Coping as a mediator of stress and psychotic-like experiences

There is evidence that individuals along the whole psychosis continuum have increased responsiveness to stress; however, coping responses to stressors have not been extensively explored in subthreshold psychotic symptoms.

In 454 undergraduates, psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) were evaluated using the positive items of the Prodromal Questionnaire. Perceived stress and traumatic life events were assessed using the Life Events Checklist and Perceived Stress Scale, and coping was measured using the Brief COPE. We also examined whether different coping styles mediated the relationship between perceived stress and PLEs, as well as whether different coping styles mediated the relationship between traumatic life events and PLEs.

Both number of traumatic life events and current level of perceived stress were significantly associated with PLEs. These relationships were both mediated by higher levels of maladaptive coping.

Results have the potential to inform treatment strategies, as well as inform targets for exploration in longitudinal studies of those at risk for psychosis.