Schizophrenia Research
Volume 76, Issue 2 , Pages 287-292, 15 July 2005

The association between social anxiety and social functioning in first episode psychosis

  • Marcia Voges

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada
    • ,
  • Jean Addington

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1R8
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 416 535 8501x4360; fax: +1 416 979 6936.

Received 27 July 2004; received in revised form 20 December 2004; accepted 4 January 2005.

Abstract 

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between social anxiety and social functioning in first episode psychosis, and to determine whether those with psychosis have any maladaptive or irrational beliefs regarding social situations. A sample of 60 first episode patients (41 males, 19 females) participated in the study. The presence of social phobia was determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I). Measures included The Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI), the Social Functioning Scale (SFS), the Quality of Life Scale (QLS) and the Social Interaction Self-Statement Test. Thirty-two percent of the sample met SCID-I criteria for social phobia and approximately 60% of participants were experiencing elevated levels of social anxiety according to the SPAI (M=69.57, S.D.=27.42). Results were that negative symptoms and negative self-statements, but not social anxiety, were significant predictors of social functioning. This has implications for addressing these negative cognitions in early psychosis.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Social anxiety, First-episode, Symptoms, Social functioning

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PII: S0920-9964(05)00007-1

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2005.01.001

Schizophrenia Research
Volume 76, Issue 2 , Pages 287-292, 15 July 2005

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