Beliefs and concerns about pain were associated with craniofacial pain experienced within 24 hours: cross-sectional study / Crenças e preocupações sobre a dor têm associação à dor craniofacial experimentada nas últimas 24 horas: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although craniofacial pain has been associated with negative psychological aspects, how the patient's perception of their own illness could influence craniofacial pain is not elucidated yet. Therefore, this study aims to identify the main factors and beliefs about the illness that could influence pain intensity and pain duration in people who experienced craniofacial pain in the last 24 hours. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised undergraduate students, aged between 18 and 40 years old, who experienced self-reported craniofacial pain in the last 24 hours. Participants answered questions regarding body functions, activities and participation, and personal factors based on the International Classification of Functioning (ICF); In addition, questions from the Brief Illness Perceptual Questionnaire (Brief IPQ) were applied. The analysis was carried out with a single and multiple regression model. RESULTS: The sample comprised 87 volunteers. Pain intensity and duration experienced in the last 24 hours were associate by concerns about the presence of an illness and the need for treatment. Pain intensity was specifically associated with the importance of treatment and the extent to which the patient is concerned about their pain (R2=0.108). Pain duration was associated with how much the individual is worried about their illness (R2=0.1459). CONCLUSION: Both pain intensity and duration experienced in the last 24 hours are associated with concerns regarding the presence of an illness and beliefs related to such illness treatment, which reinforces the influence of psychosocial aspects on pain perception.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Embora a dor craniofacial seja associada a aspectos psicológicos negativos, ainda não está totalmente elucidado como a percepção do paciente sobre sua própria doença pode influenciá-la. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo identificar os principais fatores e as crenças sobre a doença que podem influenciar a intensidade e a duração da dor em pessoas que sentiram dor craniofacial nas últimas 24 horas. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal composto por universitários, com idade entre 18 e 40 anos, que relataram dor craniofacial nas últimas 24 horas. Os voluntários responderam a perguntas sobre funções corporais, atividades e participação e fatores pessoais com base na classificação da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidades (CIF). Além disso, foram aplicadas questões do Questionário de Percepção de Doenças Versão Breve (Brief IPQ). A análise foi realizada com um modelo de regressão simples e múltiplo. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta por 87 voluntários. A intensidade e a duração da dor sentida nas últimas 24 horas foram influenciadas pela preocupação com a presença de doença e com a necessidade de tratamento. A intensidade da dor foi associada à importância do tratamento e à preocupação do paciente com sua dor (R2=0,108). A duração da dor associou-se à preocupação do indivíduo com sua doença (R2=0,1459). CONCLUSÃO: Tanto a intensidade quanto a duração da dor vivenciadas nas últimas 24 horas são influenciadas pela preocupação com a presença de doença e crenças relacionadas ao seu tratamento, o que reforça a influência dos aspectos psicossociais na percepção da dor.

Particularidades del funcionamiento afectivo-motivacional de pacientes prediabéticos / Particularities of the motivational and affective functioning in prediabetic patients

Introducción: La prevención en el progreso de la prediabetes hacia la diabetes, debe hacerse desde un enfoque holístico y considerar el funcionamiento afectivo - motivacional de quienes la padecen. Objetivo: Determinar las particularidades del funcionamiento afectivo - motivacional de pacientes prediabéticos. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio exploratorio descriptivo con metodología mixta, se integraron los análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo; la muestra quedó conformada por 10 sujetos prediabéticos. Para la pesquisa se realizó el análisis psicológico de los pacientes, según su historia clínica y se aplicaron el Registro de la Actividad. Método Directo e Indirecto (RAMDI), la Escala Dembo-Rubinstein, las Técnicas de Completamiento de Frases y de Composición, así como la entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: Los sujetos prediabéticos no se reconocen como enfermos, no valoran los riesgos que contraen por esa condición y no se comprometen con un cambio de estilo de vida. Conclusiones: En los pacientes prediabéticos la categoría salud no es un motivo rector que oriente y regule su conducta de modo estable; predominó la actitud de «no aceptación de la enfermedad», con una marcada tendencia a la autovaloración inadecuada que limita la responsabilidad personal ante la condición mórbida.

