Aim. This study aimed to investigate if particular psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) subtypes were more likely to be associated with a series of socio-demographic variables, with alcohol abuse and with cannabis or illicit drug use. The idea is to further characterize different PLEs subtypes in order to discloud their individual nature. Methods. A cross-sectional design was conducted on a sample of 997 university students aged between 19 and 26 years, which belonged to 4 faculties of 2 different universities. Alcohol abuse and cannabis or illicit drug use were assessed using a self-report questionnaire; PLEs were assessed using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. Cases were randomized in order to obtain equipotent groups; then, an analysis of the probable dependence relations between PLEs subtypes and other variables was conducted using analysis of variance models. Results. Persecutory ideas (PI) and bizarre experiences were more frequent within females and non-resident students, moreover PI were more frequent within younger subjects (<20 years). Magical thinking was significantly associated to a more frequent cannabis use in the last year (>1/month). Conclusions. These results confirm usefulness and validity of a “subtype approach” to PLEs. In fact PLEs subtypes may have, not only a different clinical presentation, but even different epidemiological and psychopathological ones.

Subtypes of psychotic-like experiences in a community sample of young adults: socio-demographic correlates and substance use

PAPALEO, FRANCESCO;
2012

Abstract

Aim. This study aimed to investigate if particular psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) subtypes were more likely to be associated with a series of socio-demographic variables, with alcohol abuse and with cannabis or illicit drug use. The idea is to further characterize different PLEs subtypes in order to discloud their individual nature. Methods. A cross-sectional design was conducted on a sample of 997 university students aged between 19 and 26 years, which belonged to 4 faculties of 2 different universities. Alcohol abuse and cannabis or illicit drug use were assessed using a self-report questionnaire; PLEs were assessed using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. Cases were randomized in order to obtain equipotent groups; then, an analysis of the probable dependence relations between PLEs subtypes and other variables was conducted using analysis of variance models. Results. Persecutory ideas (PI) and bizarre experiences were more frequent within females and non-resident students, moreover PI were more frequent within younger subjects (<20 years). Magical thinking was significantly associated to a more frequent cannabis use in the last year (>1/month). Conclusions. These results confirm usefulness and validity of a “subtype approach” to PLEs. In fact PLEs subtypes may have, not only a different clinical presentation, but even different epidemiological and psychopathological ones.
2012
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/2534926
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 0
  • Scopus 9
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact