Investigating the relationship between specific negative symptoms and metacognitive functioning in psychosis: A systematic review.

Background: Disrupted metacognition is implicated in development and maintenance of negative symptoms, but more fine-grained analyses would inform precise treatment targeting for individual negative symptoms.

Aims: This systematic review identifies and examines datasets that test whether specific metacognitive capacities distinctly influence negative symptoms.

Materials & Methods: PsycINFO, EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane Library databases plus hand searching of relevant articles, journals and grey literature identified quantitative research investigating negative symptoms and metacognition in adults aged 16+ with psychosis.

Multi-family group and single-family intervention in first-episode psychosis: A prospective, quasi-experimental cohort study.

Background: The evidence for manualized psycho-educative family intervention (FI) in first-episode psychosis (FEP) is well-established to reduce relapse and caregiver distress. Less is known, however, about type and duration of FI.

Aim: To compare two different types of manualized family interventions for FEP: Multi-Family Groups (MFG) and Single-Family Intervention (SFI).

Does childhood trauma predict poorer metacognitive abilities in people with first-episode psychosis?

Research suggests that people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) report more childhood traumas and have lower metacognitive abilities than non-clinical controls. Childhood trauma negatively affects metacognitive development in population studies, while the association remains largely unexplored in FEP populations. Metacognition refers to the identification of thoughts and feelings and the formation of complex ideas about oneself and others.

Metacognitive mastery in persons with first-episode psychosis and their caregivers: Implications for timely help-seeking and caregiver experiences. Brief report.

While metacognitive mastery seems to be closely linked to general functioning in persons with psychosis, little is known of metacognitive capacity of family members, who often play an important role in recovery and often report high levels of distress. We gathered assessments of metacognitive mastery from persons with first-episode psychosis and their mothers. We found that relatively higher overall mean mastery levels among the dyads, was related to less negative caregiver experiences, and less caregiver criticism.

Metacognition in first-episode psychosis and its association with positive and negative symptom profiles.

There is growing evidence that metacognitive abilities which include the ability to synthesize knowledge regarding mental states in self and others and use this ability to solve problems are impaired in non-affective psychosis and associated with positive and negative symptom severity. We sought to (a) investigate the severity of metacognitive impairments in first-episode psychosis (FEP) compared to non-clinical controls and (b) explore associations with positive and negative symptom profiles. Ninety-seven people with FEP were compared to 101 control persons.

Childhood adversities: Social support, premorbid functioning and social outcome in first-episode psychosis and a matched case-control group.

Objective: The establishment of childhood adversities as risk factors for non-affective psychosis has derived a need to consider alternative interpretations of several psychosis-related factors. This paper sought to examine premorbid adjustment trajectories and social outcome factors in relation to childhood adversities. Perceived support has been found to decrease the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, and we wished to compare perceived support in people with first-episode psychosis to non-clinical control persons and explore its relation to childhood adversities.

The Experience of Childhood Trauma and Its Influence on the Course of Illness in First-Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Study.

Persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders often report high levels of childhood trauma, which often exacerbates symptoms and impede the process of recovery. However, little is known about how these traumas are experienced by service users and how they are integrated in their life stories. To examine this, we conducted in-depth interviews with 15 service users with a diagnosis of a first-episode nonaffective psychosis who had reported 1 or more childhood traumas in self-report measures.

Childhood adversity specificity and dose-response effect in non-affective first-episode psychosis.

Background: Reviews conclude that childhood and adolescence sexual, physical, emotional abuse and emotional and physical neglect are all risk factors for psychosis. However, studies suggest only some adversities are associated with psychosis. Dose-response effects of several adversities on risk of psychosis have not been consistently found.

Caregiver distress in first-episode psychosis: the role of subjective appraisal, over-involvement and symptomatology.

Background: Caregivers of persons with first-episode psychosis (FEP) often report high levels of distress. Preventing long-term or chronic distress within the whole family is an important focus of early intervention for psychosis. However, a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological factors involved is needed.

The Role of Metacognitions in Expressed Emotion and Distress: A Study on Caregivers of Persons with First-Episode Psychosis.

Background: In first-episode psychosis, the family is considered an important part in the recovery process. This is often accompanied by significant distress, which is acknowledged in numerous studies. However, little is known about the psychological factors involved.