Maria Mattsson

One-year outcome in first episode psychosis patients in the Swedish Parachute project.

Objective:  Implementing a system designed to treat first episode psychotic (FEP) patients.

Treatment costs and clinical outcome for first episode schizophrenia patients: a 3-year follow-up of the Swedish ‘Parachute Project’ and Two Comparison Groups

Objective:  To evaluate ‘need‐specific treatment’ of first episode schizophrenia syndrome patients.

The Stockholm Follow-up Study of Users Diagnosed with Psychosis (SUPP) : methodology, patient cohort and services

Background the de-, re- and trans-institutionalization of psychiatric care has resulted in a number of changes in the interventions available to persons with severe mental disorders. Aims This article describes the design of a naturalistic follow-up study of persons with a psychosis diagnosis, the characteristics of the study population, and the interventions they received prior to study participation from various agencies in and outside of mental healthcare. Method: data from various registers, such as psychiatric and social services case registers, criminal records, and the cause of death register have been collected and analyzed. Results Under the period 1997–2004, 42% were in contact only with out-patient care, 58% were in contact with the social services, and 2% had served prison sentences. Conclusions Studies need to include interventions that are provided beyond the scope of psychiatric services in order to assess the extent of the existing support network and the long-term outcomes for persons with a psychosis diagnosis. The lack of a gender perspective in psychiatric research also needs to be addressed.

Gender differences in the prediction of 5-year outcome in first episode psychosis

Objective: To examine gender differences in prediction of long‐term outcome in first episode psychosis (FEP).

Psychometric evaluation of the Danish and Swedish Satisfaction with Life Scale in first episode psychosis patients

PurposeTo psychometrically evaluate the Satisfaction with Life Scale in two cohorts of first-episode psychosis patients in the Danish National Schizophrenia Project and in the Swedish Parachute Project.MethodFour properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale were examined in the Danish cohort (explorative investigation) and then confirmed in the Swedish cohort: (1) the factor structure; (2) correlations between subscales; (3) internal consistencies of subscales; and (4) main tendencies (arithmetic means) and variations (standard deviations) of subscales. The relations between the Satisfaction with Life Scale and various life conditions were investigated in the Swedish cohort.ResultsFor both samples, the analysis indicated that the obtained four-dimensional 11-item scale had satisfactory properties. Moderately high scores were obtained in the four subscales: “living,” “social relationships,” “self and present life” and “work.” They correlated positively with each other, the internal consistencies of the subscales were acceptable and the means for the subscales indicated no apparent floor or ceiling effects. The four dimensions obtained seem relevant and presented good face validity. The dimensions were confirmed in the Swedish sample.ConclusionThe Satisfaction with Life Scale shows satisfactory psychometric properties and seems valid and useful among first-episode psychosis patients.

P03-162 Association between financial strain, social network and five-year recovery from first episode psychosis

Despite much effort to positively affect long-term outcome in psychosis and schizophrenia many patients are still facing a poor outcome with persistent psychotic symptoms and decline in social functioning. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between financial strain and social network and five-year outcome of first episode psychosis (FEP). FEP patients were divided into recovered (n = 52) and non-recovered (n = 19). Each personwas matched according to age and gender with fourpersons (n = 284) from a longitudinal populationbasedstudy. All persons had answered an extensivequestionnaire including social network, quantitative and qualitative, financial strain and mental health. Linear regression analysis showed that both financial strain and social network were associated, and had a unique contribution, to outcome. The results indicate that FEP patients might benefit from interventions that reduce financial strain thus facilitating daily life and cultural and social activities.