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Social Cognition and Social Inclusion in Young People With First‐Episode Psychosis: A Brief Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIM: First-episode psychosis (FEP) is a disabling illness associated with poor social inclusion, a critical determinant of mental health. Social cognitive impairment, a core feature of psychosis, may have implications for social inclusion. METHOD: This cross-sectional study investigated relationships between social inclusion and social cognition in 56 young people with FEP (aged 16-25, M = 20.4; SD = 2.8 years) receiving treatment at Orygen's Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Social inclusion was assessed alongside social cognition (domains including theory of mind, emotion recognition, social perception and attributional bias), and psychopathology. RESULTS: Social inclusion was significantly lower when compared to data from a same-aged non-clinical sample (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis found no significant associations between social cognition and social inclusion (all p > 0.05). DISCUSSION: Findings highlight social challenges experienced in early psychosis, particularly building and maintaining relationships. Future research should examine how interventions targeting broader social and functional factors might enhance social inclusion in early psychosis.

Source: Early Intervention in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1111/eip.70113

Authors: Molly Butler, Kate Filia, Jacqueline Anderson, Sean Murrihy, Sue M. Cotton, Amity E. Watson

Institutions: The University of Melbourne, Orygen, Monash University

Language: English

Topic: Schizophrenia research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: University of Melbourne