Elevated prodromal psychotic symptoms lead to impaired social functioning via loneliness: A longitudinal mediation study

The results suggest that prodromal psychotic symptoms and distress about symptoms lead to impairments in social functioning via loneliness but not vice versa. These results suggest the need for preventative strategies to target loneliness which could prevent subsequent exacerbation of social functioning deficits. Future studies need to examine loneliness as a mechanism in the relationship between prodromal psychotic symptoms and social functioning across cultures, age groups, and over longer time periods.