Perceived stress influences anhedonia and social functioning in a community sample enriched for psychosis-risk. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pelletier-Baldelli, Andrea; Strauss, Gregory P.; Kuhney, Franchesca S.; Chun, Charlotte; Gupta, Tina; Ellman, Lauren M.; Schiffman, Jason; Mittal, Vijay A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 135(2021)
• Page Start: 96
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Psychosis-risk -- Anhedonia -- Social functioning -- SEM -- Perceived stress; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: Existing animal and human research support the causal role of stress in the emergence of anhedonia, and in turn, the influence of anhedonia in social functioning. However, this model has not been tested in relation to psychosis-risk; this literature gap is notable given that both anhedonia and declining social functioning represent key markers of risk of developing a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. The current research tested the evidence for this model using structural equation modeling in 240 individuals selected based on a range of psychosis-risk symptomatology from the general community. Results supported this model in comparison with alternative models, and additionally emphasized the direct role of perceived stress in social functioning outcomes. Findings suggest the clinical relevance of targeting early perceptions of stress in individuals meeting psychosis-risk self-report criteria in an effort to prevent subsequent anhedonia and declines in social functioning. Highlights: Perceived stress impacts social functioning, both directly and by way of anhedonia. These paths are evident in a sample enriched for psychosis-risk. Perceived stress represents a target for early psychosis-risk intervention.