Temperament mediates the relationship between family environment and psychotic-like experiences in early adolescence:...

Psychotic-Like Experiences (PLEs) during early adolescence may precede development of later psychotic disorders. Given evidence of environmental challenges contributing to the psychotic disorder psychopathology, this study examined if child temperament mediates the association between the family environment and PLEs.

Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (ABCD) was used. The family environment was taken from the baseline reading, with temperament and PLEs taken from 2-year follow-up. Three family environment variables (parental monitoring, parental acceptance, and family conflict) and four temperament variables (executive control, negative affect, asociality and focused attention) were used. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was created to assess the mediation of temperament between family environment and PLEs.

SEM analysis showed that Executive Control and Focused Attention partially mediated the relationship between family environment and PLEs. Higher parental monitoring and acceptance were associated with better executive control and focused attention, which in turn corresponded with fewer distressing PLEs. All family environment variables also had significant direct effects on distressing PLEs.

These findings suggest that child temperament, particularly executive control and focused attention, may mediate the effects of family environment on PLEs. Although causality cannot be inferred, supportive family environments appear to enhance executive control and attention, potentially reducing PLE risk during early adolescence. Direct effects of the family environment on PLEs also emphasize the importance of family functioning in adolescent mental health. Interventions aimed at improving family dynamics and supporting development of positive temperament traits may help mitigate the risk of PLEs.