scholarly journals Cognitive strengths in first episode psychosis: a thematic analysis of clinicians’ perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Steele ◽  
Nicholas Cheng ◽  
Lisa J. Phillips ◽  
Shayden Bryce ◽  
Mario Alvarez-Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Young People ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Strengths Approach ◽  
Cognitive Strengths

Abstract Background Cognitive deficits are associated with poor functional outcomes in individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Existing treatments that target cognitive deficits in FEP may enhance cognitive function, but improvements to real-world functioning are less consistent. Furthermore, these treatments may not adequately address the personal recovery goals of young people attending FEP services. A novel cognitive strengths-based approach may overcome these shortcomings. Methods This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore clinicians’ (N = 12) perspectives toward the potential development of a cognitive strengths-based assessment or treatment in FEP. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Five higher-order themes emerged: (1) pro-strengths attitude despite unfamiliarity and minimal use, (2) default to a cognitive deficit lens, (3) potential benefits of a cognitive strengths approach, (4) potential risks and barriers, and (5) considerations for successful implementation. While clinicians acknowledged their current deficit approach, they supported implementing a cognitive strengths assessment or treatment and highlighted their potential benefits for the personal recovery needs of young people with FEP. Conclusions These findings suggest that a deficit-focused approach to cognitive function amongst clinicians may be common practice in FEP services. Nevertheless, a cognitive strengths approach was viewed favourably by clinicians and may represent a novel method of supporting personal recovery. Thus, the design and implementation of a cognitive strengths approach may be worthwhile. Future exploration of other stakeholder perspectives, such as young people with FEP, is essential.

scholarly journals Cognitive Strengths Assessment and Intervention in First Episode Psychosis: A Thematic Analysis of Clinicians’ Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Steele ◽  
Nicholas Cheng ◽  
Lisa J. Phillips ◽  
Shayden Bryce ◽  
Mario Alvarez-Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Young People ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Strengths Approach ◽  
Strengths Assessment ◽  
Cognitive Strengths

Abstract Background Cognitive deficits are associated with poor functional outcomes in individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Existing treatments that target cognitive deficits in FEP may enhance cognitive function, but improvements to real-world functioning are less consistent. Furthermore, these treatments may not adequately address the personal recovery goals of young people attending FEP services. A novel cognitive strengths-based approach may overcome these shortcomings. Methods This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore clinicians' (N = 12) perspectives toward the potential development of a cognitive strengths-based assessment or intervention in FEP. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Five higher-order themes emerged: (1) pro-strengths attitude despite unfamiliarity and minimal use, (2) default to a cognitive deficit lens, (3) potential benefits of a cognitive strengths approach, (4) potential risks and barriers, and (5) considerations for successful implementation. While clinicians acknowledged their current deficit approach, they supported implementing a cognitive strengths assessment or intervention and highlighted their potential benefits for the personal recovery needs of young people with FEP. Conclusions These findings suggest that a deficit-focused approach to cognitive function amongst clinicians may be common practice in FEP services. Nevertheless, a cognitive strengths approach to assessment and intervention was viewed favourably by clinicians and may represent a novel method of supporting personal recovery. Thus, the design and implementation of a cognitive strengths approach may be worthwhile. Future exploration of other stakeholder perspectives, such as young people with FEP, is essential.

First-episode schizophrenia: review of cognitive deficits and cognitive remediation

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Vishnu Gopal ◽  
Hannele Variend
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Psychological Techniques ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

The presence of cognitive deficits in schizophrenic illness has been extensively documented, and deficits in memory and executive functioning may be related to poor prognosis. Targeting these deficits during the early phase has potential benefits. The neural basis for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia is not well understood, and hence pharmacological interventions alone are insufficient. Future strategies should focus on pharmacological interventions combined with psychological techniques such as cognitive remediation. This review summarises recent findings relating to first-episode schizophrenia.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal 5-Year Follow-Up Study of Cognitive Function After First Episode Major Depressive Disorder: Exploring State, Scar and Trait Effects

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eivind Haga Ronold ◽  
Marit Therese Schmid ◽  
Ketil Joachim Oedegaard ◽  
Åsa Hammar
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
History Of ◽  
Initial Episode

