A scoping review of resilience among transition-age youth with serious mental illness: tensions, knowledge gaps, and future directions.

INTRODUCTION: The study of resilience among transition-age youth (aged 16-29 years) living with serious mental illness (SMI) has provided a promising new direction for research with the capacity to explore individuals' strengths and resources. However, variability in how resilience is defined and measured has led to a lack of conceptual clarity. A comprehensive synthesis is needed to understand current trends and gaps in resilience research among this population. The purpose of the current study was to map how resilience has been conceptualized and operationalized among transition-age youth with SMI, explore resilience factors and outcomes that have been studied, and recommend areas for future research. METHODS: A six-stage scoping review methodology was used to systematically identify relevant empirical literature across multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, Scopus), addressing transition-age youth diagnosed with SMI and resilience. Topic consultation and reaction meetings were conducted to gather feedback from transition-age youth with SMI, researchers, and clinicians during the review process to enhance the applicability of the review findings. A meta-narrative approach was used to organize included studies into research traditions (i.e., paradigms of inquiry with similar storylines, theoretical and methodological orientations). Resilience factors and outcomes, and the consultative meetings, were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria (14 quantitative, 9 qualitative, 1 mixed-method). Four research traditions were identified, each contributing a unique storyline which conceptualized and operationalized resilience in slightly different ways: Stress Adaptation, Person-Environment Interactions, Recovery-Focused, and Critical and Cultural Perspectives. Resilience factors and outcomes were most commonly evaluated at the individual-level or within the immediate environment (e.g., personal characteristics, social support networks). Limited research has explored the influence of macro-level systems and health inequalities on resilience processes. Results from the consultative meetings further demonstrated the importance of health services and sociocultural factors in shaping processes of resilience among youth. CONCLUSION: The present results may be used to inform future work, as well as the development of age-appropriate, strengths-based, and resilience-oriented approaches to service delivery. Interdisciplinary and intersectional research that prioritizes community and youth engagement is needed to advance current understandings of resilience among transition-age youth with SMI.

Using financial incentives to support service engagement of adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness: A qualitative analysis of key stakeholder perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Homelessness and mental illness are associated with poor service engagement, health and health service use outcomes. Existing literature suggests that financial incentives may effectively support service engagement of this population, but studies investigating key stakeholder perspectives are lacking. This study aimed to elicit, using qualitative methods, nuanced service user and provider experiences by using financial incentives to support service engagement among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness. METHODS: This qualitative study is part of a larger mixed-methods pragmatic trial of financial incentives (Coordinated Access to Care for the Homeless-Financial Incentives [CATCH-FI]) within a community-based brief case management programme (CATCH) in Toronto, Ontario. Twenty-two CATCH-FI participants were purposefully recruited to participate in in-depth, semi-structured interviews; five CATCH service providers participated in a focus group and seven key informants in individual interviews. Data collection occurred between April 2019 and December 2020. All interviews and the focus group were audio-recorded and transcribed. Topic guides prompted participant perspectives on and experiences of using financial incentives to support engagement, health and well-being. Grounded theory and inductive thematic analysis guided coding and interpretation of transcripts. Triangulation and member-checking enhanced the analytical rigour and validity of findings. RESULTS: CATCH service providers, key informants and subgroup of CATCH-FI participants perceived financial incentives to directly facilitate service engagement. The majority of CATCH-FI participants however highlighted that intrinsic motivation and service quality may be relatively more important facilitators of engagement. Most study participants across stakeholder groups perceived that financial incentives have direct positive influences on health and well-being in enabling access to basic needs and simple pleasures. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that for some adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness, financial incentives can directly support service engagement. In addition, financial incentives may positively impact health and well-being by easing financial stress and enabling deeper attention to individual health needs. Further research on the effectiveness and acceptability of financial incentives is needed to improve understanding and uptake of a promising intervention to support health and health service use outcomes in an underserved population. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Study participants provided input into the study research questions, study design, interview guides and interpretation of findings.

The acceptability of financial incentives to support service engagement of adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness: a qualitative study of key stakeholder perspectives Authorship.

