Early Intervention in Psychiatry

Early Intervention Programme for Young Adults in Northern Italy: A 10-Year Analysis of Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics
Pellegrino R, Bonetto C, Isaia P and Barcella M
Early intervention represents an opportunity to contain psychological distress and intervene promptly on conditions that, otherwise, could assume a chronic course. Based on these observations, an early intervention programme for people 18-25 years old, the 'Progetto Giovani' (Youth Project), was implemented in two adult mental health services (AMHSs) in the northwest of Italy.
A Structural Equation Modelling Exploration of the Role of Schizotypal Traits, Cognitive Schemas and Dysfunctional Attitudes in Social Isolation
Aidelbaum R, Jagtap S, Rumas R, Shamblaw AL and Best MW
Evidence highlights the importance of social isolation as a critical yet underserved treatment target for individuals managing psychosis. Schizotypal traits represent a useful model of psychosis, facilitating the assessment of contributors to social isolation without the confounds associated with schizophrenia. This study utilised structural equation modelling to examine the unique predictive capacity of schizotypal traits for subjective and objective indices of social isolation. In addition, the potentially mediating role of negative core schemas and dysfunctional attitudes was assessed.
Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire
Ye N, Peng L, Deng B, Hu H, Wang Y, Zheng T, Ai Y, Liu X, Zhou S and Li Y
Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) as a cognitive process in multiple mental disorders is a key risk factor for mental disorders. It is associated with the development and maintenance of the illness. The perseverative thinking questionnaire (PTQ) is an instrument to evaluate RNT with excellent reliability and validity. Nevertheless, a Chinese version of the perseverative thinking questionnaire (C-PTQ) is lack of validation in Chinese college students. The study aimed to establish a C-PTQ, explore its psychometric properties in college students.
Internal Validation of the Latvian Version of 16-Item Prodromal Questionnaire in A Help-Seeking Adolescent Population: Psychometric Analysis and Associated Factors
Germanenko I, Vrublevska J, Bezborodovs N and Rancans E
The prodromal phase of a psychotic disorder is a period of altered functioning before the onset of the acute state; several interviews have been developed to determine whether individuals present with prodromal symptoms. The 16-item Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16) is a screening tool for evaluating those at risk of developing a psychotic disorder. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Latvian version of the PQ-16 in a sample of help-seeking adolescents referred for diagnostic assessment and look for possible associated socio-demographic and health-related factors.
An Exploration of the Co-Occurrence of Hallucinations and Suicidal Mental Imagery Among Psychiatrically Hospitalised Adolescents at High Risk for Suicide
Thompson EC, Visser K, Nail M, Lawrence HR, Hunt J and Wolff JC
Adolescents with psychosis-spectrum symptoms are at particularly high risk for suicide, however, little is known about how suicidal cognitions manifest in this population. Suicidal cognitions can occur as verbal thoughts and/or mental images of suicide, and mental images may be indicative of a higher risk for suicidal behaviours. Suicidal mental imagery could be a salient and important suicide-related risk factor for adolescents with hallucinations in particular, however, the co-occurrence of these phenomena has yet to be studied. In a sample of psychiatrically hospitalised adolescents, we hypothesize that hallucinations will be associated with increased suicidal mental imagery and suicide attempts.
Early Detection of Psychosis in Eating Disorders: Unnecessary or a Useful Addition?
de Bont PAJM, Seelen-de Lang B, Maas J and Bodde NMG
The absence of consensus regarding the presence and interpretation of certain symptoms as indicative of either a psychosis spectrum disorder or an eating disorder (ED) can hinder cooperation amongst treatment programmes for the early detection of psychosis and an ED. This study trans-diagnostically assessed the prevalence and co-occurrence of at-risk mental states for a psychosis (ARMS) or the risk of having an ED (EDr), and it explored the characteristics of ARMS profiles of individuals with an EDr.
Evolution of Linguistic Markers of Agency, Centrality and Content During Metacognitive Therapy for Psychosis: A Pilot Exploratory Study
Nikzad AH, Lysaker PH, Minor KS, Leonhardt B, Liberman MY, Vohs J, Wiesepape CN and Tang SX
Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) is a form of person-centred psychotherapy that promotes recovery-oriented outcomes by targeting metacognitive capacity. Previous research has shown the feasibility and clinical benefits of MERIT. However, it is not clear whether and how the specific processes targeted by MERIT (e.g., improved sense of agency, self-reflectivity, awareness of others, etc.) are manifested in the patient-therapist communications. In this study, we used natural language processing (NLP) to explore objective linguistic markers of change during MERIT for early psychosis.
