title: Differences in coping, self-efficacy, and external control beliefs between patients at-risk for psychosis and patients with first-episode psychosis.
abstract: Patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) often show dysfunctional coping patterns, low self-efficacy, and external control beliefs that are considered to be risk factors for the development of psychosis. Therefore, these factors should already be present in patients at-risk for psychosis (AR). We compared frequencies of deficits in coping strategies (Stress-Coping-Questionnaires, SVF-120/SVF-KJ), self-efficacy, and control beliefs (Competence and Control Beliefs Questionnaire, FKK) between AR (n=21) and FEP (n=22) patients using a cross-sectional design. Correlations among coping, self-efficacy, and control beliefs were assessed in both groups. The majority of AR and FEP patients demonstrated deficits in coping skills, self-efficacy, and control beliefs. However, AR patients more frequently reported a lack of positive coping strategies, low self-efficacy, and a fatalistic externalizing bias. In contrast, FEP patients were characterized by being overly self-confident. These findings suggest that dysfunctional coping, self-efficacy, and control beliefs are already evident in AR patients, though different from those in FEP patients. The pattern of deficits in AR patients closely resembles that of depressive patients, which may reflect high levels of depressiveness in AR patients. Apart from being worthwhile treatment targets, these coping and belief patterns are promising candidates for predicting outcome in AR patients, including the conversion to psychosis.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstr. 111, 3000 Bern 60, Switzerland. Electronic address: stefanie.schmidt@kjp.unibe.ch.
authors.forename: Stefanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstr. 111, 3000 Bern 60, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vera-Maria
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Grunert
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstr. 111, 3000 Bern 60, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Benno G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Schimmelmann
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstr. 111, 3000 Bern 60, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schultze-Lutter
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstr. 111, 3000 Bern 60, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attribution; Locus of control; Prodrome; Psychosis; Self-confidence; Self-esteem; Stress