Updated Examination of the Relationship Between Gender, Family Involvement in Treatment, and Functioning in First Episode Psychosis
Jacqueline F. Dow (1), Jamie Fischer (1), Nicole Cerundolo (1), Emily E. Carol (1,2), Dost Öngür, MD( 1,2), Julie M. McCarthy (1,2)
1. Schizophrenia & Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA,
2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Background: Involving family can improve client outcomes in coordinated specialty care (CSC) for early psychosis. However, family involvement and functional outcomes can vary by gender, but the relationships between family involvement, client functioning, and gender remains unclear. This secondary data analysis aims to provide an updated examination of family members involvement in treatment among people with early psychosis, as well as the relationship of gender, and social and occupational functioning with such involvement.
Methods: Outpatients in Massachusetts CSC clinics self-reported demographics and family involvement in treatment. Clinicians reported occupational (MIRECC-GAF Occupational) and social functioning scores (GF Social Scale). Individuals without variables of interest were excluded. Non-binary individuals were excluded due to sample size. Chi-square and descriptive analyses evaluated gender differences in client preference for family involvement in care, family involvement and refusal, and occupational and social functioning. T-tests examined gender differences in (1) occupational function, and (2) social functioning. Regression analyses will evaluate the relationship between family involvement, functioning, and gender.
Results: Baseline data (N=122) were included (69.7% men, 30.3% women). Many clients reported a preference for family involvement with some or no restrictions (82.0%). Most clients reported that family had not been involved in their treatment (54.1%), while 8.2% of clients reported family member refusal to participate in their treatment. There were no gender differences in client preference, family involvement, or refusal. Additionally, those with family involvement in care had on average, lower occupational and social functioning scores (p<0.0001 and p<0.05 respectively). Women, on average, had higher social and occupational functioning scores (p<0.0001, p<0.0001). Further analyses will evaluate whether gender and family involvement in treatment predict functioning.
Conclusion: Family involvement in early psychosis treatment may be associated with poor social and occupational functioning but not client gender. Further research is needed to examine who may benefit most from family involvement in care.