PURPOSE: Evidence suggests financial incentives may effectively support service engagement among people experiencing homelessness, but literature related to their acceptability in this population is limited. This study used qualitative methods to explore stakeholder perspectives on the acceptability of using financial incentives to promote service engagement among homeless adults with mental illness. METHODS: As part of a larger mixed-methods pragmatic trial of a community-based brief case management program in Toronto, Canada, twenty-two trial participants were purposefully recruited to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews, and five service providers and seven key informants were purposefully recruited to participate in a focus group and interviews, respectively. Topics included perspectives of acceptability and lived experiences of using financial incentives to support engagement, health and well-being. Data collection occurred between April 2019 and December 2020. Data was audio-recorded and transcribed. Coding and interpretation of data was informed by grounded theory and inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Stakeholders held diverse views on the acceptability of financial incentives to promote service engagement in this population. Main themes across groups included moralizing recipient motivation; tensions in how best to define and respect autonomy; and consideration of potential unintended consequences for both individuals and the service system. Significant group differences within some themes emerged. CONCLUSION: Results highlight ongoing debates over using financial incentives to facilitate service engagement among adults experiencing homelessness and mental illness. Differences in stakeholder perspectives suggest the need for person-centredness in health and research settings, and balancing theoretical risks and long-term goals with likely potential for immediate benefits.

Mechanisms of change and participant outcomes in a Recovery Education Centre for individuals transitioning from homelessness: a qualitative evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Recovery Education Centres (RECs) are increasingly implemented to support the process of recovery for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. However, the evidence on key REC mechanisms and outcomes, particularly for diverse subpopulations or service delivery contexts is scant. This study identified mechanisms and outcomes of an REC focused on adults with mental health challenges transitioning from homelessness. METHODS: Qualitative methods were used to explore in-depth the experiences of homeless and unstably housed participants experiencing mental health challenges in Toronto, Canada. Twenty service users participated in semi-structured interviews between July 2017 and June 2018, six to 14 months following REC enrollment. A realist informed interview guide explored participants' perspectives on key REC mechanisms and outcomes. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Investigator triangulation and member checking processes enhanced analytical rigour. RESULTS: Participants perceived that program participation supported the process of recovery through several mechanisms: a judgment-free environment; supportive relationships, mutuality and role modelling; deconstruction of self-stigma; and reclaiming of one's power. Participants described several outcomes at the personal, interpersonal and social levels, including improvements in health and well-being; self-esteem, confidence and identity; sense of empowerment, control and personal responsibility; as well as improvements in interpersonal skills, pro-social behaviours and ability to self-advocate; and increased goal development and future orientation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest RECs can support the process of recovery among people transitioning from homelessness and can successfully support subpopulations experiencing mental health challenges and social disadvantage.

The impact of interventions for youth experiencing homelessness on housing, mental health, substance use, and family cohesion: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Youth often experience unique pathways into homelessness, such as family conflict, child abuse and neglect. Most research has focused on adult homeless populations, yet youth have specific needs that require adapted interventions. This review aims to synthesize evidence on interventions for youth and assess their impacts on health, social, and equity outcomes. METHODS: We systematically searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and other databases from inception until February 9, 2018 for systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials on youth interventions conducted in high income countries. We screened title and abstract and full text for inclusion, and data extraction were completed in duplicate, following the PRISMA-E (equity) review approach. RESULTS: Our search identified 11,936 records. Four systematic reviews and 18 articles on randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Many studies reported on interventions including individual and family therapies, skill-building, case management, and structural interventions. Cognitive behavioural therapy led to improvements in depression and substance use, and studies of three family-based therapies reported decreases in substance use. Housing first, a structural intervention, led to improvements in housing stability. Many interventions showed inconsistent results compared to services as usual or other interventions, but often led to improvements over time in both the intervention and comparison group. The equity analysis showed that equity variables were inconsistently measured, but there was data to suggest differential outcomes based upon gender and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified a variety of interventions for youth experiencing homelessness. Promising interventions include cognitive behavioural therapy for addressing depression, family-based therapy for substance use outcomes, and housing programs for housing stability. Youth pathways are often unique and thus prevention and treatment may benefit from a tailored and flexible approach.

Convergent validity of the EQ-5D-3L in a randomized-controlled trial of the Housing First model.

