A Longitudinal Network of Psychotic-like Experiences, Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms, and Adverse Life Events: a Cohort Study of 3,358 College Students

Overview

Journal Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Specialties Psychiatry
Public Health

Date 2024 Nov 18

PMID 39555751

Authors

Meng Sun

Heng Sun

Zijuan Ma

Shaoling Zhong

Xinhu Yang

Yue Li

Hongling Zhou

Liang Zhou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aims: Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), especially for persistent PLEs, are highly predictive of subsequent mental health problems. Hence, it is crucial to explore the psychopathological associations underlying the occurrence and persistence of PLEs. This study aimed to explore the above issues through a longitudinal dynamic network approach among PLEs and psychological and psychosocial factors.

Methods: A total of 3,358 college students completed two waves of online survey (from Oct 2021 to Oct 2022). Socio-demographic information was collected at baseline, and PLEs, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and adverse life events were assessed in both waves. Cross-lagged panel network analyses were used to establish networks among individuals with baseline PLEs as well as those without.

Results: At baseline, 455(13.5%) students were screened positive for PLEs. Distinct dynamic network structures were revealed among participants with baseline PLEs and those without. While 'psychomotor disturbance' had the strongest connection with PLEs in participants with baseline PLEs, 'suicide/self-harm' was most associated with PLEs in those without. Among all three subtypes of PLEs, bizarre experiences and persecutory ideation were the most affected nodes by other constructs in participants with baseline PLEs and those without, respectively. Additionally, wide interconnections within the PLEs construct existed only among participants without baseline PLEs.

Conclusions: The study provides time-variant associations between PLEs and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and adverse life events using network structures. These findings help to reveal the crucial markers of the occurrence and persistence of PLEs, and shed high light on future intervention aimed to prevent and relieve PLEs.

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