Major depression (MDD) is associated with cognitive deficits in processing speed and executive function (EF) following first episode (FE). It is unclear whether deficits are state or trait related. Studies following FE MDD over longer periods are lacking, making it uncertain how cognition and symptoms develop after the initial episode. The present study assessed cognitive function and symptoms 5 years following FE MDD. In addition, the study explored relationships between MDD symptoms, rumination, and cognitive deficits with regards to the trait, state, and scar perspective. Twenty-three participants with previous FE MDD, and 20 matched control participants were compared on Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System measures of processing speed and EF, in a 5-year longitudinal follow-up study. Correlations between current symptoms- and history of MDD, rumination, cognition were investigated. Findings indicated that cognitive deficits persisted with no clear signs of exacerbation after initial episode. Inhibition appeared independent of current and previous symptoms of depression. Processing speed was related to depressive- symptoms and rumination. In conclusion, results indicated persisting, stable deficits in both EFs and processing speed. Findings further suggest that depressive symptoms could be related to deficits in processing speed, indicating state effects. There was limited support for worsening of cognition after initial episode. Some aspects of EF like Inhibition could show persistent deficits independent of depressive symptoms indicating trait effects.

scholarly journals Psychopathology and cognitive deficits in young people exposed to complex trauma

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S36-S37
Author(s):  
Stephanie J Lewis ◽  
Karestan C Koenen ◽  
Antony Ambler ◽  
Louise Arseneault ◽  
Avshalom Caspi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Young People ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Complex Trauma ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Severe Psychopathology

AimsComplex traumas are traumatic experiences that involve multiple interpersonal threats during childhood or adolescence, such as repeated abuse. This type of trauma is hypothesized to lead to more severe psychopathology and poorer cognitive function than other non-complex traumas, such as road traffic accidents. However, empirical testing of this hypothesis has been limited to clinical or convenience samples and cross-sectional designs. To better understand this topic, we aimed to investigate psychopathology and cognitive function in young people exposed to complex, non-complex, or no trauma from a population-representative longitudinal cohort, and to consider the role of pre-existing vulnerabilities.MethodParticipants were from the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study, a population-representative birth-cohort of 2,232 children born in England and Wales in 1994-95. At age 18 years (93% participation), we assessed lifetime exposure to complex and non-complex trauma. We also assessed past-year psychopathology including general psychopathology ‘p’ and several psychiatric disorders, as well as current cognitive function including IQ, executive function, and processing speed. Additionally, we prospectively assessed early childhood vulnerabilities including internalizing and externalizing symptoms at age 5, IQ at age 5, family history of mental illness, family socioeconomic status, and sex.ResultWe found that participants who had been exposed to complex trauma had more severe psychopathology and poorer cognitive function across wide-ranging measures at age 18, compared to both trauma-unexposed participants and those exposed to non-complex trauma. Early childhood vulnerabilities had an important role in these presentations, as they predicted risk of later complex trauma exposure, and largely explained associations of complex trauma with cognitive deficits, but not with psychopathology.ConclusionBy conflating complex and non-complex traumas, current research and clinical practice under-estimate the severity of psychopathology and cognitive deficits linked with complex trauma, as well as the role of pre-existing vulnerabilities. A better understanding of the mental health needs of people exposed to complex trauma and underlying mechanisms could inform the development of new effective interventions.

scholarly journals Impact of depressive episodes on cognitive deficits in early bipolar disorder: data from the Systematic Treatment Optimization Programme for Early Mania (STOP-EM)

2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kesavan Muralidharan ◽  
Ivan J. Torres ◽  
Leonardo E. Silveira ◽  
Jan-Marie Kozicky ◽  
Joana Bücker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Treatment Optimization ◽  
Systematic Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Depressive Episodes ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundAlthough manic episodes reportedly contribute to cognitive deficits in bipolar I disorder, the contribution of depressive episodes is poorly researched.AimsWe investigated the impact of depressive episodes on cognitive function early in the course of bipolar I disorder.MethodA total of 68 patients and 38 controls from the Systematic Treatment Optimization Programme for Early Mania (STOP-EM) first-episode mania programme were examined. We conducted (a) a cross-sectional analysis of the impact of prior depressive episodes on baseline cognitive function and (b) a prospective analysis assessing the contribution of depression recurrence within 1 year following a first episode of mania on cognitive functioning.ResultsThe cross-sectional analysis showed no significant differences between patients with past depressive episodes compared with those without, on overall or individual domains of cognitive function (allP>0.09). The prospective analysis failed to reveal a significant group×time interaction for cognitive decline from baseline to 1 year (P= 0.99) in patients with a recurrence of depressive episodes compared with those with no recurrence. However, impaired verbal memory at baseline was associated with a depression recurrence within 1 year.ConclusionsAlthough deficits in all domains of cognitive function are seen in patients early in the course of bipolar disorder, depressive episodes do not confer additional burden on cognitive function. However, poorer verbal memory may serve as a marker for increased susceptibility to depression recurrence early in the course of illness.

