Final answer:
Poverty of speech is associated with a negative symptom when discussing mental health disorders. It is characterized by a decrease in the fluency and productivity of speech, contrasting with positive symptoms that include additional or exaggerated functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Poverty of speech is primarily associated with a negative symptom of a disorder, particularly in the context of mental health. Negative symptoms refer to the absence or reduction of normal functions. The presence of poverty of speech means there is a diminishment or a lack of typical verbal communication. On the contrary, positive symptoms refer to an excess or distortion of normal functions, such as hallucinations or delusions. Cognitive symptoms involve problems with thought processes, and affective symptoms involve emotions and mood. Hence, poverty of speech is most correctly identified as a negative symptom.