Perceived stress, social functioning and quality of life in first‐episode psychosis: A 1‐year follow‐up study

Abstract

Aim Quality of life (QoL) has been widely studied in people with schizophrenia. In the early phases of psychosis, it remains often impaired even after the remission of psychotic symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore QoL and social functioning during the first year after a first‐episode psychosis (FEP), and to study potential moderating effects of stress measures. Methods Here, 61 FEP subjects and 55 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Sociodemographic data and clinical variables were collected through a semi‐structured interview. Stress measures, social functioning and QoL were assessed with the Holmes–Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Social Adaptation Self‐Scale and the Euro‐QoL‐5D, respectively. Analysis of variance was employed with repeated measures and a mediation analysis at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up was carried out. Results Patients reported lower QoL, poorer social functioning and more stress than HC. FEP patients significantly improved in QoL and stress measures over time, but not in social functioning. Perceived stress mediated the association between poorer social functioning and lower QoL. Conclusions Social functioning at baseline may determine QoL over a 1‐year follow‐up period. Despite the improvement in most measures, patients do not achieve the level of well‐being as the healthy group.