scholarly journals Genetic polymorphisms of BDNF on cognitive functions in drug-naive first episode patients with schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuru Su ◽  
Limin Qiao ◽  
Qing Liu ◽  
Yujie Shang ◽  
Xiaoni Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Language Performance ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
Genotype And Allele Frequencies

AbstractBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is reported to be involved in cognitive decline in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). Previous studies have found that cognitive deficits remain stable during the chronic disease phase in SZ, but the findings were inconsistent. The role of BDNF in cognitive deficits at different stage of illness remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effect of BDNF polymorphisms on cognitive deficits in drug-naïve first-episode (DNFE) patients and chronic patients with SZ. 262 DNFE patients, 844 chronic patients, and 1043 healthy controls were recruited to compare 4 polymorphisms in BDNF gene and cognitive function. We found that there was no significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies between SZ patients and controls. However, they were closely related to cognitive functioning. BDNF rs2030324 polymorphism played a strong role in language performance only in DNFE patients with SZ. The language index of DNFE patients with rs2030324 TT and TC genotypes was worse than that of chronic patients, but there was no significant difference in CC genotypes between DNFE and chronic patients. Rs6265 had no significant effect on cognitive functioning in patients and controls. Our result suggests BDNF gene polymorphisms were related to different domains of cognitive function at the different stage of SZ, especially language in DNFE patients.

Cortical morphometric correlational networks associated with cognitive deficits in first episode schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 231 ◽  
pp. 179-188
Author(s):  
Chencai Wang ◽  
Talia Oughourlian ◽  
Todd A. Tishler ◽  
Faizan Anwar ◽  
Catalina Raymond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
First Episode ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Combined Factor V Leiden (R506Q) and prothrombin G20210A genotyping in young patients presenting with deep venous thrombosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mansilha ◽  
F Araújo ◽  
M Severo ◽  
S M Sampaio ◽  
T Toledo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Young People ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Factor V Leiden ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Factor V ◽  
Factor V Leiden Mutation

Objective: To evaluate the association between the Factor V Leiden (FV R506Q) and prothrombin gene (FII G20210A) mutations and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in young people. Methods: Blood samples were drawn from 199 subjects: 100 healthy controls and 99 unselected patients, with an objectively documented first episode of DVT under 40 years old. DNA analysis was performed using the polymerase chain reaction. Results: The mean age in the patient cohort was 27 years (range 16–40) and 68 (68.7%) were women. Patient prevalences were 20.6% and 10.1% for FV R506Q and FII G20210A, respectively. In the control group, carrier frequencies were 2% and 5%, respectively. We found an increased overall relative risk of DVT with statistical significance for FV R506Q carriers (OR: 12.8; 95% CI: 2.9–56.7; P < 0.001), but not for FII G20210A mutation (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 0.7–6.5; P = 0.19). Conclusions: Our results suggest a possible increase in DVT risk for the young G20210A allele carriers, which can be more expressed in the presence of a circumstantial risk factor. There is extremely strong evidence that the Factor V Leiden mutation is an important risk factor in the development of a first episode of DVT in young people.

scholarly journals On the bright side: Young people’s most positive memories of family foster care

2020 ◽  
pp. 135910452097869
Author(s):  
Anne Steenbakkers ◽  
Steffie van der Steen ◽  
Hans Grietens
Keyword(s):  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Normal Family ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Family Foster Care ◽  
Continuous Support ◽  
Positive Memories ◽  
Negative Memories

This study explored what contributes to successful family foster care from the perspective of young people by asking them about their most positive memory of family foster care. Forty-four Dutch adolescents and young adults (aged 16–28) participated in this study and shared their most positive memory in a short interview. Their answers were qualitatively analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, supplemented with an analysis of the structure of their memories. The thematic analysis resulted in the themes Belongingness, Receiving support, Normal family life, It is better than before, and Seeing yourself grow. The structural analysis showed that young people both shared memories related to specific events, as well as memories that portrayed how they felt for a prolonged period of time. In addition, young people were inclined to share negative memories alongside the positive memories. These results highlight that, in order to build a sense of belonging, it is important that of foster parents create a normal family environment for foster children and provide continuous support. Moreover, the negative memories shared by participants are discussed in light of a bias resulting from earlier traumatic experiences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document