Social recovery following first-episode psychosis: the role of negative symptoms and motivation

Maidment, Megan (2014) Social recovery following first-episode psychosis: the role of negative symptoms and motivation. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background
Impairment in social functioning following psychosis is associated with negative symptoms, particularly reduced motivation (Foussias & Remington, 2010). Cognitive models of negative symptoms propose that expectancy appraisals are involved in the expression and maintenance of negative symptoms (Rector, Beck, & Stolar, 2005; Staring & Van der Gaag, 2010). Theories of motivation (e.g. expectancy-value theory; Eccles and Wigfield 2002) describe how self-efficacy beliefs, appraisals of task value, and self-schema may influence behaviour, but minimal research has applied these models to the understanding of negative symptoms and functional outcomes in first-episode psychosis. This was the aim of the current study.
Method
A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted to explore relationships between negative symptoms and appraisals of self-efficacy, task value and self-schema in a clinical sample of individuals with first-episode psychosis. Fifty-one participants completed measures examining psychotic symptoms, functioning, and appraisals.
Results
Relationships between negative symptoms and appraisals of self-efficacy, task value and self-schema were found, however these relationships were not significant when controlling for depression and anxiety symptoms. Contrary to expectations, there was no difference in the strength of relationships between self-efficacy, subjective task value and self-schema and the negative symptoms associated with motivation compared with other negative symptoms. Self-efficacy and self-schema were not significantly
correlated with social functioning, but negative symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between subjective task value and social functioning.
Discussion
Although some hypotheses were partially supported, depressive symptoms accounted for the most variance in negative symptoms in this sample. The findings support a psychological approach for treatment to assist functional recovery of individuals with first-episode psychosis. This study addresses some methodological limitations of previous research, though was itself limited by small sample size. Theoretical implications for the applicability of cognitive models of negative symptoms and theories of motivation in first-episode psychosis are also discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Jackie Webb
Date Deposited:	03 Nov 2014 14:48
Last Modified:	03 Nov 2014 14:49
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/50723
DOI:

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