Prodromal Questionnaire Research Articles

Internal Validation of the Latvian Version of 16-Item Prodromal Questionnaire in A Help-Seeking Adolescent Population: Psychometric Analysis and Associated Factors.

The prodromal phase of a psychotic disorder is a period of altered functioning before the onset of the acute state; several interviews have been developed to determine whether individuals present with prodromal symptoms. The 16-item Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16) is a screening tool for evaluating those at risk of developing a psychotic disorder. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Latvian version of the PQ-16 in a sample of help-seeking adolescents referred for diagnostic assessment and look for possible associated socio-demographic and health-related factors. A cross-sectional study included patients admitted for evaluation between November 2022 and February 2023 in Riga's Children's Clinical University Hospital Child Psychiatry clinic. The data were collected during outpatient consultations by mental health professionals. We used the Latvian translation of PQ-16 and the socio-demographic and health-related factors questionnaire. Data were analysed with IBM SPSS 28; the scale's diagnostic accuracy and internal validity were examined. The study involved 107 adolescents aged 12% to 17%, 80.5% female, with a mean age of 14.98 (CI 14.70-15.26). Socio-demographic data and health-related variables did not significantly differ between the sexes (p > 0.05). The Latvian PQ-16 demonstrated excellent internal reliability with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.890. All 16 items were found to be valid with p < 0.001. A significant number of participants (73.8%) scored above the current cut-off of ≥ 6 with a mean of 9.17 (95% CI 8.41-9.93). Certain socio-demographic factors, such as female gender (p < 0.001), fair school performance (p = 0.048) and recent changes in school performance (p < 0.001), demonstrated a significant association with higher scores. Additionally, there were found significant associations between positive screening and health-related factors such as obstetric complications (p = 0.044), smoking (p = 0.002), alcohol consumption (p = 0.021), history of bullying in school (p < 0.001) and emotional abuse at home (p = 0.011). Latvian translation of PQ-16 showed high internal reliability and validity levels. Positive PQ-16 screening was associated with female gender, worsened school performance, obstetric complications, substance abuse and experienced emotional violence. The average score of 9.17 positive answers and 73.8% of participants screening positive for attenuated psychotic symptoms is significantly higher than in recent studies under similar conditions.

Clinical and functional outcomes at 7-year follow-up of children presenting putative antecedents of schizophrenia at age 9-12 years

Identification of youth presenting early risk factors for psychosis may facilitate preventive intervention. Through school-based screening, we recruited 112 children aged 9–12 years who presented multiple putative antecedents of schizophrenia (ASz), a family history of schizophrenia (FHx), or neither of these risk factors (typically-developing; TD). Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed at age 17–21 years (N = 93). Compared to the TD group, the ASz group had higher total Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ) scores (β = 10.59, 95% CI = 3.76, 17.42) and total psychopathology scores (β = 6.13, 95% CI: 1.03, 11.23), were more likely to score above-threshold on the PQ positive symptoms scale (OR = 4.00, 95% CI = 1.08, 14.83), and had lower scores on the Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (β = –9.43, 95% CI = –15.08, –3.77) at follow-up. The FHx and TD groups did not differ on any outcome. Findings suggest that population screening for putative antecedents of schizophrenia may identify children who would benefit from preventative intervention.

Do help-seeking adolescents report more psychotic-like experiences than young adults on the 16-item version of the prodromal questionnaire (PQ-16)?

To compare psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in adolescents and young adults referred to the Mental Health Services (MHSs). Participants scored the 16-item Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16) as part of the intake procedure. Data on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classification and demographic data were collected. The PQ-16 was completed by 13 783 respondents (mean age 24.63 years, SD = 6.09; 62.6% female). Overall, the scores on the PQ-16 were not higher for adolescents (11-17 years; m = 4.84, SD = 3.62) than for young adults (18-35 years; m = 5.47, SD = 3.85). On PQ-16 item level, adolescents reported seeing and hearing things more than adults did. Across all age groups, males scored lower on the PQ-16 than females. Specifically, adolescent males scored lower than other participants. For adolescents and young adults alike, PQ-16 scores were higher for participants with borderline personality disorder, PTSD, and mood disorder than for those with other DSM classifications. Although help-seeking adolescents did not score higher on the PQ-16 than help-seeking young adults, more of them reported perceptual anomalies. Irrespective of age, participants with borderline personality disorder, PTSD and mood disorder scored higher on the PQ-16 than those with other DSM classifications.

