title: Factors associated with functional psychosocial status in first-episode psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine which of demographic/premorbid, psychiatric or neuropsychological variables are most closely associated with functional status around the time of diagnosis of first-episode psychosis. This was with a view to determining factors that should be the focus of intervention in these early stages of illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Western Sydney First Episode Psychosis Project collected data on young persons (aged 13-25) with newly diagnosed psychosis (n=92). Psychosocial functional status was measured using the Role Functioning Scale (RFS). Multiple regression analyses were carried out to identify predictors of RFS score from a wide range of predictor variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Psychiatric variables accounted for the most variance in RFS score. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Negative subscale and Young Mania Rating Scale score were found to be significant individual predictors, with variables from the other domains failing to contribute to the overall model. In separate models, demographic/premorbid and neuropsychological factors weakly related to functional status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatric factors were the main influence on psychosocial functioning in first-episode psychosis at baseline. Evidence suggests the relationships between symptoms, cognition and demographics with function might change over time, depending on the stage of illness being examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. saraklucas@gmail.com
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: M Antoinette
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Redoblado-Hodge
authors.forename: E Arthur
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Shores
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012917:Social Adjustment; D055815:Young Adult