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. 2023 Jul 4:14:1206511.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1206511. eCollection 2023.

Mentalization based treatment of youth on the psychotic spectrum: clinical profiles and outcomes for youth in the ECID

Mark Dangerfield #  1 , Line Brotnow Decker #  2
Affiliations

Mentalization based treatment of youth on the psychotic spectrum: clinical profiles and outcomes for youth in the ECID

Mark Dangerfield et al. Front Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Introduction: Early intervention may significantly improve the prognosis associated with psychotic disorders in adulthood.

Methods: The present study examined the acceptability and effectiveness of a standalone intensive, in-home, mentalization-based treatment (MBT) for extremely high-risk, non-help-seeking youth on the psychotic spectrum [Equipo Clínico de Intervención a Domicilio (ECID), Home Intervention Clinical Team].

Results: Despite previously being unable to participate in treatment, more than 90% of youth engaged and those on the psychotic spectrum demonstrated slightly higher engagement than the general high-risk group (95% and 85%, respectively, X1 = 4.218, p = 0.049). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models revealed no main group effect on the likelihood of reengaging with school over the first 12 months of treatment (X1 = 1.015, p = 0.314) when controlling for the duration of school absenteeism at intake. Overall, the percentage of school engagement rose from 12 to 55 over this period, more than 40% of the total sample experienced clinically reliable change and an additional 50% appeared clinically stable. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in the average change in HoNOSCA total severity score (X1 = 0.249, p = 0.618) or the distribution of youth into categories of clinical change during the first year of treatment (X1 = 0.068, p = 0.795).

Discussion: The present findings suggest that a mentalization based intervention may be able to engage extremely high-risk youth in treatment and have clinically meaningful impact on symptom severity and functioning after 12 months.

Keywords: AMBIT; adolescence; mentalization-based treatment; psychotic spectrum; treatment resistant.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of sample engaged in school at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months by group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage clinically reliable change by category for both study groups comparing baseline to 6 and 12 months of treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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