Prodromal questionnaire (PQ-16) dimensionality among Colombian adolescent school students.

The study aimed to determine the dimensionality of the Spanish version of the PQ-16 among Colombian adolescent school students. A validation study was designed with the participation of 334 Colombian adolescent students aged between 13 and 17 (M = 15.2, SD = 1.1); 171 (52.1%) were girls, and 163 (47.9%) were boys, 229 (68.6%) were ninth-grade students and 105 (31.4%) were tenth-grade students. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed, internal consistency was calculated with the Kuder-Richardson and McDonald's omega tests, and correlation with suicide ideation was computed with the Kendall correlation (r). The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the PQ-16 adequately fit a unidimensional structure: RMSEA = 0.05 (90%CI 0.04-0.06), CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, SRMR = 0.05, chi-squared = 193.18 (df = 102, p < 0.001) and normalized chi-squared = 1.89. This factor presented high internal consistency: Kuder-Richardson test and McDonald's omega of 0.83. The correlation between the PQ-16 and suicide ideation was r = 0.45 (p < 0.001). The PQ-16 is a one-dimensional tool with high internal consistency and correlation with suicide ideation among schooled adolescents. Further research should explore the PQ-16 performance against a structured clinical interview.

Pathways to care in youth and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis in Switzerland: Current situation and clinical implementation of the PsyYoung project.

We aim to give an insight into the current situation in Switzerland concerning the pathways to care of young people with clinical high risk of psychosis. In a second step we propose a procedure of optimizing pathways to care developed within the project PsyYoung. A qualitative survey derived and adapted from Kotlicka-Antczak et al. (2020) was conducted in large early detection services of three Swiss cantons (Geneva, Basel-Stadt, Vaud) focusing on pathways to care. More specifically, using questionnaires delivered to the heads of participating services, information was collected on referral sources, on activities to implement outreach campaigns and on the use of a pre-screening tool. Main results on referral source indicated that sources were variable but seemed to come primarily from the medical sector and more so from the psychiatric sector. Very few referrals came from non-medical sectors. Outreach activities included the contact to other clinics as well as through brochures and posters. All services but one used the Prodromal Questionnaire - 16 as pre-screening tool. All in all, the results indicate a referral and care pathway system implemented mostly within the medical and particularly mental health sector. Accordingly, the PsyYoung project proposes a procedure for pathways to care which could help overcome the obstacle of referrals being restrained to a narrow field of mental health and to harmonize the referral process within services dedicated to the same aim of helping young people at high risk of developing a psychosis.

Age-related differences in the impact of resilience on mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.

This study investigated changes in mental health in Hong Kong over two years and examined the role of resilience and age in mitigating the negative effects of public health emergencies, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. Complete data of interest from two telephone surveys conducted in 2020 (n=1182) and 2021 (n=1108) were analysed. Participants self-reported depressive and anxiety symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire 4-item version (PHQ), psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) using three items from the Prodromal Questionnaire Brief (PQB), and resilience using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 2-item version (CD-RISC-2). We observed an increase in the percentage of participants with high depressive and anxiety symptoms and PLEs from 1.6% to 6.5% between 2020 and 2021. The likelihood of having high depressive and anxiety symptoms or PLEs depended on resilience and age, with no significant between-year differences. Resilience and age interaction effects were significant when comparing the high PHQ-high PQB group to the low PHQ-low PQB group only in 2021 but not in 2020. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Hong Kong, emphasising the age-dependent nature of resilience in mitigating negative effects. Future research should explore the mechanisms by which resilience promotes mental health and well-being and identify ways to enhance resilience among older individuals during public health crises.