Introduction: the prevention of the progression from prediabetes to diabetes must be done from a holistic approach considering the motivational and affective functioning of the patients who suffer from this condition. Objective: to determine the particularities of the motivational and affective functioning of prediabetic patients. Methods: a descriptive exploratory study was carried out with a mixed-method research where quantitative and qualitative analyzes were integrated; the sample was made up of 10 prediabetic subjects. A psychological assessment was made based on their clinical history and the Register of the Activity. Direct and Indirect Method (RAMDI in Spanish), the Dembo-Rubinstein Scale, the Sentence Completion and the Composition Techniques, as well as the semi-structured interview were applied for screening. Results: the prediabetic subjects do not recognize themselves as sick, do not value the risks they incur with their condition, and do not commit to a lifestyle change. Conclusions: health category in prediabetic patients is not a guiding motive that guides and regulates their behaviour in a stable way; a predominance of an attitude of "non-acceptance of the disease", with a marked tendency to inadequate self-assessment that limited personal responsibility for the morbid condition.

Aerobic activity reducing depression in school-age children: a multiple mediation effects analysis based on five dimensions of psychosocial functioning / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of aerobic capacity on depression in school-age children, and the multiple mediators of the five dimensions of psychosocial functioning (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, peer problems, prosocial behavior and hyperactivity) between aerobic capacity and depression. MethodsFrom October to December, 2021, pupils of Grade two to Grade five from two primary schools were chester-sampled and investigated using 20-meter multistage shuttle run test, Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children, Self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. ResultsA total of 391 pupils underwent 20-meter multistage shuttle run test, and 312 out of them answering the questionnaires, and 294 questionnaires were valid. Aerobic capacity, depression, emotional symptoms, peer problems, prosocial behavior and hyperactivity were significantly correlated with each other (|r| > 0.127, P < 0.05) (except aerobic capacity and peer problems, and emotional symptoms and prosocial behavior). The results of the multiple mediation effect model showed that aerobic capacity could directly and negatively predict depression, and the mediating effects of emotional symptoms, peer problems, prosocial behavior and hyperactivity were significant, accounting for 34.37%, 12.54%, 34.06% and 17.80% of the total mediating effect, respectively. ConclusionThe aerobic capacity could not only directly affect depression of school-age children, but also improve their psychosocial functioning by reducing emotional symptoms, peer problems and hyperactivity, and increasing prosocial behavior, to indirectly affect their depression.

Stages of recovery from depression in relation to clinical outcomes and consumer recovery processes

Background: Research on consumer-defined recovery from mental illness has been critiqued for a lack of quantitative evidence and conceptual clarity that has impeded further development of recovery-oriented services. This is especially true when it comes to models of the stages of recovery from mental illness. Qualitative studies have produced 20 distinct stage models with significant similarities but limited quantitative validation. The present study tests the convergent validity of one promising model in relation to psychosocial functioning, depression symptoms, and the processes that are thought to underpin consumer-defined recovery.Methods: Eighty-eight patients with depressive symptoms were recruited. Patient-rated and clinician-rated measures were used to assess participants’ current stage of recovery, depressive symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and their level of attainment on the processes of recovery.Results: Higher stages of recovery were associated with better depression symptoms, participant and clinician rated functioning, and several recovery processes that were repeatedly identified by past research. The effect sizes were consistently large.Conclusions: Evidence of convergent validity was found for the model under study. Together with previous research, results suggest that the model may be a promising description of the recovery process and could inform the development of recovery-oriented services.

Influencing factors of the recovery of psychosocial functioning with depressed patients / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder with high prevalence,morbidity and recurrence rate.The treatment goal of acute stage is to achieve remission,which means asymptomatic.However,clinical treatments and studies found impairment of psychosocial functioning still exists even after remission,which means incomplete recovery.As is known,the normalization of psychosocial functioning is essential to the recovery and the recurrence prevention of MDD.In order to provide reference and guidance for the clinical treatments and studies,we reviewed the related studies and found many kinds of factors influencing the restoration of psychosocial functioning,including demographic factors,diseases related factors,psychological factors,social factors and therapeutic approaches.However,few interior studies focused on the recovery of MDD,and the results of foreign studies were inconsistent,while the understanding of how those factors influence the recovery of MDD is not clear enough.In order to make the characteristics of psychosocial functioning recovery and mechanisms of the influencing factors clear,more in-depth studies should be done in the future.

