Robustelli Briana L, Newberry Raeana E, Whisman Mark A, Mittal Vijay A
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, 345 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, United States.
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, 345 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, United States.
Psychiatry Res. 2017 Jan;247:345-351. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.12.008. Epub 2016 Dec 7.
Studies suggest that individuals with schizophrenia have smaller social networks and less satisfying relationships. However, much is still unknown about the typical quantity and quality of social relationships in young adults during the ultra high-risk (UHR) period. Investigating these relationships holds significant importance for improving understanding of etiological processes, mapping the social environment, and highlighting treatment targets in a critical period. A total of 85 participants (44 UHR and 41 healthy controls) completed measures examining the participants' social relationships, social support, and loneliness. Mean differences between the UHR and healthy control participants and associations between social relationships and symptoms and functioning were examined. Results indicated significant differences between groups on several indices. Specifically, the UHR youth reported fewer close friends, less diverse social networks, less perceived social support, poorer relationship quality with family and friends, and more loneliness. Notably, within the UHR group, being lonely and having fewer and worse quality relationships was associated with greater symptom severity and lower overall functioning. This study suggests that youth at high-risk of developing psychosis have fewer and poorer quality social relationships. Interventions that focus on increasing the quantity and quality of young adults' social networks may be beneficial for this population.
研究表明，精神分裂症患者的社交网络较小，人际关系也不太令人满意。然而，关于超高风险（UHR）期青年成年人社交关系的典型数量和质量，仍有许多未知之处。研究这些关系对于增进对病因过程的理解、描绘社会环境以及在关键时期突出治疗靶点具有重要意义。共有85名参与者（44名超高风险者和41名健康对照者）完成了考察参与者社交关系、社会支持和孤独感的测量。检验了超高风险参与者与健康对照参与者之间的均值差异，以及社交关系与症状及功能之间的关联。结果表明，两组在几个指标上存在显著差异。具体而言，超高风险青年报告的亲密朋友较少、社交网络多样性较低、感知到的社会支持较少、与家人和朋友的关系质量较差以及孤独感更强。值得注意的是，在超高风险组中，孤独以及拥有较少且质量较差的人际关系与更严重的症状和更低的整体功能相关。这项研究表明，有患精神病高风险的青年社交关系较少且质量较差。专注于增加青年成年人社交网络数量和质量的干预措施可能对这一人群有益。
