Dimensional psychotic experiences in adolescence: Evidence from a taxometric study of a community-based sample. (30th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Mark J.; Freeman, Daniel; Ronald, Angelica
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 241(2016)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2016-07-30
• Subjects: Psychosis -- Taxon -- Adolescence; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: Psychotic experiences of varying severity levels are common in adolescence. It is not known whether beyond a certain severity in the general population, psychotic experiences represent a categorically distinct phenomena to milder psychotic experiences. We employed taxometric analytic procedures to determine whether psychotic experiences in adolescence are taxonic (i.e. categorical) or dimensional. Six different psychotic experiences were assessed in a community sample of approximately 5000 adolescents. Three taxometric procedures were conducted. Across all procedures, there was no evidence of a taxon (i.e. a separate latent population) underlying psychotic experiences in adolescence. Rather, a dimensional structure was supported. The results support the notion that psychotic experiences are continuously distributed throughout the general population, and there is no clear discontinuity between milder and more severe psychotic experiences. Thus, these findings support the use of dimensional approaches to understanding psychotic experiences in etiological studies. In clinical practice, categorical cut-offs are needed: the present findings show that a 'natural' break point is not present for identifying severe psychotic experiences, and it is likely therefore that other criteria (such as general functioning) might better aid decision-making with regards to identifying individuals with severe psychotic experiences in need of care during adolescence. Highlights: It is unclear if milder and severe psychotic experiences are categorically distinct. Taxometric analyses tested the structure of adolescent psychotic experiences. Adolescent psychotic experiences appeared to be dimensional, as opposed to taxonic. This study suggests no clear 'break' between mild and severe psychotic experiences.