Social cognition training as an intervention for improving functional outcome in first-episode psychosis: a feasibility study

Cali F Bartholomeusz; Kelly Allott; Eoin Killackey; Ping Liu; Stephen J Wood; Andrew Thompson

Journal article

Social cognition training as an intervention for improving functional outcome in first-episode psychosis: a feasibility study

Cali F Bartholomeusz, Kelly Allott, Eoin Killackey, Ping Liu, Stephen J Wood, Andrew Thompson

EARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY | WILEY | Published : 2013

DOI: 10.1111/eip.12036

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Social cognitive deficits have a detrimental effect on social and role functioning at both early and late stages of psychotic illness. AIM: To assess the feasibility of social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) in first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHODS: A total of 12 FEP participants were sequentially allocated to one of two SCIT groups, each of which met once per week for 10 consecutive weeks. Social cognition and functioning was assessed at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: SCIT was well-tolerated and retention was good. FEP participants improved significantly on measures of emotion recognition and social and occupational functioning. CONCLUSIONS: This study exten..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Kelly Allott Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

Eoin Killackey Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

Stephen Wood Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

Cali Bartholomeusz Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

Andrew Thompson Author Centre for Youth Mental Health

Related Projects (2)

Training for the intellectual difficulties linked to poor community functioning in early psychosis

nan

Linking brain changes in adolescence to impaired ~social thinking~ in early psychosis: Can training improve outcome?

This project aims to investigate the origin of impairments in social thinking of young people with first episode psychosis (FEP), and whethe..

Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council Australian

Funding Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ms Gina Woodhead and Ms Lori Schell for their valuable contribution to running the groups, and Dr David Roberts for providing supervision to the SCIT facilitators. We would also like to thank Dr Roberts and Prof Penn for their advice in the modification of the SCIT. This study was supported by two National Health and Medical Research Council Australian-based Clinical Research Fellowships (567042, CB; 628884, KA); University of Melbourne Early Career Researcher Grant (CB); Royal Melbourne Hospital Home Lottery Grant (AT), NARSAD Young Investigator Grant (SJW) and a Ronald Phillip Griffith Research Fellowship (EK).