Theoretical Perspectives on the Minimal and Narrative Self in the Schizophrenia Spectrum: An Integrative Review.
Florestan Delcourt, Henry R Cowan, Jordan Sibéoni, Mélissa C Allé, Andreas C R Rasmussen, Rosa Ritunnano, Anne Giersch, Fabian Lo Monte, Jérôme Englebert, Bernard Pachoud
Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Cognitive science January 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1002/wcs.70023 via PubMed
Summary
Disturbances of the self in schizophrenia are often described as affecting two levels: a pre-reflective, minimal sense of self and a reflective, narrative self. This review synthesizes theoretical models linking these levels. The Structural model suggests minimal self-disorders hierarchically cause narrative disturbances. The Dialectical model proposes reciprocal interactions between both levels with both pathogenic and salutogenic effects. The Contextual model adds social, territorial, and biological dimensions. Empirical studies directly examining mechanisms linking these self-levels remain scarce and preliminary, indicating a need for further research.
Study at a glance
| Design | systematic review |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Empirical studies directly examining mechanistic links between minimal and narrative self-disturbances in schizophrenia remain scarce and preliminary. |
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 > Consciousness Psychology > Theory and Methods.