BACKGROUND: Health utility assessments are important for economic evaluations but few instruments have been validated in homeless people with mental illness. We examined the convergent validity of the EuroQol-5 Dimension 3-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) as a measure of quality of life in homeless adults with mental illness. METHODS: Data were from Toronto participants in At Home/Chez Soi, a 24-month randomized controlled trial of Housing First (immediate access to scattered site housing and mental health support services) compared to treatment as usual for homeless adults with a mental disorder (n = 575). Participants completed the EQ-5D-3L at 6 month intervals. We tested convergent validity, hypothesizing strong correlation (r > 0.6) with the Lehman Quality of Life Interview 20 (QOLI-20) index and moderate correlations (r > 0.3) with the Colorado Symptom Index (CSI), Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), and number of comorbidities. We also examined correlations between EQ-5D-3L scores and the QOLI-20 over time using a linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: The EQ-5D-3L was not strongly correlated with the QOLI-20 (r ranged from 0.31-0.52 at various time points). The EQ-5D-3L was moderately correlated with the CSI, RAS, and number of comorbidities. The Snijders/Bosker r2 for longitudinal validity between the EQ-5D-3L and QOLI-20 within subjects over time was 0.2094 (square-root r = 0.4576). CONCLUSIONS: The EQ-5D-3L did not demonstrate strong convergent validity in homeless people with mental illness but was moderately correlated with several instruments. Further research is warranted to determine the optimal method for measuring health utilities in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomised Control Trial Registry ISRCTN42520374 assigned on August 18, 2009.

Global Burden of Disease Study trends for Canada from 1990 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: The Global Burden of Disease Study represents a large and systematic effort to describe the burden of diseases and injuries over the past 3 decades. We aimed to summarize the Canadian data on burden of diseases and injuries. METHODS: We summarized data from the 2016 iteration of the Global Burden of Disease Study to provide current (2016) and historical estimates for all-cause and cause-specific diseases and injuries using mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability and disability-adjusted life years in Canada. We also compared changes in life expectancy and health-adjusted life expectancy between Canada and 21 countries with a high sociodemographic index. RESULTS: In 2016, leading causes of all-age disability-adjusted life years were neoplasms, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and mental and substance use disorders, which together accounted for about 56% of disability-adjusted life years. Between 2006 and 2016, the rate of all-cause age-standardized years of life lost declined by 12%, while the rate of all-cause age-standardized years lived with disability remained relatively stable (+1%), and the rate of all-cause age-standardized disability-adjusted life year declined by 5%. In 2016, Canada aligned with countries that have a similar high sociodemographic index in terms of life expectancy (82 yr) and health-adjusted life expectancy (71 yr). INTERPRETATION: The patterns of mortality and morbidity in Canada reflect an aging population and improving patterns of population health. If current trends continue, Canada will continue to face challenges of increasing population morbidity and disability alongside decreasing premature mortality.

An Observational Study of Suicide Death in Homeless and Precariously Housed People in Toronto.

OBJECTIVE: Homelessness has been identified as an important risk factor for suicide death, but there is limited research characterising homeless people who die by suicide. The goal of this study is to identify personal, clinical, and suicide method-related factors that distinguish homeless and precariously housed people who die from suicide from those who are not homeless at the time of suicide. METHODS: Coroner records were reviewed for all suicide deaths in Toronto from 1998 to 2012. Data abstracted included housing status as well as other demographics, clinical variables such as the presence of mental illness, and suicide method. RESULTS: Of 3319 suicide deaths, 60 (1.8%) were homeless and 230 (6.9%) were precariously housed. Homeless and precariously housed people were each younger than nonhomeless people ( P < 0.0001). Compared with nonhomeless, homeless people were more likely to be male and less likely to be married, to have interpersonal conflict, or to leave a suicide note. Homeless people and precariously housed were more likely to have died by fall/jump than nonhomeless people (62%, 57%, and 29%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Homeless and precariously housed people are overrepresented among suicide deaths in a large urban center and differ demographically, clinically, and in their suicide method from nonhomeless people who die by suicide. Targeted suicide prevention strategies should aim to address factors specific to homeless people.

