Changes in health-related quality of life and functioning ability in help-seeking adolescents and adolescents at heightened risk of developing psychosis during family- and community-oriented intervention model. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Granö, Niklas; Karjalainen, Marjaana; Edlund, Virve; Saari, Erkki; Itkonen, Arja; Anto, Jukka; Roine, Mikko
• Is Part Of: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice. Volume 17:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 258
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: Mental illness -- Periodicals; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.3109/13651501.2013.784791
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1365-1501

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>. Early intervention has been shown to benefit people at-risk for psychosis, but knowledge about how early intervention benefits all help-seeking adolescents is lacking. The aim of the present study was to study change in health-related quality of life (QoL) and functioning ability in help-seeking adolescents who participate in a community- and family-oriented early intervention program. <italic>Methods</italic>. The data was collected in Finland by an early-intervention team. Ninety help-seeking adolescents between 12 and 21 years of age filled out a questionnaire on QoL (16D) and functioning ability (GAF), which was assessed by workers at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. A PROD screen was used to assess heightened risk of developing psychosis. <italic>Results</italic>. QoL and functioning ability showed significant differences (p < 0.001) between the beginning and the end of the intervention, as well in a subgroup of participants at heightened risk of developing psychosis (QoL, p = 0.008; GAF, p < 0.001: n = 35). 35.6% improved over the clinical cut-off point in functioning ability and 48.6% of the subjects at-risk. 53.3% reached clinically significant improvement in QoL and 54.2% of the subjects at heightened risk of developing psychosis. <italic>Conclusions</italic>. The results suggest that there is both statistically and clinically remarkable improvement in QoL and functioning ability after a need-adapted, family- and community-oriented intervention.</p> </abstract>