Cumulative social disadvantage and psychosis: findings from a Southern Italy case-control study
Poster C81, Saturday, October 22, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Lucia Sideli1, Alice Mulè1, Caterina La Cascia1, Crocettarachele Sartorio1, Laura Ferraro1, Giada Tripoli1, Fabio Seminerio1, Anna Maria Marinaro1, Daniele La Barbera1; 1Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Aim: There are consistent evidence suggesting that psychotic disorders are associated to social disadvantage and isolation in adulthood, but only a few studies have investigated the impact of social risk factors on psychosis in Italy. This study aimed to replicate existing findings in a case-control sample from Southern Italy. Methods: 134 individuals presenting for the first time to mental health services with an ICD 10 diagnosis of psychosis and 175 population controls from Palermo (Italy) were enrolled as part of the Sicilian Genetics and Psychosis study. Information about current social indicators was collected by the modified version of the Medical Research Council (MRC) socio-demographic scale. Results: Unemployment, no relationship, and limited social network were independently associated with psychotic disorders. By contrast, cases were more likely to live with their parents or other relatives, rather than alone or with their own family. A cumulative index of social disadvantage was computed using three proxies (range 0-3). Controlling for gender, age, education level and family history of psychosis, there was evidence of an effect of increased level of social disadvantage on increased risk for psychosis (adj. OR (95% CI): level 1= 2.72 (1.29- 5.74), level 2= 15.29 (5.99-39.03), level 3= 17.70 (4.30-72.78)). Conclusions: Unemployment, being single, and social isolation were strongly related with psychosis, while living alone was not. Moreover, there was a suggestion of a relation between cumulative social disadvantage and odds for psychosis.
Topic Area: First Episode Psychosis