Remodeling Broken Systems: Addressing the National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

A national emergency in child and adolescent mental health was declared in the United States in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Open Forum discusses potential solutions to better support child and adolescent mental health by improving or expanding school-based mental health services, child psychiatry access programs, virtual mental health services, and new models of care (e.g., integrated youth services hubs and crisis stabilization units). The success of such programs is dependent on stable funding, strong leadership and accountability, robust and well-trained workforces, systems integration, and attention to health equity.

Mental Health Service Use Before First Diagnosis of a Psychotic Disorder.

Importance: Characterizing mental health service use trajectories preceding diagnosis of a psychotic disorder may help identify individuals at highest risk and in which settings they are at highest risk. Objective: To examine mental health service use and diagnostic trajectories before first diagnosis of psychotic disorder and identify utilization and diagnostic patterns. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based, retrospective cohort study used linked provincial health administrative data. The sample included individuals aged 15 to 29 years diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in Ontario, Canada, between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2018. These individuals were matched to individuals with a diagnosis of a mood disorder. Data were analyzed from November 2018 to November 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were rates, timing, and setting of mental health-related service use and associated diagnoses in the 3 years before the index disorder among individuals first diagnosed with a psychotic disorder compared with those first diagnosed with a mood disorder. Results: A total of 10 501 individuals with a first diagnosis of psychotic disorder were identified (mean [SD] age, 21.55 [3.83] years; 72.1% male). A total of 72.2% of individuals had at least 1 mental health service visit during the 3 years before their first psychotic disorder diagnosis, which was significantly more than matched controls with a first mood disorder diagnosis (66.8%) (odds ratio [OR], 1.34; 95% CI, 1.26-1.42). Compared with individuals diagnosed with a mood disorder, individuals diagnosed with a psychotic disorder were significantly more likely to have had mental health-related hospital admissions (OR, 3.98; 95% CI, 3.43-4.62) and emergency department visits (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 2.12-2.43) in the preceding 3 years. Those with psychotic disorders were more likely to have had prior diagnoses of substance use disorders (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 2.35-2.81), other disorders (personality disorders, developmental disorders) (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.61-1.90), and self-harm (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.36-1.98) in the past 3 years compared with those diagnosed with mood disorders. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found that in the 3 years prior to an index diagnosis, individuals with a first diagnosis of psychotic disorder had higher rates of mental health service use, particularly emergency department visits and hospitalizations, compared with individuals with a first diagnosis of a mood disorder. Individuals with psychotic disorders also had a greater number of premorbid diagnoses. Differences in health service utilization patterns between those with a first psychotic disorder diagnosis vs a first mood disorder diagnosis suggest distinct premorbid trajectories that could be useful for next steps in prediction and prevention research.

A mixed-methods study to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of delivering the optimal health program (OHP) for youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis: A study protocol.

Individuals with clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis experience significant distress, impaired general functioning and a high lifetime risk of self-harm and attempted suicide. The CHR period is an important phase in an individual's mental health where appropriate interventions may reduce the risk of progression to several negative outcomes, including the development of schizophrenia. Given that up to 80% of individuals with CHR have another diagnosable mental illness and almost half experience poor psychosocial functioning, developing interventions that address psychosocial functioning in young people with CHR is of great importance. This mixed-methods study aims to employ qualitative and quantitative methods to adapt an evidence-based comprehensive psychosocial and mental health self-efficacy program, the Optimal Health Program (OHP), and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary clinical efficacy in young people with CHR. We aim to recruit 30 CHR participants (age 16-29 years) in a single-arm 12-week exploratory clinical trial. Feasibility metrics will include recruitment, retention, and data completion rates. Acceptability will be informed by the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Clinical assessments (psychosis spectrum symptoms, depression, and anxiety), functional measures, and cognitive outcomes will be completed at study entry and repeated post-intervention at 12-weeks. We will run pre-post test data analysis to examine changes following engagement in the OHP intervention. Qualitative interviews will be conducted post-intervention to further evaluate the acceptability of the intervention and the trial design, and will be analyzed using thematic analysis. OHP may enhance the long-term mental health, well-being and functioning of CHR youth. However, the intervention must first be adapted to a CHR population; then, the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of delivering an intervention tailored around the varied needs of the CHR group must be established before a larger-scale appropriately powered study is pursued. Trial registration: The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05757128.

An SMS text messaging intervention to improve clinical engagement in early psychosis: A pilot randomized-controlled trial.

