Abstract
Objectives: Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and problematic internet use (PIU) are common in adolescents. However, little is known about the association between PLEs and PIU among adolescents. The present study examined the associations between PLEs and PIU and negative life events among adolescents. Methods: In total, 1,678 adolescents attending high school were recruited for a cross-sectional survey. They completed self-reported assessments of PLEs using the Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16) and measures of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, internet use, and negative life events using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Korean Scale for Internet Addiction (K-scale), and the Lifetime Incidence of Traumatic Events for Children (LITE-C), including cybersexual harassment and school violence. Results: A total of 1,239 subjects (73.8%) scored at least 1 on the PQ-16. The mean total and distress PQ-16 scores were significantly higher in students who used mental health services. The total and distress prodromal questionnaire-16 (PQ-16) scores were positively correlated with the CES-D, STAI-S, STAI-T, LITE-C, and K-scale scores but negatively correlated with the RSES score. Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that PLEs were significantly associated with a high K-scale score and the incidence of negative life events, such as LITE-C, cybersexual harassment, and bully–victims. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that PIU and negative life experiences were significantly associated with PLEs in adolescents. Assessment and therapeutic intervention with regard to internet use as a coping strategy for stress are needed to prevent the development of clinical psychotic symptoms.
Highlights
Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are subclinical hallucinations and delusions that are common among adolescents [1] and are a manifestation of at-risk mental states (ARMS) for psychosis [2, 3]
This study investigated the associations among PLEs, negative life events, and Problematic internet use (PIU) in Korean community high school students
We found no significant difference in Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16) scores by gender, religion, or academic achievement
Summary
Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are subclinical hallucinations and delusions that are common among adolescents [1] and are a manifestation of at-risk mental states (ARMS) for psychosis [2, 3]. The presence of PLEs does not necessarily predict future conversion to psychosis [4], but it is important to address such experiences as they cause distress and functional impairment similar to individuals who transition to psychosis [5]. Several psychosocial factors, such as depression, anxiety, poor selfesteem, and negative life experiences, have been reported to be risks for PLEs [6,7,8,9]. Research has revealed several serious mental health problems caused by the cyberbullying of adolescents [14]
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