Suicidal behavior and personality traits contribute to disability in first-episode psychosis: A 1-year follow-up study

Objective
The main aim of this study was to analyze the potential relationship between suicidal behavior after first episode of psychosis (FEP) and family disability. The second aim was to find out whether personality traits are associated with disability dimensions.
Method
The study sample was composed of 65 FEP patients. The personal care, occupational, family, and social dimensions of disability were evaluated at 12 months after FEP. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore any putative outcome factors associated with dimensions of disability.
Results
Personal care during the 1‐year follow‐up was significantly impaired in suicide attempters and significantly associated with sociopathic personality traits. A decline in occupational functioning was significantly associated with schizotypy traits. On the other hand, deterioration in family, social, and global functioning at 1 year after FEP was related to poor premorbid adjustment during late adolescence.
Conclusions
Suicidal behavior prevention could improve psychosocial functioning, particularly personal care, in FEP. In addition, sociopathic and schizotypy personality traits as well as poor premorbid adjustment during late adolescence appear to be useful early markers of future disability.