Psychotic-like experiences from adolescence to adulthood: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), such as delusions and hallucinations, are regarded to occur along a spectrum and to be present also in non-help-seeking individuals from the general population. However, it remains unclear whether the occurrence of PLEs is a unique risk factor for future PLEs or a symptom of general psychopathology. In this study, we investigated whether PLEs during adolescence predict future PLEs in adulthood. A community-based cohort of 1146 young adolescents (mean age, 14.38 years) were assessed and then reassessed 6 years later (mean age, 20.15 years). Participants reported PLEs experienced in the past year, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and conduct problems. We adjusted the analysis for other forms of psychopathology and sex differences. Participants who reported PLEs in adulthood had higher ratings for all preceding and co-occurring symptoms of psychopathology. In the adjusted logistic regression model, having PLEs and, to a smaller degree, anxiety during adolescence predicted PLEs in early adulthood. The association between baseline and future PLEs did not differ between males and females, although females were more likely to report PLEs during adolescence. Participants with persistent PLEs reported more hallucinations during adolescence than those with transient symptoms. Our findings suggest that the early occurrence of PLEs is an important and independent predictor of future PLEs and should be monitored to identify individuals with a high risk of future psychopathology and to enable early interventions.