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Self‐image and outcome in first‐episode psychosis
Author(s) -
Harder Susanne
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-0879
pISSN - 1063-3995
DOI - 10.1002/cpp.498
Subject(s) - psychology , grandiosity , psychosis , acknowledgement , self image , clinical psychology , psychiatry , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , social psychology , computer security , narcissism , computer science
This study examines self‐image in a sample of first‐episode psychosis ( N = 97) at baseline and as predictor for outcome. Self‐image was measured using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior Questionnaire (=SASB‐Intrex) at the perceived best and at worst state. The main findings are that persons with psychosis and a more positive self‐image at their perceived best state have a better remission from negative and positive psychotic symptoms and an increased level of social functioning after one year in treatment. Further, some support was found for the presence of defensive processes in forming the self‐image in psychosis, as reduced acknowledgement of present illness and grandiosity were associated with a less negative self‐image at worst state. This defensive strategy might be helpful in remission, as a less negative self‐image at worst state was related to better remission in positive psychotic symptoms after one year in treatment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.