Methods: This study compares the effectiveness of the long-acting route of medication to improve adherence and reduce relapse among patients who have been recently diagnosed with schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder. After patients are stabilized with an atypical antipsychotic and have received patient and family psychoeducation, consenting patients will be randomized to a prospective, random-assignment open-label study comparing any available first-line oral atypical antipsychotic to long-acting risperidone for the maintenance treatment of patients recovering from acute treatment of first-episode schizophrenia.