Psychotic experiences in university students: prevalence, correlates and association with non-specific psychological distress

Introduction Subclinical psychotic experiences (PEs) are far more prevalent than psychotic disorders, with an estimated prevalence of 7.2% (Linscott &amp; Van Os. Psychol Med 2013;43(6) 1133-1149). PEs are particularly prevalent in late adolescence and young adulthood, when obtaining academic education is one of the main developmental tasks. University students are at the peak age of onset of mental disorders, and often experience high levels of social and academic stress that may contribute to the onset of psychopathology. Hence, estimating the prevalence and correlates of PEs among university students is particularly important.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of PEs in a sample of Israeli students; assess whether rates of PEs differ by selected sociodemographic characteristics; and examine the association between PEs and non-specific psychological distress.Methods150 students from universities and colleges in Israel participated in a cross-sectional online survey. All students were over the age of 18 and were not diagnosed with psychotic disorders. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including the Prodromal Questionnaire - Brief Version (PQ-B), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and sociodemographic details. The PQ-B yields a score for the total number of items endorsed (range 0–21), and a total distress score (range 0–105). A cutoff of ≥8 distressing symptoms was used to identify participants at high-risk for psychosis.Results 21 participants (14.0%) reported 8 or more distressing PEs. PEs were more common in males and among those with a psychiatric illness (Table 1). PEs were not associated with marital status, religiosity, or immigrant status. While a greater number of PEs was positively associated with non-specific psychological distress (r=0.589, p&lt;.001), there was no association between distress caused by PEs and non-specific psychological distress (r=0.145, NS). Table 1.Sociodemographic characteristics by groupPEs-PEs+X2, pSexM29.5%52.4%4.32, .038F70.5%47.6%Marital StatusMarried17.1%23.8%0.56, NSUnmarried82.9%76.2%ImmigrantNo89.9%85.7%0.34, NSYes10.1%14.3%ReligiositySecular74.4%57.1%2.67, NSOther25.6%42.9% PsychiatricillnessNo87.6%61.9%8.87, .003Yes12.4%38.1%ConclusionsThe findings confirm that self-reported PEs are much more prevalent than clinically diagnosed psychotic disorders, particularly among young adults. As PEs were found to be associated with non-specific psychological distress, and as they are known forerunners for severe mental disorders, it is important to address mental health issues in school settings and promote prevention and early intervention programs.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Childhood adversity and psychopathology: the dimensions of timing, type and chronicity in a population-based sample of high-risk adolescents.

Research on childhood adversity and psychopathology has begun investigating the dimension of timing, however the results have been contradictory depending on the study population, outcome and how adverse life events (ALEs) were operationalized. Additionally, studies so far typically focus only on a narrow range of psychiatric diagnoses or symptoms. The current cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between timing, type and chronicity of ALEs and adolescent mental health problems. Adolescents from a population-based cohort oversampled on emotional and behavioral problems (mean age 14.8; range 12-17, N = 861) were included in the current analysis. Primary caregivers were interviewed on what ALEs adolescents experienced. ALEs were defined in two ways: (1) broad operationalization, including school difficulties, parental divorce, and family sickness; and (2) physically threatening abuse only, including physical and sexual violence. After looking at lifetime ALEs, we turned to chronicity, timing and sex differences. We focused on overall psychiatric symptoms as well as specific domains of emotional and behavioral problems, assessed using the Youth Self Report (YSR) and psychotic experiences assessed using the Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16). A series of linear models adjusted for sociodemographic and parental factors were used. Lifetime ALEs were associated with all types of psychopathology, with relatively bigger effect sizes for broad than for physical ALEs. The latter associations were found to be more robust to unmeasured confounding. The 9-12 age period of experiencing both broad and physical ALE's was most saliently associated with any psychopathology. Girls were more at risk after experiencing any ALEs, especially if the adversity was chronic or ALEs took place after the age of 12. Broad as well as physical ALEs are associated with psychopathology, especially ALEs experienced during the 9-12 age period. Physical ALEs may be more useful in investigating specific etiological factors than broad ALEs. Sex differences may not emerge in lifetime measures of ALEs, but can be important for chronic and later childhood adversity.

