Objective: Social cognitive processes are shaped by cultural norms,
necessitating cultural adaptation and psychometric validation. This review
systematically examines Turkish tools used to assess social cognition in
neurology and psychiatry, summarizing their procedures and psychometric
properties.
Method: Following PRISMA 2020, we searched MEDLINE, Web of
Science, Scopus, and YOKSIS for studies up to May 2024. Using SRAccelerator’s
Polyglot, we developed database-specific keywords and
applied a PICOS-based search strategy. From 3,115 identified records,
157 studies met inclusion criteria. Among the Turkish tools used to assess
social cognition in psychiatric disorders or neurological diseases, those with
established validity and reliability, we extracted (i) task characteristics and
(ii) psychometric properties.
Results: A total of 31 tests and 15 scales were used across 157 studies,
covering 37 diagnoses, 9 studies with family members, and 2 with highrisk
groups. Psychometric properties were reported for 13 tests (41.9%)
and 8 scales (53.3%). Four tools were developed in Turkish: The Humor
Comprehension and Appreciation Test, the Test of Perception of Affect via
Nonverbal Cues, the Dokuz Eylül Theory of Mind Index, and the Child-
Adolescent KA-SI Empathic Tendency Scale. The most frequently used
test was the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (52.2%), while the Dokuz
Eylül Theory of Mind Index (45.8%) was the most used scale. The Faux Pas
Test and the Observable Social Cognition Scale had stronger psychometric
support. Internal consistency, test-retest, and inter-rater reliability were
assessed in 75%, 55%, and 30% of tools, respectively, while various validity
measures ranged from 45% (known-group validity) to 5% (ecological
validity). No test assessed social perception. The only tool that uses moviebased
material in Turkish was the Test of Perception of Affect Via Nonverbal
Cues.
Conclusion: This systematic review provides a comprehensive approach
to Turkish social cognition tools in neuropsychiatry. Nearly half lack
robust psychometric validation, and there is a critical gap in Turkish tools
measuring social perception.
Keywords: Neurology, psychiatric disorder, psychometrics, social cognition,
systematic review