Poorer self-reported family functioning in male adolescents with behavioural disturbances was associated with an increased risk for later hospitalization for psychosis (HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.05-1.27).
Cohort (n=42,948)
Hazard Ratio: 1.16 (95% CI 1.05–1.27)
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies indicate that a poor family environment might affect vulnerability for the later manifestation of psychotic illness. The current study aims to examine family functioning prior to the onset of psychosis. METHOD: Subjects were 42,948, 17-year old males with behavioural disturbances who were asked about the functioning of their family by the Israeli Draft Board. Data on later psychiatric hospitalizations were obtained from a National Psychiatric Hospitalization Registry. RESULTS: Poorer self-reported family functioning was associated with greater risk for later hospitalization for psychosis adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.05-1.27, with a trend in the same direction for schizophrenia (adjusted HR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.98-1.24). CONCLUSION: In male adolescents with behavioural disturbances, perceived poorer family functioning is associated with increased risk for non-affective psychotic disorders and schizophrenia. These data do not enable us to determine if perceived familial dysfunction increases vulnerability for psychosis, if premorbid behavioural abnormalities disrupt family life, or neither.
Weiser et al. (Wed,) conducted a cohort in Behavioural disturbances and risk for psychotic disorders (n=42,948). Poorer self-reported family functioning vs. Better family functioning was evaluated on Later hospitalization for psychosis (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.27). Poorer self-reported family functioning in male adolescents with behavioural disturbances was associated with an increased risk for later hospitalization for psychosis (HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.05-1.27).