The impact of persistent social anxiety on social functioning and health-related quality of life in young people with remitted first-episode psychosis

Abstract

Objective: Comorbid social anxiety is common in psychotic disorders and is associated with multiple negative consequences. However, the long-term effects of persistent social anxiety versus fluctuating or no anxiety on social functioning and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) have received scant attention. Therefore, we aimed to examine the prevalence of persistent social anxiety to determine its effect on social functioning and HR-QoL in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Methods: One hundred and eight individuals with remitted FEP were classified into three groups (persistent, fluctuating or no social anxiety) according to the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale over an 18-month follow-up pe..