51. The impact of persistent social anxiety on social functioning and health-related quality of life in young people with remitted first-episode psychosis
- Author
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Gonzalez-Blanch, C, Gleeson, JF, McEnery, C, O'Sullivan, S, Ayesa-Arriola, R, D'Alfonso, S, Valentine, L, Tremain, H, Bell, I, Bendall, S, Alvarez-Jimenez, M, Gonzalez-Blanch, C, Gleeson, JF, McEnery, C, O'Sullivan, S, Ayesa-Arriola, R, D'Alfonso, S, Valentine, L, Tremain, H, Bell, I, Bendall, S, and Alvarez-Jimenez, M
- Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Comorbid social anxiety is common in psychotic disorders and is associated with multiple negative consequences. However, the long-term effects of persistent social anxiety versus fluctuating or no anxiety on social functioning and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) have received scant attention. Therefore, we aimed to examine the prevalence of persistent social anxiety to determine its effect on social functioning and HR-QoL in first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHODS: One hundred and eight individuals with remitted FEP were classified into three groups (persistent, fluctuating or no social anxiety) according to the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale over an 18-month follow-up period. The three groups were then compared at 18 months follow-up to assess the influence of social anxiety on social functioning and HR-QoL before and after controlling for confounders. RESULTS: Of the 108 individuals with FEP, 25 (23.1%) had persistent social anxiety. This group presented lower social functioning and HR-QoL levels compared to the groups with fluctuating or no anxiety symptoms. The effect on HR-QoL remained significant after controlling for positive psychotic and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, nearly one-quarter of young people with remitted FEP experienced persistent social anxiety symptoms, which had a negative impact on HR-QoL. Thus, individuals with persistent social anxiety constitute a highly vulnerable group and may require targeted interventions to improve their social functioning and HR-QoL.
- Published
- 2021