Factors associated with functional psychosocial status in first-episode psychosis

This study aimed to determine which of demographic/premorbid, psychiatric or neuropsychological variables are most closely associated with functional status around the time of diagnosis of first-episode psychosis. This was with a view to determining factors that should be the focus of intervention in these early stages of illness.

The Western Sydney First Episode Psychosis Project collected data on young persons (aged 13-25) with newly diagnosed psychosis (n=92). Psychosocial functional status was measured using the Role Functioning Scale (RFS). Multiple regression analyses were carried out to identify predictors of RFS score from a wide range of predictor variables.

Psychiatric variables accounted for the most variance in RFS score. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Negative subscale and Young Mania Rating Scale score were found to be significant individual predictors, with variables from the other domains failing to contribute to the overall model. In separate models, demographic/premorbid and neuropsychological factors weakly related to functional status.

Psychiatric factors were the main influence on psychosocial functioning in first-episode psychosis at baseline. Evidence suggests the relationships between symptoms, cognition and demographics with function might change over time, depending on the stage of illness being examined.