Changes in core beliefs over time predict symptoms and functioning in clinical high risk for psychosis

Aim: The current study examined whether changes in core beliefs over time predict positive symptoms, negative symptoms, social functioning, and role functioning within individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR).

Methods: CHR participants (N = 73) completed the Brief Core Schemas Scale (BCSS) at baseline, with a subset of participants (n = 54) completing study procedures at a 12-month follow-up. Attenuated psychotic symptoms, social, and role functioning were assessed at both timepoints.

Results: Hierarchical regression analyses showed that changes in self-beliefs between baseline and follow-up predicted worsening social and role functioning at 12-month follow-up, with trends suggesting they also predicted negative and positive symptoms at 12-month follow-up. The independent effect of an increase in negative self-beliefs marginally or significantly predicted all outcomes of interest.

Conclusions: The current study shows incremental validity of self-beliefs from a novel perspective. It suggests that worsening self-beliefs have a clinically meaningful impact within CHR populations.