title: Severe social anxiety in early psychosis is associated with poor premorbid functioning, depression, and reduced quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of the present study was to examine whether patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) with severe social anxiety show poorer premorbid and current functioning, higher level of current clinical symptoms, and better "insight into illness." Furthermore, we wanted to explore whether social anxiety is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL).
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 144 individuals with an FEP was divided into 3 groups depending on current level of social anxiety symptoms measured by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Analysis of variance was performed including measures of demographic and clinical characteristics. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed to explore possible predictors of QoL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most severe social anxiety group revealed poorer premorbid adjustment, lower social functioning, and higher levels of depression. Furthermore, this group revealed a higher awareness of illness and experienced reduced QoL. Overall, social anxiety was associated with reduced QoL even after adjusting for psychotic symptoms and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Severe social anxiety in FEP is associated with poor premorbid functioning and distinct clinical characteristics, besides being a possible predictor of QoL.
authors.affiliation: Psychosis Research Unit, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. k.l.romm@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Kristin Lie
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Romm
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melle
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thoresen
authors.forename: Ole A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.forename: Jan Ivar
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Rossberg
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept