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We examined causal mechanisms of subjective cognitive (dis)abilities in schizophrenic and depressed patients, and in patient and normal control groups. This exploratory study included objective cognitive performance (Continuous Performance Task) as well as mood and mental effort ratings. Self-report of cognitive dysfunction in patients was not correlated with objective cognitive deficits. Correlational patterns differed between groups. Our findings in schizophrenic and depressed patients point to different causal mechanisms of their subjective cognitive malaise, despite similar subjective ratings. Depressed patients associate high mental effort during task performance with a reduced cognitive efficacy, whereas schizophrenic patients associate high effort with cognitive symptoms like distractibility and overload.

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The feasibility of computerized psychological testing was investigated in a sample of 452 consecutive psychiatric outpatients. Forty‐six percent of the solicited patients agreed to participate in the computerized assessment. Tested patients were significantly younger and better educated than those who refused. In general, patients reacted favorably to the computerized assessment. Education level, previous experience with computers, and attitude toward computers were related to successful patient‐computer interaction. It is concluded that computerized assessment is not feasible for all psychiatric outpatients and that a pre–(computer) assessment interview may be helpful in order to familiarize older and less educated patients with the nature and functions of computerized psychological assessment.