Expanding Perspectives on Treatment Outcomes in Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis: The Role of Comorbidities and Individual Differences
Wei LC and Li KP
Intergenerational Injustice and Youth Mental Health: A Call to Action
Jordan G, Akhtar F, Ahsan N, Egharevba E, Kimber R, Saffy N and Horvath E
Reply to Wei and Li: Commentary on Expanding Perspectives on Treatment Outcomes in Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis
Moe AM, Wastler HM and Breitborde NJK
Characteristics of Individuals Losing Autism Diagnosis: A Comparative Study With Typically Developing and Autism Spectrum Disorder Individuals
Sevin IB, Dogan N and Ozbaran NB
This study aims to reveal the characteristics of individuals who have lost an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and to evaluate their current psychiatric diagnoses. Additionally, the study aims to compare individuals who have lost ASD with typically developing (TD) individuals and those with ASD in terms of current psychopathology, functionality and sociodemographic and clinical variables.
Participation Preferences in Cognitive Treatments Among Youth With Mental Illness: Findings From the Your Mind, Your Choice Survey
Bryce S, Cheng N, Stainton A, Zbukvic I, Dalton A, Ojinnaka A, Ratheesh A, O'Halloran C, Uren J, Gates J, Daglas-Georgiou R, Wood S and Allott K
To explore the cognitive treatment preferences of young people with mental illness.
Student Suicide in India: An Analysis of Newspaper Articles (2019-2023)
Maji S, Jordan G, Bansod S, Upadhyay A, Deevela D and Biswas S
Student suicide is one significant public health concern across the world, including India. In recent years, the surge in suicide cases has further worried mental health professionals and policymakers. The current study analysed the reported student suicide cases published in four leading Indian newspapers.
Do Non-Clinical Services Help to Improve Functional Outcomes Among Young Adults With Mental Disorders? A Systematic Review
Gossip K, John J, Comben C, Erskine HE, Scott JG and Diminic S
Mental disorders during young adulthood can significantly impair functioning in daily activities. Non-clinical support services aim to improve functioning by helping people to build social and life skills, participate in education and employment and improve physical health. This study aims to examine and synthesise the evidence for non-clinical services on improving functional outcomes for young adults with mental disorders.
Cloud-Enabled Mobile-Based Approach for Enhancing Psychosis Cognitive Assessment
Walia S, Kumar N, Khosla PK and Grover S
The study aims to assess the feasibility of developing cognitive tools and integrating the cloud-enabled mobile-based technology into routine clinical practice for psychotic patients. Furthermore, it aims to investigate the correlation between the results obtained using developed tools and established clinical measures, offering valuable insights into tools for enhancing the accuracy, efficiency and ease of administration of cognitive evaluation.
Tunisian Adolescents at CHR for Psychosis: A Pilot Study of Cognitive Remediation in a LMIC
Abbes Z, Taleb S, Yahia HB, Hmidi H, Hajri M, Jelili S, Halayem S, Mrabet A, Ventura J and Bouden A
Clinical high risk (CHR) youth are known to exhibit cognitive deficits at similar levels to their more severally ill counter parts. Cognitive training (CT) programs offer a promising method for early intervention and the prevention of further cognitive decline in this vulnerable population. However, there are few structured CT intervention programs addressing the needs of CHR youth in LMICs of the Middle East.
Feasibility and Acceptability of Providing Cognitive Remediation in a Large USA System of Coordinated Specialty Care for Early Psychosis
Medalia A, Saperstein AM, Wall MM, Basaraba CN, Bello I, Nossel I and Dixon LB
Multinational treatment guidelines support providing cognitive remediation to people recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, but the feasibility of implementing the treatment on a large scale is less well understood.
The Development and Piloting of an Early Youth-Engagement (EYE) Model to Improve Engagement of Young People in First Episode Psychosis Services: A Mixed Methods Study
Greenwood K, Chandler R, Labuschagne K, Peters E, Alford K, de Visser R, Field A, Slater L and Garety P
Psychosis is associated with significant health and societal costs. Early intervention in psychosis services (EIP) are highly effective in promoting recovery, yet substantial proportions of young people disengage. The current study aimed to develop and evaluate a novel engagement intervention in EIP services.
Peripersonal Space Plasticity in Relation to Psychopathology and Anomalous Subjective Experiences in Individuals With Early-Onset and Adult-Onset Schizophrenia
Lucarini V, Magnani F, Ferroni F, Ardizzi M, Giustozzi F, Volpe R, Fascendini N, Amorosi S, Rasmi F, Marchesi C, Gallese V and Tonna M
Individuals with schizophrenia present anomalies in the extension and plasticity of the peripersonal space (PPS), the section of space surrounding the body, shaped through motor experiences. A weak multisensory integration in PPS would contribute to an impairment of self-embodiment processing, a core feature of the disorder linked to specific subjective experiences. In this exploratory study, we aimed at: (1) testing an association between PPS features, psychopathology, and subjective experiences in schizophrenia; (2) describing the PPS profile in individuals with early-onset schizophrenia.
