Gender differences in symptoms, functioning and social support in patients at ultra-high risk for developing a psychotic disorder

SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH

卷:104

Article

White, Rachael K.¹  Niendam, Tara A.¹  Bearden, Carrie E.^1,2  Zinberg, Jamie¹  O'Brien, Mary P.²  Cannon, Tyrone D.^1,2 

[1] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Psychol, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA

[2] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Psychiat & Biobehav Sci, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA

关键词: prodrome;    gender;    negative symptoms;    social support;    functional outcome;    psychosis;    schizophrenia;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.schres.2008.05.019

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Gender differences have been widely observed in the clinical presentation, psychosocial functioning and course of illness in first-episode and chronic patients suffering front schizophrenia. However, little is known about gender differences in the psychosis prodrome. This study investigated gender differences in symptoms, functioning and social support in individuals at Ultra-high-risk for developing a psychotic disorder. Sixty-eight ultra-high-risk patients were assessed at baseline, and twenty-seven returned for follow-up assessments approximately 6 and 12 months later. Clinical symptoms and functioning were assessed by clinical interview: social support was measured using it self-report questionnaire. There were no gender differences in demographic variables, symptoms or functioning at baseline. Males were found to have significantly higher levels of negative symptoms and marginally lower levels of functioning when baseline and follow-up little points were considered collectively. Additionally, females reported higher levels of social support at baseline. Differences in negative symptoms were found to mediate differences in functioning between male and female patients. This study suggests that gender based differences in symptom presentation and functional outcome may predate conversion to psychosis. Follow-up studies should examine the relationship between symptoms, functioning and social support in this population. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free