3 - (SYM 90) Psychiatric Symptomatology and Treatment Outcomes in Black, Hispanic/latino, and White First-episode Psychosis Patients in an Intensive Outpatient Program

Due to systemic racism, racial and ethnic disparities are evident in psychiatric symptomatology, treatment access, and treatment outcomes. For example, Black and Hispanic/Latino Americans are also more likely to be diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and are less likely to receive important services. Although there has been much debate in the literature regarding the determinants of racial/ethnic disparities in psychosis, a more concerted effort is needed to understand the efficacy of evidence-based first-episode interventions for Black and Hispanic/Latino Americans. The proposed study will examine psychiatric symptomatology at study entry and follow-up in a sample of Black, Hispanic/Latino, and White first-episode psychosis patients. Participants were recruited from local psychiatric hospitals and enrolled in 2x2 randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to either cognitive remediation or a healthy behavior psychoeducational group. Participants were also randomly assigned to receive either an oral or long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication. Individual placement and support services were provided to all study participants. Longitudinal analyses will be conducted to assess changes in psychiatric symptoms and outcomes (e.g., hospitalization and relapse rates) as well as in role and social functioning in Black, Hispanic/Latino, and White participants. These findings have the potential to enhance our understanding of the efficacy of evidence-based treatments for Black and Hispanic/Latino Americans. Results will be discussed in the context of relevant sociocultural factors that may influence symptom presentation and treatment outcomes.