Revealing the Unseen: Detecting Negative Symptoms in Students.

Background: The transnosographic nature of negative symptoms (NS) makes them fruitful for detecting psychiatric symptoms. The main objective of this study was to determine whether NS can be useful in screening for ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR) or depressive symptoms in the no-help-seeking student population. The most prevalent NS and their relationship with cannabis use were also researched. Methods: From an online survey sent to students, 2128 filled out the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS), Prodromal Questionnaire 16 (PQ-16), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST). Results: 367 students (17.2%, 95% CI [15.6-18.9]) were considered to have UHR (PQ-16 distress score ≥ 9) and/or depression (BDI ≥ 16). The receiver operation characteristic curve showed that a threshold of 13 for the SNS score discriminated this subgroup of students with a sensitivity and specificity of 79.8% and 70.6%, respectively. The motivational dimension was overrepresented and linked to cannabis use. Conclusions: The early detection of NS in the no-help-seeking student population is relevant for detecting depressive and prodromal symptoms. This will enable early intervention to limit the progression to chronic mental disorders. The predominance of NS linked to the amotivational dimension was observed and related to cannabis use.

Cognitive Biases and Socio-Occupational Functioning Mediate the Relationship between Executive Functions and the Severity of Psychopathology among Young Adults with Psychotic-like Experiences: 1-Year Follow-Up Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether Trail Making Test (TMT) performance is associated with the severity of psychopathological symptoms related to psychosis among young adults with elevated level of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), and whether this relationship is mediated by cognitive biases and socio-occupational functioning. A total of 187 subjects from a larger population of 6722 young adults participated in this 1-year follow-up study. The inclusion criteria were an elevated level of PLEs (the highest score of the Prodromal Questionnaire) and a lack of schizophrenia diagnosis. Eventually, 134 subjects (71.6%) completed the TMT, as well as the DACOBS scale (cognitive biases), at baseline and were examined twice using the CAARMS (psychopathology) and SOFAS (socio-occupational functioning) scales. In the first (I) and second (II) measurements, the calculated effects indicate indirect-only mediations, which explained 35 and 38% of the variance of the CAARMS. The TMT B execution time was positively associated with the DACOBS scale (β = 0.19, p = 0.028), which was negatively related to the SOFAS I (β = -0.37, p < 0.001) and SOFAS II (β = -0.20, p = 0.016) measurements. A lower score on the SOFAS I predicted a higher score on the CAARMS I (β = -0.50, p < 0.001), and a lower SOFAS II predicted a higher score on the CAARMS II (β = -0.61, p < 0.001). Subtle EF dysfunctions may, over time, translate into a greater severity of symptoms related to psychosis in people with elevated PLEs, and this is mediated by a deterioration of their metacognition and socio-occupational functioning.

The Italian version of the 16-item Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16) and its psychometric features in help-seeking ultra-high-risk subjects and in the general population.

Increasing attention to the early stages of psychosis and the identification of symptomatic prodromal states have led to the development of a growing number of screening tools. The 16-item version of the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16) is a worldwide used self-administered tool for this purpose. However, to date, fundamental psychometric properties of PQ-16 were not thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine the structural validity, measurement invariance, reliability and other psychometrical properties of the Italian version of the PQ-16 (iPQ-16) in help-seeking individuals and in the general population. The iPQ-16 was administered to 449 young outpatients attending six community mental health services and to 318 control participants enrolled in educational environment. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), measurement invariance (MI) between the help-seeking group and the general population sample, convergent validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and prevalence analyses were performed. Lastly, the validity of the adopted PQ-16 cut-offs through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves plotted against CAARMS diagnoses was also tested. CFAs confirmed the single-factor structure for the iPQ-16 and scalar MI was reached. The iPQ-16 showed high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and acceptable diagnostic accuracy. ROC analysis suggested a score of ≥4 as best cut-off. The iPQ-16 represents a valid and reliable questionnaire for the assessment of high mental risk in both Italian outpatients and general student population. It has good psychometric properties and is easy to implement as UHR screening for clinical as well as research purposes.

