Psychotic- like experiences (PLEs) and trauma in adolescents: the role of PLEs' persistence and distress in overall psychological burden

ABSTRACT Background Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) have been recognized as having clinical relevance for predicting psychopathological outcomes. Adverse childhood experiences may contribute to the development of these experiences. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between trauma and PLEs and the role of PLEs’ persistence and accompanying distress in adolescents’ overall psychological burden. Methods 71 adolescents (12–18 years) who were under institutional protection and a community sample of 48 adolescents completed the community assessment of psychic experience (CAPE), the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), and the traumatic events questionnaire. Results Previous experience of more traumatic events was significantly associated with greater frequency (r= 0.29, p<0.01) and distress (r= 0.19, p<0.05) in positive dimension and greater frequency in depressive (r= 0.37, p<0.001) and CAPE’s total score (r= 0.31, p<0.01). There were significant positive correlations between CAPE’s total frequency and distress and total SDQ (r= 0.73, p<0.001; r= 0.31, p<0.01 respectively). Discussion Traumatic events are related with more frequent and distressful PLEs. Accompanying distress and PLEs’ persistence were found to have an impact in adolescents’ psychological burden. Mental health professionals should carefully record any history of traumatic events in adolescents’ life, especially to those with frequent and distressing PLEs and vice-versa.