Does social isolation predict the emergence of psychotic-like experiences? Results from the experience sampling...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Network Analysis

Background:

• Social isolation and loneliness are linked to psychotic experiences.
• The dynamics of these factors in individuals with subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic predictive relationships between social isolation, loneliness, negative affect, social stress, and PLEs using temporal network analysis.

Main Methods:

• Employed temporal network analysis on data from 77 drug-naïve individuals with PLEs.
• Utilized the experience sampling method (ESM) over 7 consecutive days, collecting 3234 data entries.

Main Results:

• Social isolation predicted subsequent PLEs via loneliness and negative affect.
• PLEs predicted subsequent loneliness (not social isolation) through negative affect.
• Negative affect demonstrated the highest network centrality.

Conclusions:

• Social isolation may precipitate PLEs through momentary loneliness and negative affect.
• Loneliness and PLEs appear to have a bidirectional relationship.
• Interventions focusing on negative affect and social isolation may benefit individuals with PLEs.