Emotion regulation and Residual Depression Predict Psychosocial Functioning in Bipolar Disorder: Preliminary Study / Regulación de las emociones y la depresión residual predicen el funcionamiento psicosocial en el trastorno bipolar: estudio preliminar

This study explores the predictive value of various clinical, neuropsychological, functional, and emotion regulation processes for recovery in Bipolar Disorder. Clinical and demographic information was collected for 27 euthymic or residually depressed BD participants. Seventy one percent of the sample reported some degree of impairment in psychosocial functioning. Both residual depression and problems with emotion regulation were identified as significant predictors of poor psychosocial functioning. In addition, to residual depression, the results of the current study introduce a variable of emotion dysregulation to account for poor psychosocial functioning among BD populations. Improving emotion regulation strategies, in particular, concentration and task accomplishment during negative emotional states could have important consequences for improving overall psychosocial functioning among this population, helping to reduce both the economic burden and high costs to personal wellbeing associated with BD.

Este estudio explora el valor predictivo de los diversos procesos de regulación clínicos, neuropsicológicos, funcionales y emocionales para la recuperación en el Trastorno Bipolar. La información clínica y demográfica se recogió de 27 participantes de TB eutímicos o residualmente deprimidos. Setenta y uno por ciento de la muestra reportó algún grado de deterioro en el funcionamiento psicosocial. Tanto la depresión residual y problemas con la regulación de las emociones fueron identificados como predictores significativos de mal funcionamiento psicosocial. Además de la depresión residual, los resultados del presente estudio introducen una variable de disregulación emocional para dar cuenta del pobre funcionamiento psicosocial en las poblaciones de TB. La mejora de las estrategias de regulación emocional, en particular, la concentración y la realización de tareas durante los estados emocionales negativos podrían tener consecuencias importantes para mejorar el funcionamiento psicosocial global en esta población ayudando a reducir tanto la carga económica y los altos costos para el bienestar personal asociado con TB.

Organización vital de una muestra clínica que demanda atención psicológica / Life Functioning among a Clinical Sample Demanding Psychological Treatment

La asociación entre trastornos psicopatológicos y variables de funcionamiento psicosocial ha sido documentada, pero son escasos los estudios que evalúan su impacto sobre la eficacia de los tratamientos psicológicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la organización vital de 78 pacientes de un servicio de atención psicológica y examinar la relación con variables clínicas y con el éxito del tratamiento. Esta organización se evaluó mediante una escala confeccionada ad hoc para este estudio. El área de pareja resultó la menos organizada frente a la familiar y personal, con las mayores puntuaciones. La organización vital se relacionó de forma significativa con distintos ejes del DSM-IV-TR. Se confirmó que pacientes con baja organización vital requieren un mayor número de objetivos terapéuticos.

The association between psychological disorders and psychosocial functioning variables has been previously documented, but relatively few studies have examined the impact of these variables on psychological treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the life functioning of 78 patients from a psychological service centre, and to examine its relationship with clinical variables and treatment success. Life functioning was evaluated with a scale elaborated ad hoc for this study. The partner area of functioning was the most impaired while family and personal areas obtained the highest functioning scores. Patient's life functioning was significantly associated with several axis of DSM-IV-TR. It was confirmed that patients with poorer life functioning required a greater number of treatment objectives.

Oxidative stress markers, cognitive functions, and psychosocial functioning in bipolar disorder: an empirical cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress markers and cognitive functions and domains of psychosocial functioning in bipolar disorder. Methods: Oxidative stress markers, cognitive functions, and domains of psychosocial functioning were evaluated in 51 patients with bipolar disorder who were in remission. Correlation analyses between these parameters were calculated with data controlled for duration of illness and number of episodes. Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between oxidative stress markers and cognitive functions. In terms of psychosocial functioning, significant correlations were found between malondialdehyde and sense of stigmatization (r = -0.502); household activities and superoxide dismutase (r = 0.501); participation in social activities and nitric oxide (r = 0.414); hobbies and leisure time activities and total glutathione (r = -0.567), superoxide dismutase (r = 0.667), and neurotrophin 4 (r = 0.450); and taking initiative and self-sufficiency and superoxide dismutase (r = 0.597). There was no correlation between other domains of psychosocial functioning and oxidative stress markers. Conclusion: These results imply that oxidative stress markers do not appear to correlate clearly with cognitive impairment and reduced psychosocial functioning. However, there were some associations between selected oxidative markers and activity-oriented functional markers. This may represent a true negative association, or may be an artifact of oxidative stress being a state rather than a trait marker. .

