The impact of psychosis symptoms and psychosocial factors on symptoms of depression among individuals in an early phase of psychosis illness

Depressive symptoms are common among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, yet few studies have examined how various psychosocial factors and psychosis symptoms relate to depression in an early phase of psychosis illness. A greater understanding regarding the connection between psychosis symptoms and depressive symptoms is needed to inform assessment and intervention efforts in this population. The current study examined the relationships between psychosocial factors (distress, peer rejection, emotional support, perceived hostility), psychosis symptoms (positive, negative, general), and depression among individuals in an early phase of psychosis illness. Data were obtained from the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis including 167 individuals between the ages of 16 and 35 at the time of consent who met criteria for having onset of affective or nonaffective psychosis within 5 years. Clinical assessments and questionnaires were administered, and data were analyzed in SPSS and MPlus. Peer rejection (p < 0.05), distress (p < 0.001), perceived hostility (p < 0.05), and general symptoms of psychosis (p < 0.001) significantly related to depression. Bivariate associations existed between all psychosocial factors and psychosis symptoms with the exception of negative symptoms. Understanding symptoms and factors that associate with depression among individuals with psychosis in an early phase of illness can inform tailored intervention approaches of clinicians to focus on distress, peer rejection, perceived hostility, and general psychosis symptoms.