Psychosis syndrome may impair reciprocal social behavior

Clinical high risk for psychosis syndrome appeared linked to impairment in reciprocal social behavior, according to results of a cross-sectional study published in Psychiatry Research.

“Several lines of research suggest that [reciprocal social behavior (RSB)] deficits are present in the clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR) syndrome, which can precede the onset of psychosis,” Denise S. Zou, of the department of psychology at Northwestern University, and colleagues wrote. “The CHR syndrome describes individuals who do not meet criteria for a DSM-5 psychotic disorder, but who experience attenuated psychotic symptoms, brief intermittent psychotic symptoms or genetic risk and recent declines in functioning.

“Deficits have been observed in CHR samples in social cognition, social communication and overall social functioning,” they added.

The researchers investigated RSB deficits and clinical and social functioning correlates among 45 individuals who met criteria for a CHR syndrome and 47 healthy controls. They also investigated correlations with number of friends, problematic social internet use and perceived social support.

Results showed greater deficits in total RSB and all RSB subdomains among the CHR group vs. the healthy control group. Zou and colleagues noted an association between total RSB deficits and greater negative but not positive symptom severity among the CHR group, as well as greater social functional impairment. They observed a potential relationship between RSB deficits and fewer friendships, more problematic social internet use and less perceived belonging and tangible social support; however, relationships with internet use and perceived social support did not survive correction via the False Discovery Rate.

“The present research replicated previous findings of RSB deficits in the CHR syndrome and showed that these deficits relate to negative symptoms and specific social outcomes, suggesting RSB as a rich topic for future study in this crucial developmental period,” Zou and colleagues wrote.