In:
Early Intervention in Psychiatry, Wiley, Vol. 12, No. 3 ( 2018-06), p. 391-399
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to present sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of Polish individuals with an at‐risk mental state (ARMS). Methods A group of 99 individuals meeting the ARMS criteria were assessed in terms of sociodemographic data, psychopathological symptoms, psychosocial functioning and comorbidity. Results The sample (mean age 19 years) was 54.55% women. At baseline, nearly 73% of the sample was educated, and 20.20% were employed. Approximately 87.88% of the participants lived with their families. Nearly 77% of the sample presented attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS), 17.17% demonstrated APS with accompanying vulnerability traits and 19.19% showed vulnerability features only. The mean Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale score was 49.55 (±7.70). No effect of age, gender or level of functioning on psychopathological symptoms was observed. The most common comorbid diagnoses were depressive (44.44%) and anxiety disorders (19.19%), which coexisted in 5.05% of the individuals. Approximately 28.28% of the diagnoses met the criteria for personality disorders. The dropout rate from the study was 19.09%, with stigma as the most common reason. Conclusions Polish ARMS individuals are help‐seeking young people most commonly presenting APS or vulnerability features. Despite a high level of psychosocial dysfunction, these individuals remain educationally active. Most individuals showed comorbid diagnoses (commonly depressive or anxiety disorders). Despite some differences resulting from the socioeconomic situation of the country or the specificity of the mental health services, the characteristics of the sample remain consistent with descriptions of ARMS populations worldwide. This study reaffirms the need for organizing early intervention services in non‐stigmatizing settings.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1751-7885
,
1751-7893
DOI:
10.1111/eip.2018.12.issue-3
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2272425-4
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