Self-reported attenuated psychotic-like experiences in help-seeking adolescents and their association with age, functioning and psychopathology

• Published in: Schizophrenia research Vol. 160; no. 1; pp. 110 - 117
• Main Authors: Brandizzi, Martina, Schultze-Lutter, Frauke, Masillo, Alice, Lanna, Andrea, Curto, Martina, Lindau, Juliana Fortes, Solfanelli, Andrea, Listanti, Giulia, Patanè, Martina, Kotzalidis, Giorgio, Gebhardt, Eva, Meyer, Nicholas, Di Pietro, Diana, Leccisi, Donato, Girardi, Paolo, Fiori Nastro, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.12.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Age Factors; Attenuated psychotic-like experiences; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Children and adolescents; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Other psychotic disorders; Perceptual abnormalities; Prodromal Symptoms; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - epidemiology; Screening; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultra-high risk; Screening; Children and adolescents; Attenuated psychotic-like experiences; Perceptual abnormalities; Ultra-high risk; Human; Help seeking; High risk; Perceptual disorder; Self evaluation; Medical screening; Preadolescent; Psychosis; Adolescent; Psychopathology; Predictive factor; Age
• ISSN: 0920-9964; 1573-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.10.005

Abstract Objective Self-rated attenuated psychotic-like experiences (APLEs) are increasingly used to screen for ultra-high-risk (UHR) across all ages. However, self-rated psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), in particular perception-related ones, were more frequent in children and adolescents, in which they possessed less clinical significance. We therefore explored the prevalence of different factors of APLEs in help-seeking adolescents, and their relationship with age, functioning and psychopathology. Method As a part of the “Liberiamo il Futuro” project, help-seeking adolescents (N = 171; 11–18 years, 53% male) were screened with the 92-item Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-92). A factor analysis was performed on the PQ-92 positive items (i.e., APLEs) to identify different APLE-factors. These were assessed for their association with age, functioning and psychopathology using regression analyses. Results APLEs were very common in help-seeking adolescents, and formed four factors: “Conceptual Disorganization and Suspiciousness”, “Perceptual Abnormalities”, “Bizarre Experiences”, and “Magical Ideation”. Associations with age and functioning but not psychopathology were found for “Perceptual Abnormalities” that was significantly more severe in 11–12-year-olds, while “Conceptual Disorganization and Suspiciousness” was significantly related to psychopathology. Conclusion In line with findings on PLEs, prevalence and clinical significance of APLEs, especially perception-related ones, might depend on age and thus neurodevelopmental stage, and may fall within the normal spectrum of experience during childhood. This should be considered when screening for UHR status in younger age groups.