The relationship between symptoms and stress in adolescents with schizophrenia.

Stress predicts outcomes in adults with schizophrenia, but its effect in adolescents is unknown. We used exploratory data analysis to examine changes in symptoms and to correlate symptoms with stress at 0, 6, 30, and 54 weeks in 40 adolescents with schizophrenia. Symptoms were measured with the Early Signs and Symptoms Scale; stress was measured with the Hassles Scale. From baseline to 54 weeks, symptom severity decreased significantly. Symptom severity and stress correlated significantly at baseline, 30 weeks, and 54 weeks, after controlling for the number of hospitalizations and baseline symptom severity. These results implicate stress in schizophrenia symptoms in adolescents and justify examining stress management for these patients.