An Item Response Theory Analysis of the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire in Ethiopia
Yared M, Kim HH, Ametaj A, Alemayehu M, Stevenson A, Milkias B, Girma E, Gelaye B and Teferra S
Few psychosis screening instruments have been tested for use in Africa, yet appropriate tools can increase the detection of self-reported psychotic symptoms, improve the detection of psychosis and impact its prognosis.
From Adolescence to Adulthood: Understanding Care Trajectories in an Early Detection and Intervention Centre in France
Marchini S, Laroche MA, Nemorin H, Morin V, Tanguy G, Lucarini V, Iftimovici A, Chaumette B, Krebs MO and Charre M
Psychiatric disorders often emerge during adolescence or young adulthood, leading to significant disability among youth. The transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) is critical for individuals experiencing emerging psychopathology, with delayed access to care negatively impacting long-term outcomes. Accessing mental health services for adolescents and young adults is often complex and delayed due to challenges in service visibility, accessibility and appropriateness.
Discriminant diagnostic validity of paediatric bipolar disorder screening tests: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Alcaíno C, Raouna A, Tunç H, MacBeth A, Bird T and Youngstrom E
Bipolar disorders (BD) are among the most significantly impairing of childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Although BD symptoms may begin in adolescence, they are frequently not diagnosed until adulthood, and accordingly BD scales could aid diagnostic assessment in paediatric populations. This review aims to synthesis the evidence for the accuracy of BD symptom index tests for discriminating BD from non-BD (other diagnoses or healthy controls) in paediatric population. Additionally, several theoretically relevant moderators of diagnostic accuracy were evaluated.
Do help-seeking adolescents report more psychotic-like experiences than young adults on the 16-item version of the prodromal questionnaire (PQ-16)?
de Jong Y, Boon AE, Mulder CL and van der Gaag M
To compare psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in adolescents and young adults referred to the Mental Health Services (MHSs).
Changes in Rates of Special Considerations in Higher Education Applications Pre- and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Victoria, Australia
Gao CX, Clarke E, Nicholas J, Teo SM, Koppe C, Peter G, Lum A, Barth T, Farish S, Rudd M, Gong Y, Gan DZQ, Browne V, Tjia T, Filia KM and Killackey E
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant rise in mental ill health has been observed globally in young people, particularly those in their final years of secondary school. Students' negative experiences coincide with a critical transitional period which can disrupt milestones in social and educational development. This study aimed to use innovative population-level data to map the impact of the pandemic on students entering higher education.
Lessons Learnt From Running a Transition-Age Youth Mental Health Outpatient Clinic in Italy: The PRecocity of Intervention in Adolescent Medicine (PRIMA) Experience
Colizzi M, Basaldella M, Candolo A, Garzitto M, Palermo A, Scipioni C, Tavian G, Balestrieri M, Bortoletto R and Comacchio C
This study assessed whether transition age between adolescence and young adulthood poses a challenge for both patients and mental health services.
Theory of Mind Abilities May Predict Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Follow-Up Study
Kara T, Aydoğan Avşar P, Kuru T and Kocaman O
Researchers report varying levels of cognitive flexibility and theory of mind (ToM) deficiencies in adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This research set out to investigate the impact of these variables on the disorder's outcomes.
Effects of Physical Activity on Disordered Eating Behaviours in Individuals With a Psychotic Disorder
Carrier K, Abdel-Baki A, Thériault L, Karelis AD, Lecomte T and Romain AJ
This study aims to determine the effect of physical activity on cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in individuals with a psychotic disorder.
Response to 'Letter to the Editor: Weight gain and metabolic screening in young people with early psychosis on long acting injectable antipsychotic medication'
Waters F, Shymko G, Grace T, Hacking D, Jolly N, Parmar A, Dobson L and Kapi P
Recorded Rates of Trauma-Exposure in a Retrospective Epidemiologically Complete First-Episode Psychosis Cohort
Redmond A, Gaynor K, Naughton S and Clarke M
Trauma plays an important role in the development and maintenance of psychosis. However, it is still under-examined in daily clinical practice. The current study investigated the rates of recording of trauma-exposure in the clinical histories of a first-episode psychosis (FEP) cohort attending an early intervention psychosis service.
A pilot study investigating the effect of the BEGIN psychoeducation intervention for people at clinical high risk for psychosis on emotional and stigma-related experiences
Mikelic M, Jusdanis A, Bergson Z, DeLuca JS, Sarac C, Dobbs MF, Shuster S, Vaidya S, Wyka K, Yang LH, Landa Y, Corcoran CM and Herrera SN
There is concern that the provision of the clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) label is stigmatizing. Prior research suggests people have nuanced reactions to feedback involving the CHR label, including a positive experience receiving feedback and improvement in negative emotions (e.g., shame), while also exhibiting concerns about self-perception and perceptions from others related to the label. The current pilot study aimed to evaluate whether individuals at CHR showed changes in emotional and stigma-related experiences following a CHR psychoeducation intervention, BEGIN: Brief Educational Guide for Individuals in Need.