@article{ref1,
title="Social networks and support in first-episode psychosis: exploring the role of loneliness and anxiety",
journal="Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology",
year="2014",
author="Sündermann, Oliver and Onwumere, Juliana and Kane, Fergus and Morgan, Craig and Kuipers, Elizabeth",
volume="49",
number="3",
pages="359-366",
abstract="PURPOSE: To investigate social support and network features in people with first-episode psychosis, and to examine anxiety as a possible mediator between loneliness and a rating of paranoia. METHOD: Thirty-eight people with first-episode psychosis were recruited for a cross-sectional study. Self-report questionnaires and structured interviews assessed symptoms, functioning, and qualitative social network and support features. A mood-induction task involved watching anxiety-inducing pictures on a computer screen. Visual analogue scales assessed changes in paranoia, anxiety and loneliness and a mediation analysis was conducted. RESULTS: One-third of the sample (34 %) had no confidant [95 % CI (18.4, 50.0 %)]. The average number of weekly contacts was 3.9, with 2.6 lonely days. Poor perceived social support, loneliness and the absence of a confidant were strongly associated with psychosis and depressive symptoms (0.35 < rs < 0.60). The association between loneliness and paranoia was mediated through anxiety (ab = 0.43, z = 3.5; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even at first episode, a large proportion of people with psychosis have poor perceived support, no confidant and report several lonely days a week. Patients without a confidant appear to be more susceptible to feeling lonely and anxious. Anxiety may be one pathway through which loneliness affects psychosis. Interventions which focus on this are indicated.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0933-7954",
doi="10.1007/s00127-013-0754-3",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0754-3"
}