Longitudinal patterns of sensory and paranoid psychotic-like experiences in adolescents: Associations with distress, psychopathology, and substance use
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) have been shown to increase the risk for mental health problems in later life, especially psychosis. Following previously raised methodological concerns about the assessment of PLEs in adolescents, this study sought to differentiate subtypes of PLEs and to explore their trajectories. Methods Longitudinally matched data of 671 German adolescents from three surveys over the time span of one year were analysed. Four trajectories were identified, including persisting, subsiding, and emerging highly indicative PLEs (HIPs), and non-highly indicative PLEs (non-HIPs), and longitudinally compared in terms of associated distress, psychopathology, and substance use. A differentiated never PLEs group was considered as a control. Results The persisting HIPs group reported greater distress than the non-HIP group over time and was consistently associated with higher rates of internalising symptoms. The subsiding HIP group showed significant reductions in distress and internalising symptoms over time, but no significant changes regarding externalising symptoms and substance use. There was no difference in the extent of substance use between the groups. Conclusions Screenings of PLEs should be mindful of different subtypes of PLEs that indicate a greater associated risk of poor mental health. PLE screening should not stop at whether PLEs are present but ask which ones.
Source: medRxiv
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G8137065981
OpenAlex ID: W7214106316