Assessing psychotic-like experiences using categorical and metacognitive approaches: A validation of polish self-report measures.

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are experiences in the general population that, in their extreme form, are attributed to clinical psychosis. They are correlated with general psychopathology and increased risk of developing psychosis. Previous research show a multitude of measuring tools which most often lack psychometric validation. This study aimed to examine both categorical and metacognitive measures of PLEs. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used in seven online studies with n's ranging from 259 to 6772 to explore factor structures of Prodromal Questionnaire 16 item (PQ-16), Revised Green et al. Paranoid Thoughts Scale (R-GPTS), Multi-Modality Unusual Sensory Experiences Questionnaire (MUSEQ), Beliefs about Paranoia Scale (BAPS) and Interpretation of Voices Inventory (IVI). Additionally, we explored measurement invariance between diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and undiagnosed individuals in PQ-16, R-GPTS and BAPS. We confirmed the factor structures of all questionnaires except IVI. We confirmed configural, threshold and metric measurement invariance in R-GPTS and BAPS and partially PQ-16. The current results demonstrate structural validity and measurement invariance of several categorical and metacognitive measures of PLEs.

Counseling in the face of crisis: supporting mental health in Tor Vergata University students during the Covid-19 era.

This study aims to present an overview of the clinical experience of the counseling service "Sportello Studenti". The service offers free diagnostic and therapeutic psychological assistance to all Tor Vergata University of Rome students. Preliminary findings on the prevalence of anxious, depressive, and prodromal symptoms in a subset of participants recruited during the initial three-year period of the service's operation (2019-2022) are presented. Beck's Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Prodromal Questionnaire 16 (PQ-16) and Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) have been used to investigate principle psychopathological dimensions. 261 students aged 18 to 35 completed the assessment (180 female - 69%). Mild widespread depressive symptoms (35.5%) and mild to severe suicide ideation (5.1%) were highlighted. Ninety students (37.2%) result at a higher risk condition for psychosis. A significant statistical correlation between negative psychopathological indicators, such as suicidal thoughts and age, suggests that younger students exhibit higher susceptibility and vulnerability to mental health issues. The increasing prevalence of distress among young individuals represents an urgent public health concern that necessitates immediate intervention. It is crucial for countries to adopt a comprehensive approach to promoting psychological and mental health. University counseling services serve as an effective initial intervention to address the negative impact of mental illness on academic performance, social interactions, and emotional well-being in young individuals. They also play a pivotal role in the early identification of individuals at risk of developing severe psychiatric disorders. Sportello Studenti has proven to be a valuable initiative addressing the mental health needs of University of Tor Vergata students, underscoring the significance of promoting psychological well-being.

Resilience buffers the association between psychotic-like experiences and suicide risk: a prospective study from a non-clinical sample

BackgroundSeveral studies have reported that psychotic-like experiences are associated with low levels of resilience and increased suicide risk. However, it remains unknown as to whether resilience mediates or moderates the association between psychotic-like experiences and suicide risk. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore the moderating and mediating effect of resilience in the association between psychotic-like experiences and suicide risk.MethodsA total of 1100 non-clinical, young adults (aged 18 – 35 years) with a negative history of psychiatric treatment were enrolled. Participants were recruited by the snowball sampling methodology through advertisements posted in the online platform. They were followed-up for about 7 months. Variables of interest were recorded using self-reports. Psychopathological assessment was conducted using the Prodromal Questionnaire-16, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Traumatic Experience Checklist, the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire, the Cannabis Problems Questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10, and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The STROBE statement guidelines were followed.ResultsThe moderation analysis revealed that higher levels of psychotic-like experiences and related distress at baseline were associated with significantly higher suicide risk at the follow-up after adjustment for baseline sociodemographic characteristics, depressive and anxiety symptoms, a history of childhood trauma, and problematic cannabis use. The interaction between follow-up resilience and distress related to baseline psychotic-like experiences was significantly and negatively associated with suicide risk at the follow-up. Specifically, the correlation between the level of distress related to psychotic-like experiences and suicide risk was significant and positive only in participants with lower levels of resilience. This interaction did not reach statistical significance for the baseline level of psychotic-like experiences. No significant mediating effect of the follow-up resilience level in the association between baseline psychotic-like experiences and the follow-up suicide risk was found.ConclusionsFindings from the present study indicate that resilience might protect against suicide risk in people with psychotic-like experiences. These findings could be applied in the formulation of early intervention strategies aimed at mitigating the risk of suicide. Future studies need to explore the effects of interventions targeting resilience for individuals with psychotic-like experiences.

