Early persistence of psychotic-like experiences in a community sample of adolescents

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are common in adolescents. Their persistence may confer increased susceptibility to psychotic disorder. The early evolution of transient to persistent PLEs is not well known. This study aimed to investigate the early persistence of PLEs (over 6-12 months) in a community sample of adolescents and examine baseline and longitudinal associations of early persistent PLEs.

Five hundred and ninety Year 10 students were administered the community assessment of psychic experiences (CAPE) to measure PLEs at baseline and at follow up 6-12 months later. Persistent PLEs were defined as those present at or above the 90th centile at both time points. Independent variables of depression, psychological distress and functioning were all measured at both baseline and follow up. Self-esteem, personality and suicidality were assessed at follow up.

The study found 5.1% of participants had early persistent PLEs. Persistence was associated positively with depression and distress at both time points, neuroticism and openness at baseline and suicidality at follow up. Persistence was negatively associated with functioning at both time points, agreeableness at baseline and self-esteem at follow-up. Only depression remained significantly associated at both time points when accounting for other variables. Thus, depressive symptoms may account for changes in other domains and be a predictor of early PLEs persistence.

These results reinforce the importance of monitoring and assessing PLEs in young people especially when associated with depression. Further research is required to investigate PLE persistence over longer periods with increased measurement intervals.