TY - JOUR
T1 - The temporal association between social isolation, distress, and psychotic experiences in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis
AU - Akcaoglu, Zeynep
AU - Vaessen, Thomas
AU - Velthorst, Eva
AU - Lafit, Ginette
AU - Achterhof, Robin
AU - Nelson, Barnaby
AU - McGorry, Patrick
AU - Schirmbeck, Frederike
AU - Morgan, Craig
AU - Hartmann, Jessica
AU - van der Gaag, Mark
AU - de Haan, Lieuwe
AU - Valmaggia, Lucia
AU - McGuire, Philip
AU - Kempton, Matthew
AU - Steinhart, Henrietta
AU - Klippel, Annelie
AU - Viechtbauer, Wolfgang
AU - Batink, Tim
AU - van Winkel, Ruud
AU - van Amelsvoort, Thérèse
AU - Marcelis, Machteld
AU - van Aubel, Evelyne
AU - Reininghaus, Ulrich
AU - Myin-Germeys, Inez
AU - EU-GEI High Risk Study
PY - 2024/6/1
Y1 - 2024/6/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: Psychotic experiences (PEs) and social isolation (SI) seem related during early stages of psychosis, but the temporal dynamics between the two are not clear. Literature so far suggests a self-perpetuating cycle wherein momentary increases in PEs lead to social withdrawal, which, subsequently, triggers PEs at a next point in time, especially when SI is associated with increased distress. The current study investigated the daily-life temporal associations between SI and PEs, as well as the role of SI-related and general affective distress in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. METHODS: We used experience sampling methodology in a sample of 137 CHR participants. We analyzed the association between SI, PEs, and distress using time-lagged linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: SI did not predict next-moment fluctuations in PEs, or vice versa. Furthermore, although SI-related distress was not predictive of subsequent PEs, general affective distress during SI was a robust predictor of next-moment PEs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SI and PEs are not directly related on a moment-to-moment level, but a negative emotional state when alone does contribute to the risk of PEs. These findings highlight the role of affective wellbeing during early-stage psychosis development.
AB - BACKGROUND: Psychotic experiences (PEs) and social isolation (SI) seem related during early stages of psychosis, but the temporal dynamics between the two are not clear. Literature so far suggests a self-perpetuating cycle wherein momentary increases in PEs lead to social withdrawal, which, subsequently, triggers PEs at a next point in time, especially when SI is associated with increased distress. The current study investigated the daily-life temporal associations between SI and PEs, as well as the role of SI-related and general affective distress in individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. METHODS: We used experience sampling methodology in a sample of 137 CHR participants. We analyzed the association between SI, PEs, and distress using time-lagged linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: SI did not predict next-moment fluctuations in PEs, or vice versa. Furthermore, although SI-related distress was not predictive of subsequent PEs, general affective distress during SI was a robust predictor of next-moment PEs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SI and PEs are not directly related on a moment-to-moment level, but a negative emotional state when alone does contribute to the risk of PEs. These findings highlight the role of affective wellbeing during early-stage psychosis development.
KW - Clinical high-risk
KW - Distress
KW - Experience sampling methodology
KW - Negative affect
KW - Psychotic experiences
KW - Social isolation
KW - Solitary stress
U2 - 10.1017/s0033291723003598
DO - 10.1017/s0033291723003598
M3 - Article
C2 - 38179659
SN - 0033-2917
VL - 54
SP - 1684
EP - 1692
JO - Psychological Medicine
JF - Psychological Medicine
IS - 8
ER -