Disengagement of youth with psychosis from Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) services continues to be a significant barrier to recovery, with approximately one-third prematurely discontinuing treatment despite the ongoing need. The current pilot trial sought to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of a weekly short message service (SMS) intervention to improve engagement in EPI services. This was a longitudinal single-blinded randomized control trial in which participants were assigned to receive either an active or sham SMS intervention over nine months. Sixty-one participants with early psychosis between the ages of 16 and 29 were enrolled, randomized, and received at least part of the intervention. Primary outcomes consisted of participant clinic attendance rates over the course of the intervention and clinician-rated engagement. Secondary measures included patient-rated therapeutic rapport, attitude toward medication, psychopathology, cognition, functioning, and intervention feedback from participants. Compared to the sham group, participants receiving the active intervention did not show improved appointment attendance rates; however, did exhibit some improvements in aspects of engagement, including improved clinician-rated availability, attitude toward medication, positive symptoms, avolition-apathy and social functioning. Thus, contrary to our hypotheses, digitally augmented care did not result in enhanced engagement in EPI services, as measured by clinic attendance, although with some indication that it may contribute to improved attitude toward medication and, potentially, medication adherence. Weekly SMS text messaging appeared to result in a pattern of engagement whereby individuals who were improving clinically attended appointments less often, possibly due to inadvertent use of the intervention to check in with clinicians. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04379349).

Understanding attitudes and beliefs regarding COVID-19 vaccines among transitional-aged youth with mental health concerns: a youth-led qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Transitional-aged youth (16-29 years) with mental health concerns have experienced a disproportionate burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination is limited in this population; however, determinants of its vaccine hesitancy are not yet thoroughly characterised. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to answer the following research question: What are the beliefs and attitudes of youth with mental illness about COVID-19 vaccines, and how do these perspectives affect vaccine acceptance? The study aims to generate findings to inform the development of vaccine resources specific to youth with mental health concerns. METHODS: A qualitative methodology with a youth engagement focus was used to conduct in-depth semistructured interviews with transitional-aged youth aged 16-29 years with one or more self-reported mental health diagnoses or concerns. Mental health concerns encompassed a wide range of symptoms and diagnoses, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and personality disorders. Participants were recruited from seven main mental health clinical and support networks across Canada. Transcripts from 46 youth and 6 family member interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Two major themes were generated: (1) factors affecting trust in COVID-19 vaccines and (2) mental health influences and safety considerations in vaccine decision-making. Subthemes included trust in vaccines, trust in healthcare providers, trust in government and mistreatment towards racialised populations, and direct and indirect influences of mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests how lived experiences of mental illness affected vaccine decision-making and related factors that can be targeted to increase vaccine uptake. Our findings provide new insights into vaccine attitudes among youth with mental health concerns, which is highly relevant to ongoing vaccination efforts for new COVID-19 strains as well as other transmissible diseases and future pandemics. Next steps include cocreating youth-specific public health and clinical resources to encourage vaccination in this population.

Service restrictions from emergency shelters among people experiencing homelessness: Uncovering pathways into unsheltered homelessness and institutional circuitry.

Service restrictions refer to temporary or permanent bans of individuals from a program or an organization's services, and are widely used in emergency shelter systems. Limited research exists on how service restrictions unfold and their impacts on people experiencing homelessness. This qualitative study used in-depth interviews with timeline mapping to examine the antecedents and consequences of service restrictions from emergency shelters among people experiencing homelessness in two cities in Ontario, Canada. A total of 49 people experiencing homelessness who had been restricted from an emergency shelter program in the past year were recruited and included in the study analysis. A pragmatic and integrative approach was used for data analysis that involved the development of meta-matrices to identify prominent and divergent perspectives and experiences with regard to service restriction antecedents and consequences. Study findings underscored that service restrictions were often the result of violence and aggression, primarily between service users. There were regional differences in other service restriction reasons, including substance use and possession. Service restrictions affected the shelter status of almost all participants, with many subsequently experiencing unsheltered homelessness, and cycling through institutional health, social, and criminal justice services (i.e., institutional circuitry). Other health and social consequences included substance use relapses and hospitalizations; cold-related injuries due to post-restriction unsheltered homelessness; suicidality; food insecurity; diminished contact with support network and connections; and intense feelings of anger, fear, and hopelessness. Overall, the study findings advance our understanding of the role of homeless services in pathways into unsheltered homelessness and institutional circuitry, which raise critical questions about how to mitigate the harms associated with service restrictions, while concurrently facilitating safety and upholding the rights of people experiencing homelessness and emergency shelter staff.

