The role of self-esteem for outcome in first-episode psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Self-esteem may be associated with a wide range of psychiatric disorders, including psychotic disorders. However, the relationship between self-esteem and outcome in psychosis has not been adequately examined, especially early in the course of the illness.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to examine the impact of self-esteem in individuals who presented for treatment of a first episode of psychosis on outcome early in the course of the illness.


METHODS
The Self-Esteem Rating Scale (SERS) was administered to 121 individuals with first-episode psychosis following entry into a specialized programme. Symptoms and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) were assessed at six months after beginning treatment. A correlational analysis was followed by a linear regression controlling for potential confounds.


RESULTS
Self-esteem assessed early in the course of treatment was positively correlated with GAF at six months (r = 0.281, p < 0.01). A linear regression analysis conducted with GAF and depression at baseline in addition to gender, pre-morbid adjustment, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), and self-esteem as predictors and GAF at six months as the outcome variable revealed only self-esteem to be a significant predictor of GAF at six months (β = 0.290, p < 0.01). However, no association was found between self-esteem and remission at six months (β = 0.003, p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Self-esteem is associated with global functional outcome at six months but not with remission of symptoms. Efforts should be made to provide interventions that may improve low self-esteem in the attempt to influence functional outcome.
Vracotas
Nadia
N
McGill University, PEPP Montréal, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montréal, Canada.
Iyer
Srividya N
SN
Joober
Ridha
R
Malla
Ashok
A
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011792:Quebec; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult