Ho RWH, et al. – The researchers performed this work to prospectively study baseline predictors of self-stigma in early psychosis patients in the context of a 3-year follow-up of a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) comparing 1-year extension of early intervention (EI) with step-down psychiatric care for first-episode psychosis (FEP). The consequences of more than 33% of early psychosis patients experienced significant self-stigma underscore the clinical needs for early identification and intervention of self-stigmatization in the initial years of psychotic illness.

Methods

• For this investigation, 160 Chinese patients were enrolled from a specialized EI program for FEP in Hong Kong after they had completed this 2-year EI service, and underwent a 12-month RCT.
• Members were followed up and reassessed three years after inclusion to the trial.
• After that, comprehensive evaluation encompassing clinical, functional, subjective quality of life and treatment-related variables were conducted.
• Data analysis was based on one hundred thirty-six members who completed self-stigma assessment at 3-year follow-up.

Results

• The results of this study showed that 50 patients (36.8%) had moderate to high levels of self-stigma at 3-year follow-up.
• Multivariate regression analysis showed that female gender, prior psychiatric hospitalization, longer duration of untreated psychosis and greater positive symptom severity at study intake independently anticipated self-stigma at the end of 3-year study period.