The Need to Adapt the Psychiatric Clinical Assessment to the Digital Age: A Practical Approach.

The use of electronic devices and social media is becoming a ubiquitous part of most people's lives. Although researchers are exploring the sequelae of such use, little attention has been given to the importance of digital media use in routine psychiatric assessments of patients. The nature of technology use is relevant to understanding a patient's lifestyle and activities, the same way that it is important to evaluate the patient's occupation, functioning, and general activities. The authors propose a framework for psychiatric inquiry into digital media use, emphasizing that such inquiry should focus on quality of use, including emotional and behavioral consequences, rather than simply the amount of use.

The Toronto Adolescent and Youth Cohort Study: Study Design and Early Data Related to Psychosis Spectrum Symptoms, Functioning, and Suicidality.

BACKGROUND: Psychosis spectrum symptoms (PSSs) occur in a sizable percentage of youth and are associated with poorer cognitive performance, poorer functioning, and suicidality (i.e., suicidal thoughts and behaviors). PSSs may occur more frequently in youths already experiencing another mental illness, but the antecedents are not well known. The Toronto Adolescent and Youth (TAY) Cohort Study aims to characterize developmental trajectories in youths with mental illness and understand associations with PSSs, functioning, and suicidality. METHODS: The TAY Cohort Study is a longitudinal cohort study that aims to assess 1500 youths (age 11-24 years) presenting to tertiary care. In this article, we describe the extensive diagnostic and clinical characterization of psychopathology, substance use, functioning, suicidality, and health service utilization in these youths, with follow-up every 6 months over 5 years, including early baseline data. RESULTS: A total of 417 participants were enrolled between May 4, 2021, and February 2, 2023. Participants met diagnostic criteria for an average of 3.5 psychiatric diagnoses, most frequently anxiety and depressive disorders. Forty-nine percent of participants met a pre-established threshold for PSSs and exhibited higher rates of functional impairment, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and suicidality than participants without PSSs. CONCLUSIONS: Initial findings from the TAY Cohort Study demonstrate the feasibility of extensive clinical phenotyping in youths who are seeking help for mental health problems. PSS prevalence is much higher than in community-based studies. Our early data support the critical need to better understand longitudinal trajectories of clinical youth cohorts in relation to psychosis risk, functioning, and suicidality.

Cognition and Educational Achievement in the Toronto Adolescent and Youth Cohort Study: Rationale, Methods, and Early Data.

BACKGROUND: Both cognition and educational achievement in youths are linked to psychosis risk. One major aim of the Toronto Adolescent and Youth (TAY) Cohort Study is to characterize how cognitive and educational achievement trajectories inform the course of psychosis spectrum symptoms (PSSs), functioning, and suicidality. Here, we describe the protocol for the cognitive and educational data and early baseline data. METHODS: The cognitive assessment design is consistent with youth population cohort studies, including the NIH Toolbox, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Wechsler Matrix Reasoning Task, and Little Man Task. Participants complete an educational achievement questionnaire, and report cards are requested. Completion rates, descriptive data, and differences across PSS status are reported for the first participants (N = 417) ages 11 to 24 years, who were recruited between May 4, 2021, and February 2, 2023. RESULTS: Nearly 84% of the sample completed cognitive testing, and 88.2% completed the educational questionnaire, whereas report cards were collected for only 40.3%. Modifications to workflows were implemented to improve data collection. Participants who met criteria for PSSs demonstrated lower performance than those who did not on numerous key cognitive indices (p < .05) and also had more academic/educational problems. CONCLUSIONS: Following youths longitudinally enabled trajectory mapping and prediction based on cognitive and educational performance in relation to PSSs in treatment-seeking youths. Youths with PSSs had lower cognitive performance and worse educational outcomes than youths without PSSs. Results show the feasibility of collecting data on cognitive and educational outcomes in a cohort of youths seeking treatment related to mental illness and substance use.