Social Functioning as a transdiagnostic marker in youth with emerging psychopathology: comparing traditional to daily life measurements
Poster B64, Tuesday, October%209, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Sophie Leijdesdorff1, Jindra Bakker1, prof. Therese van Amelsvoort1; 1Maastricht University
Introduction: As early detection and intervention in mental health gain popularity, the healthcare sector is searching for ways to detect youth at risk for mental disorders early. Recently more attention has been drawn to social functioning (SF): research pointed towards SF as an early sign of emerging psychosis, depression and anxiety. These symptoms often co-occur in youth, sometimes at a subthreshold level. Therefore, while broadening the scope, SF might be a useful transdiagnostic marker for early detection and intervention. Although innovative possibilities for measuring SF in daily life became available using daily diary techniques such as the Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM), these techniques have not yet been thoroughly compared to traditional retrospective measurements in relation to transdiagnostic/subclinical symptoms in youth. Aim: Therefore, our aim is to investigate the value of traditional versus real life SF as a predictor in youth with emerging psychopathology. Method: Data were collected as part of the Smartscan study; a large randomized controlled trial (N=190) investigating the effects of psychological therapy on psychopathology. Participants were 16-25 years of age and presented with early stage psychiatric symptomatology or without complaints (healthy controls). Anxiety, depressive and psychotic symptoms were measured at baseline and at six weeks follow-up. SF was measured both in retrospect, using the Social Functioning Scale, as well as in daily life, using ESM where participants received 10 beeps a day, for 7-15 days in a row, inviting them to fill out a short questionnaire. Results: First results and conclusions will be presented at the conference.
Topic Area: Transdiagnostic Approaches