Effects of Aripiprazole (LAI) on Phychosocial/Cognitive Functioning, pt Reported AcceptabilityofTreatment in Sch

* Inclusion Criteria: * Participants 18-45 of years age fulfilling DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia, * Disease history of ≤ 3 years (≤ 3 years after the emergence of first psychotic symptoms), * A history of symptom exacerbation or relapse when not receiving antipsychotics therefore requiring maintenance antipsychotic treatment, * Informed written consent, * Not on any antipsychotic treatment at least for 3 months or requiring a switch in treatment for any reason (lack of efficacy/ inadequate response to current antipsychotic(s), intolerance, nonadherence), and with the potential to benefit from extended treatment with an LAI formulation, in the investigator's opinion. * Lack of efficacy is defined as subjects with a baseline total PANSS score ≥70 or ≥2 items scoring ≥4 in the Positive or Negative Symptom Subscale * Lack of tolerability is defined as the presence of clinically relevant side effects with the previous antipsychotic medication. * Being literate in order to be able to answer the self report scales. * Exclusion Criteria: * DSM-IV-TR diagnosis other than schizophrenia or experiencing acute depressive symptoms in the past 30 days requiring ADT depending on the clinical decision of the investigator. * Antipsychotic resistant or refractory schizophrenia * A history of failure to clozapine treatment or response to clozapine treatment only. * Significant risk of violent behavior or risk of self-harm * Currently meets DSM-IV-TR criteria for alcohol and substance dependence * Any clinically significant medical or neurological disorder * Any medically significant abnormal laboratory test or ECG result at screening * Pregnant, lactating.