TY - JOUR

T1 - Cross-sectional associations between adaptive functioning and social cognitive and neurocognitive functions in adolescents with first-episode, early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders

AU - Jepsen, J. R. M.

AU - Rydkjaer, J.

AU - Fagerlund, B.

AU - Lemvigh, Cecilie K.

AU - Pagsberg, A. K.

AU - Glenthoj, B. Y.

AU - Oranje, B.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Background:Few studies have explored associations between adaptive functioning and cognition in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (EOS). Methods:Adaptive functioning, cognition, positive, negative, and general symptoms were characterized in adolescents with EOS and healthy controls. A modified scale of negative, respectively, general symptoms was used. Bivariate analyses identified correlates of adaptive functioning to be included in multivariate analysis. Results:Adolescents with EOS showed significant impairments of social- and neurocognitive functions (-0.86 < Cohen ' s ds < -0.58) and adaptive functioning (Cohen ' s d = -2.23). Visual memory, verbal working memory, processing speed, reaction time, social cognition, and modified negative and general symptoms correlated significantly with adaptive functioning. The multiple regression analysis revealed only verbal working memory as uniquely associated with adaptive functioning (explaining 22.7 % of its variance). Verbal working memory also associated significantly with adaptive functioning in the context of the nonsignificant modified negative and the significant modified general symptoms dimension. Conclusions:Adolescents with first-episode EOS had large impairments in adaptive functioning and moderate to large cognitive deficits. Verbal working memory was an important associate to concurrent adaptive functioning and may be a treatment target for trials to improve cognitive and adaptive functioning in adolescents with EOS.

AB - Background:Few studies have explored associations between adaptive functioning and cognition in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (EOS). Methods:Adaptive functioning, cognition, positive, negative, and general symptoms were characterized in adolescents with EOS and healthy controls. A modified scale of negative, respectively, general symptoms was used. Bivariate analyses identified correlates of adaptive functioning to be included in multivariate analysis. Results:Adolescents with EOS showed significant impairments of social- and neurocognitive functions (-0.86 < Cohen ' s ds < -0.58) and adaptive functioning (Cohen ' s d = -2.23). Visual memory, verbal working memory, processing speed, reaction time, social cognition, and modified negative and general symptoms correlated significantly with adaptive functioning. The multiple regression analysis revealed only verbal working memory as uniquely associated with adaptive functioning (explaining 22.7 % of its variance). Verbal working memory also associated significantly with adaptive functioning in the context of the nonsignificant modified negative and the significant modified general symptoms dimension. Conclusions:Adolescents with first-episode EOS had large impairments in adaptive functioning and moderate to large cognitive deficits. Verbal working memory was an important associate to concurrent adaptive functioning and may be a treatment target for trials to improve cognitive and adaptive functioning in adolescents with EOS.

KW - adaptive functioning

KW - cognition

KW - early-onset schizophrenia

KW - first-episode

KW - NEGATIVE SYNDROME SCALE

KW - LONG-TERM COURSE

KW - REMEDIATION THERAPY

KW - RATING-SCALE

KW - PSYCHOSIS

KW - RELIABILITY

KW - DEFICITS

KW - CHILDREN

KW - VALIDITY

KW - PREDICTORS

U2 - 10.1017/S0954579422001110

DO - 10.1017/S0954579422001110

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36484139

VL - 36

SP - ,208–218

JO - Development and Psychopathology

JF - Development and Psychopathology

SN - 0954-5794

IS - 1

ER -