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Group programmes for recovery from early psychosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2018

Dianne J. Albiston ,
Shona M. Francey  and
Susan M. Harrigan
Dianne J. Albiston*
Affiliation:
Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Victoria, Australia
Shona M. Francey
Affiliation:
Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Victoria, Australia
Susan M. Harrigan
Affiliation:
Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Victoria, Australia
*
Correspondence: Dianne J. Albiston, Coordinator Group Programme, Centre for Young People's Mental Health, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, Victoria, Australia 3052
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Abstract

Background We evaluate the impact of a group-based, transitional, psychosocial programme, within a comprehensive service (the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, EPPIC), on recovery from first-episode psychosis.

Method Individuals using the service (and meeting study criteria) were assessed on a range of symptom and functioning instruments at entry, after 6 weeks and 6 months. Participants received comprehensive case management and services according to their identified needs. Thirty-four people who had attended the group programme were compared at 6 month follow-up with 61 EPPIC patients who had not attended.

Results The people attending the group programme had a lower level of premorbid adjustment than the comparison group, and a trend towards exhibiting a higher level of negative symptoms, prior to commencing the group programme. However, at 6 month follow-up, no significant differences were found between the groups.

Conclusions Involvement in the group programme may have had a positive impact on a subgroup of EPPIC subjects with poor level of premorbid adjustment, by providing a ‘holding pattern’ in the critical period following the emergence of first-onset psychosis, and thus prevented deterioration and the development of disability.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue S33: Verging on reality , June 1998 , pp. 117 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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