title: Anomalous self-experiences contribute independently to social dysfunction in the early phases of schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psychotic disorders are associated with significant social dysfunction. Anomalous self-experiences (ASE) present in psychotic disorders could contribute to social dysfunction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate if ASE contribute to social dysfunction in the early phases of psychotic disorders after controlling for factors related to social functioning including diagnoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  ASE were assessed by means of the EASE (Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience) in 76 patients referred to their first adequate treatment for schizophrenia or psychotic bipolar disorder. Diagnoses, symptom severity, and functioning were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Premorbid Adjustment Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning--Split Version, and Social Functioning Scale. Neurocognitive assessments included measures of psychomotor speed, working memory, executive and memory functions. Duration of untreated psychosis was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High levels of ASE were significantly associated with poorer social functioning in the early phases of schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder also after correcting for diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the significance of ASE for social dysfunction in patients with psychotic disorders, and contributes to the understanding of the complexity of illness-related factors that affect social functioning.
authors.affiliation: Innlandet Hospital Trust, Division of Mental Health, Norway. Electronic address: elisabeth.haug@sykehuset-innlandet.no.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.affiliation: Innlandet Hospital Trust, Division of Mental Health, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Øie
authors.affiliation: KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
authors.forename: Ole A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.affiliation: Innlandet Hospital Trust, Division of Mental Health, Norway.
authors.forename: Unni
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bratlien
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addiction, AUSL di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raballo
authors.affiliation: Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne.
authors.forename: Barnaby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health Research and Development, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Norway.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.affiliation: KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D055815:Young Adult