery to this underrepresented and underserved population. For instance, social cognition has
emerged as an important treatment target for functional recovery in schizophrenia, but scholars have called
attention to the predominately Western understanding of social cognition and point to concerns about the
cross-cultural validity of social-cognitive tasks used in clinical trials.
With a focus on social cognition, the current project proposes a research training plan that facilitates the
applicant’s development into an independent researcher addressing disparities in mental health outcomes for
Latinxs living with schizophrenia by (1) gaining expertise in psychometric analyses with a focus on cross-
cultural validation that ensures fair assessment during clinical trials, (2) implementing best practices for
research with Latinxs living with schizophrenia, and (3) conducting community-engaged research methodology
that allows for the involvement of service users in the development of culturally-appropriate interventions.
The complementary research plan aims to generate a better understanding of how the measurement and
construct of social cognition might differ between Latinx individuals living with schizophrenia and their white
peers. The specific aims are to (1) evaluate the psychometric properties of field-standard measures of social
cognition in a secondary data set of Latinxs with schizophrenia (n = 71); (2) to investigate the functional
significance of social-cognitive treatment targets in this same sample, as well as the potential influence of
acculturation; and (3) conduct and analyze culturally-focused cognitive interviews (n = 30) to identify potential
cultural bias within the measures. Previous research has shown that cognitive interviews are effective for
elucidating sociocultural factors that influence the item-response process and go beyond quantitative methods
by providing an opportunity to identify the source, rather than just the presence, of measurement disparities.
The implications for such information include the development of culturally-relevant psychosocial interventions
that target social-cognitive deficits in Latinxs living with schizophrenia, in line with NIMH’s Strategic Plan (Goal
4, Objective 4.3). Innovative service delivery models for the Latinx population living with schizophrenia can
assist with improved acceptability, access, and effectiveness of treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10855761
- **Project number:** 5F31MH131334-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Ana Teresa Flores
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $21,559
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-03-02 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10855761

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10855761, Social Cognition in Latinx Individuals with Schizophrenia (5F31MH131334-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10855761. Licensed CC0.

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