Remisión sintomática y recuperación funcional en pacientes que padecen esquizofrenia / Symptomatic remission and recovery in patients with schizophrenia

A recently proposed definition for remission and recovery in schizophrenia is receiving increased attention by clinicians and researchers. The interest on these issues is based on the recent proposed definition for symptomatic remission, and the development of operational criteria for its assessment, by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG), in the United States, in 2005. Remission is assessed using eight items of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), all of which have to be scored with a symptom severity of <3 points (mild or better), sustained for a minimum duration of six months. In Europe, since 2006, proposed definition criteria about response and remission were introduced. Response can be assessed, with the PANSS, using a cut-off of at least 50% reduction of the baseline score for the acutely ill, and a cut-off of at least of 25% reduction for refractory patients. Remission could be assessed using a formula for calculating percentage PANSS reduction from baseline. Definition criteria have also been introduced to assess functional recovery that includes the combination of clinical and social outcomes for two consecutive years, including dimensions such as psychosocial functioning, cognition, and quality of life. The purpose of this review is to examine existing research on symptomatic remission and functional recovery in schizophrenia. We included clinical and epidemiological studies, reviews and meta-analyses published between January 1970 and July 2013. Sixty two studies on remission and recovery were included, with a total of 94 940 patients, comprising six months to 37 years follow-up. Thirty two studies on functional recovery were included, with a total of 6 483 patients with a range of six months to 42 years follow-up. Research indicates that symptomatic remission can be achieved in 20-97%, and functional recovery in 10-68% of people with schizophrenia. The use of remission and recovery criteria has ...

Recientemente los conceptos de remisión sintomática y recuperación funcional en los pacientes que padecen esquizofrenia han recibido una considerable atención por parte de los clínicos y los investigadores. El interés en estos aspectos tiene que ver con la propuesta realizada en el 2005 por el "Grupo de trabajo para evaluar la remisión en esquizofrenia", con el objetivo de proponer una definición de remisión sintomática, así como el desarrollo de criterios operacionales para su evaluación. La remisión sintomática se evalúa utilizando ocho reactivos de la escala PANSS, los cuales deben puntuar tres o menos, con una duración mínima de seis meses de remisión. En Europa, desde el 2006, también se han propuesto criterios para evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento, así como la remisión sintomática. La remisión se puede evaluar usando una fórmula para calcular el porcentaje de reducción de síntomas desde el inicio del tratamiento de acuerdo al PANSS. También se han desarrollado criterios para evaluar la recuperación funcional que incluyen la combinación de aspectos clínicos y psicosociales, que se deben mantener por lo menos por dos años consecutivos, incluyendo dimensiones como el funcionamiento psicosocial, el funcionamiento cognitivo y la calidad de vida. En el presente artículo se revisa la investigación respecto a los conceptos de remisión sintomática y recuperación funcional en los pacientes afectados por esta patología, incluyendo estudios clínicos, epidemiológicos, estudios de revisión y meta-análisis publicados entre enero de 1970 a julio de 2013. Se incluyeron 62 estudios sobre remisión sintomática/recuperación funcional, con un total de 94 940 pacientes, con un seguimiento de seis meses a 37 años. También se incluyeron 32 estudios de recuperación funcional, con un total de 6 483 pacientes, con un seguimiento de dos a 42 años. Los resultados indican que entre el 20 y el 97% de los pacientes pueden lograr la remisión sintomática, mientras que entre el 10 y el 68% alcanzan la recuperación funcional. Se ha recomendado el uso de estos criterios en la práctica clínica y en la investigación científica.

Efficacy of psychoeducation in bipolar patients: systematic review of randomized trials

Bipolar disorder is a recurrent and chronic disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, pharmacological treatment is considered indispensable in bipolar disorder. However, despite advances in this area, treatment remains suboptimal. A large body of research has shown that innumerable psychosocial factors influence the emergence of mood disorders. Therefore, in addition to pharmacological strategies, psychological interventions are increasingly recognized as an essential component in the treatment of bipolar patients. Among the various approaches of psychosocial interventions, psychoeducation (PE) has been one of the most used. Thus, the aim of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of PE in the clinical course, treatment adherence, and psychosocial functioning of bipolar patients by collecting data from controlled trials that used solely PE as a psychosocial approach. A systematic review of the literature was performed in the PubMed and SCOPUS databases, without date limits, using the following keywords: Psychoeducation and Bipolar disorder. We found 13 randomized controlled trials. Psychoeducation significantly improved the clinical course, treatment adherence, and psychosocial functioning of bipolar patients. It also reduced the number of relapses and recurrences per patient and increased the time to depressive, manic, hypomanic, and mixed recurrences. The number and length of hospitalizations per patient were also lower in patients who received PE. Although we found a limited number of randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of PE in bipolar disorder, the studies showed positive results in reducing relapse rates and improving long-term treatment adherence. Additionally, PE intervention improves the knowledge of the illness for both patients and caregivers to reduce their distress and improve overall social functioning.

