Clinical and psychological correlates of insight dimensions in patients with early psychosis

Abstract

Aim: To investigate correlates of insight dimensions in Chinese adult patients with early psychosis.

Methods: Insight dimensions including awareness of mental disorder (AMD), illness consequences (AIC) and medication effect (AME) were measured. A wide array of variables encompassing demographics, premorbid adjustment, onset profiles, symptomatology, treatment characteristics and psychological factors were comprehensively assessed.

Results: Of 130 participants, 53.1%, 47.7% and 56.2% were categorized with good AMD, AIC and AME, respectively. Good AMD was associated with female gender, fewer positive and disorganization symptoms, more severe depression and greater self-stigma. Good AIC was related to female gender, more severe depression and greater self-stigma. Younger age of onset, fewer positive symptoms and greater service satisfaction associated with good AME.

Conclusions: Poor insight is prevalent in early psychosis. Differential relationships of insight dimensions with other illness variables underscore the importance of multidimensional approach in insight evaluation, and suggest potential treatment target for insight enhancement.

Keywords: early psychosis; insight; multidimensional; self-stigma; service satisfaction.