Addressing the elephant in the screening room: an item response theory analysis of the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ-16) for at-risk symptoms of psychosis.

Within the context of patients at-risk of psychosis, where a variety of symptoms are present, identifying the most discriminative symptoms is essential for efficient detection and management. This cross-sectional online study analyzed individuals from the general population in order to better assess their risk of presenting symptoms belonging to the clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis, called "CHR-related symptoms". The Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16) served as a self-report screening tool. Item response theory (IRT) with a graded response model was used to assess the discrimination and difficulty of its criteria. The analysis included 936 participants (mean age: 21.5 years; 28.1% male, 71.9% female). "Déjà vu" stood out for its high discriminative power, while "Voices or whispers" and "Seen things" demonstrated strong precision relatively to the other CHR-related symptoms. Conversely, "Smell or taste" and "Changing face" were associated with the most severe cases relatively to the other CHR-related symptoms. This study identified the most indicative CHR-related symptoms to emphasize their significance in accurately assessing severity and guiding targeted preventative interventions.

Modelling the effects of the exposome score within the extended psychosis phenotype

It has been reported that cumulative measures of risk factors for psychosis might help to predict its development. However, it remains unknown as to whether these measures are also associated with the extended psychosis phenotype that refers to a continuum of features bridging subclinical symptoms with clinically relevant outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of the exposome score (ES) with psychosis risk in a non-clinical population. A total of 1100 non-clinical adults (aged 18–35 years, 51.4% females) with a negative history of psychiatric treatment were recruited. The Prodromal Questionnaire–16 (PQ–16) was used to screen for psychosis risk. Self-reports were used to record environmental exposures. The ES was significantly higher in participants with the positive PQ-16 screening. Specifically, the prevalence of obstetric complications, non–right handedness, all categories of childhood trauma, and problematic cannabis use was significantly higher in this group of participants. A network analysis demonstrated that the ES was directly connected not only to items representing psychotic experiences (“paranoid thoughts”, “a lack of control over own ideas or thoughts”, “thought echo”, and “being distracted by distant sounds”) but also those covering depressive or anxiety symptoms (“uninterested in things used to enjoy” and “feeling anxious when meeting people for the first time”). In conclusion, the ES is associated with the extended psychosis phenotype, suggesting its potential to identify individuals who may benefit from further psychosis risk assessment. The ES appears to contribute to non-specific psychopathology, which may, in some cases, progress to psychosis.

The structure of the Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16) in a non-help-seeking youth population: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses study.

The present study aimed to examine the structure of the Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16) in a non-help-seeking youth population through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Previous studies have not examined the structure of this self-report measure in this age group outside a clinical setting. Participants (n=1165) aged 11-19years were recruited to an epidemiological study of young people in Northern Ireland, and completed the PQ-16 alongside other measures. The dataset was split randomly in two for separate factor analyses. A polychoric correlation matrix was created and exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the optimal number of factors. In addition, based on previous studies, six models were tested through confirmatory factor analysis to determine best fit. A one-factor, 3 two-factor, a three-factor and a four-factor model were all tested. The exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure of the PQ-16 in this population, which we have labelled 'general unusual experiences' and 'hallucinations'. Confirmatory analysis indicated that the two-factor model identified through the exploratory analysis was the best fit for the data. The present study suggests that the structure of the PQ-16 may vary across age groups in non-clinical settings, and adds further support to the validity of the PQ-16 is a cost-effective, easy to administer self-report measure that is suitable for use in non-help-seeking populations as a screening tool for prodromal symptoms.

