Search for protective factors for psychosis – a population‐based sample with special interest in unaffected individuals with parental psychosis

• Published in: Early Intervention in Psychiatry
• Main Authors: Keskinen, Emmi, Marttila, Riikka, Koivumaa‐Honkanen, Heli, Moilanen, Kristiina, Keinänen‐Kiukaanniemi, Sirkka, Timonen, Markku, Isohanni, Matti, McGrath, John, Miettunen, Jouko, Jääskeläinen, Erika
• Other Authors: Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Rahasto, Sigrid Juséliuksen Säätiö, Suomen Akatemia, Pohjois-Suomen Terveydenhuollon Tukisäätiö, Jalmari ja Rauha Ahokkaan Säätiö, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2016
• Subjects: Northern Finland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eip.12380; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Feip.12380; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/eip.12380

Abstract Aim To find factors that are associated with not having psychotic illness in a prospective general population sample, with a special interest in individuals with parental psychosis. Methods Data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 ( n = 10 458) and several registers were used to detect individuals with and without parental psychosis. Altogether, 594 persons had parent(s) with psychosis and 48 of them also had psychosis subsequently. Variables related to pregnancy and birth, family and childhood, health and habits in adolescence, school performance and physical activity were studied to identify determinants of unaffected status among individuals with and without parental psychosis. Results In the parental psychosis group, the unaffected persons had more likely a mother who was non‐depressed during pregnancy, and who worked outside the home or studied than among those who developed psychosis. Conclusions Protective factors for psychosis were surprisingly few in this sample. These factors were related to the mother's non‐depressed mood and the mother's work outside the home or studies. This could relate to better health and functioning of a mother. This work highlights the need for more research on protective factors for psychosis in order to identify methods for prevention of psychosis.