Funcionamiento psicosocial en los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: Ansiedad social, alexitimia y falta de asertividad / Psychosocial functioning in eating disorders: Social anxiety, alexithymia and lack of assertiveness

Existe una gran cantidad de información concluyente sobre el déficit del funcionamiento psicosocial en las pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Objetivo: Describir la evidencia acerca de la influencia de la ansiedad social, la alexitimia y la falta de asertividad como factores predisponentes, desencadenantes y perpetuantes de la sintomatología de los TCA y el deterioro de las conductas y/o actitudes sociales de pacientes portadoras de anorexia nerviosa y/o bulimia nerviosa. Método: Revisión exhaustiva de la literatura especializada nacional e internacional. Resultados: La ansiedad social que puede manifestarse como fobia social (evitación del contacto interpersonal), la alexitimia (dificultad para identificar y/o expresar sentimientos y sensaciones) que puede asociarse principalmente a la depresión y la falta de asertividad (discapacidad en la competencia social para confrontar los eventos comunicacionales) alcanzan cifras de prevalencia significativamente más altas en las pacientes alimentarias comparadas con sujetos controles. Conclusiones: La evidencia apoya la interferencia significativa en las habilidades sociales, en el manejo terapéutico y en el desenlace de las pacientes con TCA relacionada con estas comorbilidades. Es imperativo su identificación y abordaje clínico precoz para prevenir la aparición de los TCA.

There is a great conclusive amount of information about the deficit of psychosocial functioning in eating disordered patients. Objective: To describe the evidence on the influence of social anxiety, alexithymia and lack of assertiveness as predisposing, triggering and perpetuating factors of eating disorders (ED) symptomatology and the impairment of social behaviors and/or attitudes in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa. Method: An exhaustive review of the national and international specialized literature was made. Results: Social anxiety that may become a social phobia (avoidance of interpersonal contact), alexithymia (difficulty to identify and/or express feelings and sensations) that may be associated to depression and lack of assertiveness (discapacity in social competence to confront communicational events) reach significatively higher prevalence rates in eating disordered patients compared to control subjects. Conclusions: The evidence supports the significant interference in social skills, in the therapeutic management and in the outcome of eating disordered patients related to these comorbidities. It is imperative its early identification and clinical approach in order to prevent the emergence of ED.

Evaluación psicosocial de epilépticos en el nivel primario de atención de salud / Psychosocial evaluation of epileptic patients in primary health care

A number of risk factors have been mentioned, in epileptic patients, as determinants of both the development of psychopathological disorders, and the prognosis of the seizure disorders itself. These factors include: age of onset of epilepsy, seizure type, coexistence of more than one type of seizure, secondary effects of anticonvulsants, presence of organic brain damage, hereditary forms of epilepsy, and environmental factors. Psychosocial evaluation may report the level of social adjustment in epileptic patients. In this paper we report the assessment of psychosocial functioning in a group of epileptic patients referred from public primary health care. Patients were assessed using the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI), a tool specifically tailored for the evaluation of epileptic patients. The use of WPSI showed that patients attending public primary health care facilities present a wide range of psychosocial disorders, comparable to patients coming from the, also public, Psychiatric Institute of Santiago, and with patients coming from lower class attending the Chilean League Against Epilepsy. No significant differences were found among these groups. Belonging to lower class seems to play an important role in psychosocial functioning in epileptic patients.

Diversos factores de riesgo han sido señalados en la aparición de psicopatología y evolución desfavorable en la epilepsia. Como tales se incluyen la edad de comienzo de la enfremedad, el tipo de crisis, la presencia simultánea de diversos tipos de crisis, el daño orgánico cerebral, el uso de fármacos con efectos laterales deletéreos, la presencia de crisis hereditarias de mal pronóstico, a los que deben agregarse los factores ambientales. La evaluación del desempeño psicosocial de los sujetos con epilepsia proporciona información acerca de la influencia de estos factores en la adaptación social de los individuos portadores de esta enfermedad. Con la finalidad de obtener un perfil en la adaptación al medio social de los consultantes en el nivel primario de atención de salud se aplicó a un grupo de ellos el Inventario Psicosocial de Crisis de Washington, test específicamente diseñado para sujetos con epilepsia. Los resultados obtenidos señalan una deficiente adaptación de estos pacientes, mostrando cifras similares con aquellos provenientes de otro servicio estatal como el Instituto Psiquiátrico de Santiago y con los pertenecientes a estratos socioeconómicos bajos. Esta última variable impresiona jugar un rol de relevancia en los sujetos portadores de epilepsia.

