Aims: This paper reviews and discusses the published information on coping strategies in people with a first-episode psychosis (FEP). The objective is to update knowledge about coping strategies used by people with a FEP, to compare these strategies with those used by other mental disorders, and to examine the relationship between coping strategies and other variables in FEP.
Method: A search was conducted using PsycINFO, MEDLINE and PSICODOC between 1995 and 2018 using the following terms: coping strategies or Adaptation, Psychological and FEP.
Results: A total of 167 studies were found, of which 14 were selected for review. The results suggest the need for a multiple and integrated approach, since there are several factors that are involved in the coping strategies (eg, socio-demographic, clinical and psychological variables) used in the different profiles of psychotic spectrum, specifically in FEP.
Conclusions: The role of coping skills is an important issue in psychopathological research in addition to clinical outcome, especially from the point of view of the patients, their social context and their recovery. Moreover, personalized therapies addressed to personal recovery should be considered to develop better coping specifically addressed to patients' needs.
Keywords: adaptation; coping strategies; coping styles; first-episode psychosis; symptoms.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.