Clinical and demographic correlates of stigma in first‐episode psychosis: the impact of duration of untreated psychosis

Objective To evaluate the relationships between perceived stigma and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), demographic characteristics, and clinical and psychosocial functioning in persons with a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Method A total of 399 participants with FEP presenting for treatment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 141; no. 2; pp. 157 - 166
Main Authors:	Mueser, K. T., DeTore, N. R., Kredlow, M. A., Bourgeois, M. L., Penn, D. L., Hintz, K.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-02-2020
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Depression - psychology Diagnosis duration of untreated psychosis Female first‐episode psychosis Humans Male Mental depression Mental Health Recovery Psychosis Psychosocial Functioning Psychotic Disorders - psychology Psychotic Disorders - therapy schizophrenia Schizophrenia - therapy Schizophrenic Psychology Severity of Illness Index Social interactions Social Stigma Stigma Time-to-Treatment United States Young Adult United States duration of untreated psychosis schizophrenia Stigma first-episode psychosis
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Summary:	Objective To evaluate the relationships between perceived stigma and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), demographic characteristics, and clinical and psychosocial functioning in persons with a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Method A total of 399 participants with FEP presenting for treatment at 34 sites in 21 states throughout the United States were evaluated using standardized instruments to assess diagnosis, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, perceived stigma, wellbeing, and subjective recovery. Results Perceived stigma was correlated with a range of demographic and clinical variables, including DUP, symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and subjective experience. After controlling for symptom severity, perceived stigma was related to longer DUP, schizoaffective disorder diagnosis, more severe depression, and lower wellbeing and recovery. The associations between stigma and depression, wellbeing, and recovery were stronger in individuals with long than short DUP, suggesting the effects of stigma on psychological functioning may be cumulative over the period of untreated psychosis. Conclusion The findings suggest that independent of symptom severity, perceived stigma may contribute to delay in seeking treatment for FEP, and this delay may amplify the deleterious effects of stigma on psychological functioning. The results point to the importance of reducing DUP and validating interventions targeting the psychological effects of stigma in people with FEP.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0001-690X 1600-0447
DOI:	10.1111/acps.13102