Funcionamiento psicosocial de pacientes esquizofrénicos de acuerdo con su consumo de alcohol

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Summary Background: Between 1% and 1.5% of the world population is affected by schizophrenia. In Mexico, it has been estimated that between 619,550 and 1,239,101 (1-2%) individuals suffered from schizophrenia in 2000. The condition is more common among male teenagers and young adults. The main features of schizophrenia are the positive and negative symptoms closely associated with a psychosocial functioning impairment. In addition, between 25% and 80% of the psychiatric population uses addictive substances, with alcohol, at 50%, being one of the most highly used. These substances use is closely associated with a poor psychosocial functioning; when alcohol use is accompanied by schizophrenia, psychosocial functioning is even more disrupted. In the last few years, it has been shown that an early reinsertion of schizophrenic individuals into their social and familial environment causes a lesser degree of impairment in their psychosocial functioning. This functioning is evaluated through the acquisition of new skills to move about in familial, social and work environments. The latter is called psychosocial treatment. In this sense, psychosocial functioning is described as each individual's ability to adapt, function, move about and interact in a social and personal environment. This functioning evaluates the social, occupational, economic, sexual and familial areas. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the association between schizophrenic patients' psychosocial functioning according to their alcohol use and the severity of schizophrenia. Methodology: Eighty schizophrenic, psychiatrically stable, subjects were selected during a 14-month period of time. All of them were submitted only once to the Psychosocial Functioning Scale (PFS), the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). These scales were used in order to confirm the schizophrenia diagnostic and its severity, to measure the psychosocial functioning of this population, to identify early on problems related to alcohol use and to perform an alcohol use/dependency diagnostic on those individuals who met such diagnostic criteria. A Chi squared, Mann-Whitney's U, the t test, Kruskal-Wallis and the one-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis purposes. Results: Seventy-one percent of the subjects were males and 29% females; 87% were single and 70% were unemployed or had an informal job. Thirty-one years was the average age among males and 34 among females. Subjects started suffering schizophrenia when they were between 12 and 30 years (average: 23 years; SD: 6.36), and 94% of them started using alcohol while they were at this very same age range (average: 20 years; SD: 4. 98). Seventy-six percent of the subjects presented a schizophrenia evolution of less than ten years. Comparing alcohol use with psychosocial functioning according to the AUDIT, the social and familial were the more affected areas, both of which showed statistically significant differences. As to the period of evolution of schizophrenia and psychosocial functioning, the 16-20 year group was the one which showed less satisfaction. Schizophrenia severity did not show any statistical significance when compared to the type of alcohol use. Conclusion: Results from this research are similar to those from other Mexican and international studies which have found out that schizophrenia onset is more common during teenage, that more men than women are affected by the condition and that most subjects suffer it first when they are between 16 and 25 years. On the other hand, it has been found out that alcohol use is starting at increasingly early ages, with men being the main users. Such an association has lead many researchers to think that schizophrenia onset is highly associated with alcohol use, be it because the negative symptoms of schizophrenia promote the initial use of alcohol or because alcohol use triggers the early onset of schizophrenia. In this study it was not possible to prove such an hypothesis given the reduced number of subjects in the sample. This was not either the main objective of the study and given the fact that some other type of methodology is required to identify such an association. However, it is clear that there is a high non-diagnosed comorbidity between schizophrenia and alcohol use which, as a result, is not treated and translates, ultimately, into a bigger impairment of the psychosocial functioning. Among the scales employed, AUDIT is an excellent screening instrument to detect subjects at risk of becoming alcoholics and to identify incipient alcohol use patterns and the problems associated with it. Thus, it is suggested that it could be used both in first and third level hospitals. Finally, although no statistically significant results were found out in any of the variables, there is enough evidence where the association between schizophrenia and alcohol leads to an accumulated effect influencing the psychosocial functioning impairment. In the light of this, it is suggested that clinicians inquire about alcohol use in patients showing some mental pathology to research more in depth the schizophrenia-alcohol comorbidity phenomenon and its association with psychosocial functioning so as to design adequate prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs for the schizophrenic population.