Promoting early detection of psychosis: the role of community outreach

Ethnoracial Differences in Family Members' Early Contact with Formal and Informal Resources on the Pathway to Care during the Early Stages of Psychosis

The present study examined whether there were ethnoracial differences in the use of formal and informal resources by family members of individuals in the early stages of psychosis. A sample of 154 family member respondents participated in an online cross-sectional survey. Ethnoracially minoritized family members disproportionately made early contact with informal resources (e.g., religious/spiritual leaders, friends, online support groups) on the pathway to care compared to non-Hispanic white family members who tended to contact formal resources (primary care doctors/nurses or school counselors). A description of early contact among Black and Hispanic family members are also described. Study findings highlight that ethnoracially minoritized families seek out support and/or resources from informal resources embedded within their community. Our findings suggest the need for targeted strategies that leverage the reach of informal settings to capture family members as well as general community members.

Sensory characteristics of youth at clinical high risk for psychosis

AIM

To identify and compare the sensory characteristics of young people at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis to those of peers at clinical low risk (CLR), and to national normative data. CHR and CLR participants were recruited from 6 US regions.

METHOD

A descriptive cohort design was used to analyse baseline data collected as part of the Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP). Raw scores on the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) were analysed for 205 young people with CHR and 87 with CLR in 2 age groups: 12 to 17 years (N = 203) and 18 to 25 years (N = 89). ANOVA procedures were used to determine whether differences in AASP scores existed across CLR, CHR, and normative groups by age group.

RESULTS

CHR participants differed significantly from the normative group for all 4 AASP quadrant scores (Low Registration, Sensory Seeking, Sensory Sensitivity and Sensory Avoiding) in both age groups. CLR participants were similar to norms, except for Sensory Seeking scores that were significantly lower than norms in both age ranges.

CONCLUSION

Young people with CHR demonstrate active avoidance, heightened sensitivity, reduced seeking, and reduced registration of sensations in everyday life compared to typical peers. This pattern of differences may be a valuable marker for identifying individuals who are at high risk for developing a psychotic illness, and may also inform interventions designed to prevent or minimize the illness process and accompanying dysfunction.