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Published on: November 21, 2013
Safe and supported: Mitigating psychotic experiences in Irish adolescents - A population-based study
John Hoey1, Tomasz Szank2, Jessica Ohland3
1Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine: RCSI School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland.
Background:
Psychotic experiences (PEs) in are associated with elevated risk for mental health difficulties. This study examined predictors of PEs, inclusive of the role of gender, ethnicity, and protective factors.
Methods:
Data were drawn from a 2021 Planet Youth survey of adolescents (n = 4,005). PEs were measured using the adolescent psychotic symptom screener. Effects of psychosocial predictors on PEs were measured by fitting multivariable logistic regression main effect and joint exposure models.
Results:
29.8% reported PEs. Black/Asian/Other minorities had elevated odds (aOR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.26-2.02, p < .001). Increased odds in males, females, undisclosed gender and non-binary/transgender with elevated emotional/behavioural difficulties (aOR = 4.47, 95% CI 3.53-5.67, p < .001; aOR = 3.25, 95% CI 2.59-4.08, p < .001; aOR = 4.83, 95% CI 2.58-9.02, p < .001; aOR = 4.33, 95% CI 2.69-6.97, p < .001 respectively). High odds in undisclosed gender with low emotional/behavioural difficulties (aOR = 4.36, 95% CI 1.50-12.66, p = .007). Lower odds from perceived school/home safety (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.58-0.83, p < .001 and (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.66-0.99, p = .038, respectively). Elevated odds from recent adversities (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.47-2.49, p = .011) attenuated by parental support (aOR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.17-2.65, p < .001). Each additional adversity (>12 months) increased odds (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.07-1.17, p < .001).
Conclusions:
Findings highlight the interplay of risk and protective factors in adolescent PEs, with increased vulnerability among minoritized youth. Results support targeted interventions to reduce mental health disparities.
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