Dissertation defence (Health Science): MSc Joyce Yuen Ting LAM
MSc Joyce Yuen Ting LAM defends the dissertation in Health Science titled “Avolition: emotion-behaviour coupling in people with schizophrenia and schizotypal traits” at the University of Turku on 31 October 2025 at 12.00 (University of Turku, Educarium, Edu3, Assistentinkatu 5, Turku).
The audience can participate in the defence by remote access: https://utu.zoom.us/j/65980311976
Opponent: Adjunct Professor Jaana Suvisaari, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Custos: Professor Maritta Välimäki (University of Turku and University of Helsinki)
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Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:
Lack of motivation (avolition) is a core negative symptom of schizophrenia (SZ). It has been suggested that people with SZ have difficulty translating emotional experiences into action, resulting in a failure to seek pleasurable experiences or avoid aversive ones. Clinically, this often presents as difficulty initiating and sustaining tasks and goals. As a result, individuals with SZ may be perceived as passive or unwilling to engage in self-care or adhere to treatment, which can contribute to stigma and unfair judgments. On the other hand, it is also suspected that people with schizophrenia-like characteristics (schizotypal traits) may show similar motivational impairments, even though they do not have schizophrenia.
In this doctoral research, the association between emotional experience and effortful behaviour was examined using a computerised behavioural task among people with SZ and SZ-like traits. Further investigation explored its relations to working memory impairment and brain functional connectivity at rest in SZ. The results challenged the interpretation of previous studies and suggested that the disconnection of action from emotion may be more extensive. The linkage between this functional disconnection and working memory deficiency, as well as the unusual connectivity in salience network were unique in people with SZ. These findings help explain why motivation can be hard for people with schizophrenia. Healthcare providers should recognize that low motivation is part of the illness, not laziness, and provide care that is understanding and adapted to each person’s needs.
The audience can participate in the defence by remote access: https://utu.zoom.us/j/65980311976
Opponent: Adjunct Professor Jaana Suvisaari, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Custos: Professor Maritta Välimäki (University of Turku and University of Helsinki)
***
Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:
Lack of motivation (avolition) is a core negative symptom of schizophrenia (SZ). It has been suggested that people with SZ have difficulty translating emotional experiences into action, resulting in a failure to seek pleasurable experiences or avoid aversive ones. Clinically, this often presents as difficulty initiating and sustaining tasks and goals. As a result, individuals with SZ may be perceived as passive or unwilling to engage in self-care or adhere to treatment, which can contribute to stigma and unfair judgments. On the other hand, it is also suspected that people with schizophrenia-like characteristics (schizotypal traits) may show similar motivational impairments, even though they do not have schizophrenia.
In this doctoral research, the association between emotional experience and effortful behaviour was examined using a computerised behavioural task among people with SZ and SZ-like traits. Further investigation explored its relations to working memory impairment and brain functional connectivity at rest in SZ. The results challenged the interpretation of previous studies and suggested that the disconnection of action from emotion may be more extensive. The linkage between this functional disconnection and working memory deficiency, as well as the unusual connectivity in salience network were unique in people with SZ. These findings help explain why motivation can be hard for people with schizophrenia. Healthcare providers should recognize that low motivation is part of the illness, not laziness, and provide care that is understanding and adapted to each person’s needs.
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