Experienced stigma in first-episode psychosis: a 1-year follow-up study
Poster A71, Monday, October%208, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Carmen Simonsen1,2, Ann Faerden1, Kristin Lie Romm1,2, Elizabeth Ann Barrett1,2, Torill Ueland1, Ole Andreassen1, Ingrid Melle1; 1NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway, 2Early Intervention in Psychosis Advisory Unit for South-East Norway, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
Due to limited knowledge, experienced stigma and its relationship with symptoms, functioning, disability and life-satisfaction, was investigated across the first year of treatment in a large first-episode psychosis (FEP) sample. FEP participants (n=115) in the TOP longitudinal study were assessed at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Experienced stigma was investigated with two items from the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHO-DAS 2.0), assessing degree of problems 1. because of barriers or hindrances in the surrounding world, and 2. with living in dignity because of attitudes and actions of others. Clinical symptoms were measured with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Global functioning was measured with the clinician-rated Global Assessment of Functioning Scale-Split version (GAF-F). Subjective experience of disability was measured with the WHO-DAS 2.0. Life-satisfaction was measured with the generic “Satisfaction with life in general” item in the Lehman’s Quality of Life Interview, brief version. At baseline 46% of the participants experienced stigma, significantly decreasing to 32% at 1-year follow-up, with 52% experiencing stigma at one or both time-points. At 1-year follow-up the group with experienced stigma had significantly higher level of positive and depressive symptoms and subjective disability, as well as lower level of global functioning and life-satisfaction. Experienced stigma is common in FEP across the first year of treatment. It relates to clinical symptoms, functioning, disability and life-satisfaction, suggesting that experienced stigma is an important target in the early stages of treatment.
Topic Area: First Episode Psychosis