Prevalence of co-occurring severe depression and psychotic symptoms in college students and its relationship with childhood maltreatment

BackgroundIt has been demonstrated that childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with an increased risk of depression and psychotic symptoms. However, there is still a lack of studies on the prevalence of co-occurring severe depression and psychotic symptoms (CSDPS) and the association between CM and CSDPS among college students. ObjectiveWe aim to investigate the prevalence and demographic distribution of CSDPS among Chinese college students and to examine its relationship with CM. Participants and settingA total of 7351 college students aged 18 and above completed the survey. Finally, 6854 valid questionnaires were included for further analysis. MethodsThe Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the item for witnessing domestic violence were used to assess the CM. The Prodromal Questionnaire-16 and the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress-21 scale were used to assess psychotic symptoms and depressive symptoms. ResultsThe prevalence of CSDPS was 1.47 % among the college students. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that emotional abuse and emotional neglect were associated with an increased risk of CSDPS (all p < 0.05). The risk of CSDPS was dramatically increased for individuals who had experienced ≥3 types of CM (OR = 22.929, p < 0.001), as compared to those who had experienced 1‐2 types of CM (OR = 4.452, p < 0.001) and those without the experience of CM. ConclusionCM was found to be associated with an increased risk of CSDPS among the college students. Notably, experiencing more types of CM was also associated with a higher risk of CSDPS.

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, mania, insomnia, stress, suicidal ideation, psychotic experiences, & loneliness in UK university students

Despite existing wellbeing services, university students remain particularly vulnerable to mental health difficulties. Therefore, this study was designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms by using well validated scales with robust psychometric properties. More specifically, the current data provides crucial information concerning the prevalence of anxiety, depression, mania, insomnia, stress, suicidal ideation, psychotic experiences and loneliness amongst a sample of N = 1408 UK university students. A cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was implemented. Online recruitment for this dataset began on September 17th, 2018, and ended on the 30th July 2019. Eight validated measures were used: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale; Patient Health Questionnaire; The Mood Disorder Questionnaire; The Sleep Condition Indicator; The Perceived Stress Scale; Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire-Revised; The Prodromal Questionnaire 16 (PQ-16); and the University of California Loneliness Scale. The dataset is available to other researchers and is provided on figshare. Information concerning the data records, usage notes, code availability and technical validation are presented. Finally, we present demographic information concerning psychiatric symptom prevalence.

Assessing the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients at a tertiary clinic.

The International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) defines epilepsy as a brain disorder characterised by an enduring risk to generate seizures with neurobiological, cognitive, psychological and social consequences. Psychotic disorders in epilepsy are a serious psychiatric complication affecting the prognosis, morbidity and mortality of patients. There is a paucity in literature with regard to the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients in low- to middle-income countries. This study aimed to look at the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients at an outpatient clinic using the prodromal questionnaire 16 (PQ-16). The study was conducted at the epilepsy clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital (CMJAH), a tertiary hospital located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The PQ-16 was distributed to patients at the epilepsy clinic at CMJAH. The study consisted of 121 participants. The prevalence of patients found to be at high risk of psychosis (i.e., PQ-16 score > 6) was 61.2% (95% lower confidence interval (LCI): 0.53, upper confidence interval (UCI): 0.70). None of the demographic variables showed significant associations in the percentage of patients found to be at high risk. No association was found between any antiepileptic drug and high risk of psychosis. The high prevalence of psychotic like experiences found suggests it is imperative to screen for psychotic disorders in epileptic patients and if required to involve neuropsychiatrists in their management. This study highlights the importance of assessing psychotic symptoms in epileptic patients and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing these complex patients.