Lillianne Devereux

Psychosis is a mental disorder that significantly impairs an individual's social, occupational, familial, educational, and more aspects of life. Individuals with psychosis often have deficits in cognition, as well as various facets of real-world functioning. This study aims to explore the connections between cognition and role functioning in individuals with psychosis. In the study, participants with recent-onset psychotic disorders, as well as demographically similar control participants, completed clinical and cognitive study tasks approximately two weeks apart. Cognitive control was assessed through the Translational Orientation Pattern Expectancy (TOPX) task, general intelligence (IQ) was estimated through Test My Brain (TMB),, symptom severity was assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and role functioning was assessed using the Global Functioning: Social and Role scales (GF: S and GF:R). Linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationships between role functioning and various cognitive factors including cognitive control, IQ, and symptom severity. As expected, greater symptom severity, especially severity of disorganized symptoms, predicted lower role functioning. However, associations between role functioning and indices of cognitive control, as well as role functioning and IQ, were not statistically significant. These results may suggest a weak connection between cognitive factors and role functioning in individuals with early psychosis. A better understanding of the connection between cognitive deficits and real world functioning can aid in finding future support for individuals with early psychosis.