Social functioning and subclinical psychosis in adolescence: a longitudinal general adolescent population study

M. Heins, R. Achterhof*, D. Collip, W. Viechtbauer, O. J. Kirtley, N. Gunther, J. van Os, F. Feron, I. Myin-Germeys

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Objectives To investigate the longitudinal relationship between subclinical psychotic symptoms and social functioning in a representative general population sample of adolescents. Method Data were derived from a routine general health screening of 1909 adolescents in a circumscribed region. Baseline measurement was in the second grade of secondary school (T0), and follow-up occurred approximately 2 years later (T1). Social functioning and subclinical psychotic symptoms of hallucinations and delusions were assessed at both time points. Results Baseline (T0) social problems preceded follow-up (T1) subclinical delusions, but not T1 subclinical hallucinations. Similarly, T0 delusions preceded social problems at T1, but T0 hallucinations did not. Conclusion This longitudinal general population study demonstrated a bidirectional association between social problems and delusions, but found no link between social problems and hallucinations. This may reflect a downward negative spiral where delusional thoughts and social problems reinforce each other.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)275-282
Number of pages8
JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica
Volume140
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2019

Keywords

  • subclinical psychosis
  • delusions
  • hallucinations
  • social functioning
  • social cognition
  • HIGH-RISK
  • PERSECUTORY DELUSIONS
  • YOUNG-PEOPLE
  • SCHIZOPHRENIA
  • SYMPTOMS
  • COGNITION
  • 1ST-EPISODE
  • DISORDER
  • ASSOCIATION
  • PREDICTORS

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