Background: Psychotic-like Experiences (PLE) represent a heterogeneous group of subclinical phenomena that have been associated with traumatic and dissociative symptoms. However, an open question is whether the phenotypic heterogeneity of PLEs could be differentially associated with dissociative or traumatic symptoms. In this study we aim to examine potential latent classes among individuals endorsing PLEs and to assess the specificity of dissociative and post-traumatic symptoms for each class. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1010 high school students (49.85% female, mean age=18.07, sd=0.65). PLEs, PTSD, Complex PTSD (cPTSD) and dissociative symptoms were assessed using the Prodromal Questionnaire-16 items (PQ-16), the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and the Dissociative Experience scale – Taxon (DES-T). We conducted a series of latent class analyses (LCA) on PQ-16 items, defining the optimal class number by Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC). Class membership was determined based on posterior LC probability. Subsequently, we fitted a series of regression analyses on the PQ-16 total score, with ITQ-corePTSD (i.e. re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal), ITQ-DSO (i.e. emotional dysregulation, negative self-concept and disturbance in relationships), and DES-T as independent variables, separately for each latent class. Results: The 3-latent class solution had the lowest BIC and was thus retained for subsequent analysis. Class 1 (n=664; 66.67%) had low overall PLEs; class 2 (n=290; 29.12%) had medium severity interpersonal anxiety/paranoia and class 3 (N=42; 4.16%) had high overall PLEs. The regression analyses showed that corePTSD score was associated to PQ-16 total score in classes 1 and 2 (b=0.18 [0.14, 0.22] and b= 0.22 [0.14, 0.29]) but not in class 3 (b=0.17 [-0.18, 0.52]; DSO symptoms were associated with PQ-16 total score in all of the three classes (class 1 b=0.2 [0.15, 0.25]; class 2 b=0.22 [0.15, 0.29]; class 3 b=0.33 [0.06, 0.61]). DES-T score was associated with PQ-16 in classes 1 and 2 only (b=0.87 [0.62, 1.12] and b=0.78 [0.40, 1.16]. Discussion: With this study, we highlighted three latent classes of PLEs that are differentially associated with PTSD/cPTSD and dissociative symptoms. These results could help provide a more detailed clinical profile of traumatized individuals endorsing PLEs, which could help provide individualized psychological treatments.
Latent classes of psychotic-like experiences and their association with PTSD/cPTSD symptoms
Adriano Schimmenti
2024-01-01
Abstract
Background: Psychotic-like Experiences (PLE) represent a heterogeneous group of subclinical phenomena that have been associated with traumatic and dissociative symptoms. However, an open question is whether the phenotypic heterogeneity of PLEs could be differentially associated with dissociative or traumatic symptoms. In this study we aim to examine potential latent classes among individuals endorsing PLEs and to assess the specificity of dissociative and post-traumatic symptoms for each class. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 1010 high school students (49.85% female, mean age=18.07, sd=0.65). PLEs, PTSD, Complex PTSD (cPTSD) and dissociative symptoms were assessed using the Prodromal Questionnaire-16 items (PQ-16), the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and the Dissociative Experience scale – Taxon (DES-T). We conducted a series of latent class analyses (LCA) on PQ-16 items, defining the optimal class number by Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC). Class membership was determined based on posterior LC probability. Subsequently, we fitted a series of regression analyses on the PQ-16 total score, with ITQ-corePTSD (i.e. re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal), ITQ-DSO (i.e. emotional dysregulation, negative self-concept and disturbance in relationships), and DES-T as independent variables, separately for each latent class. Results: The 3-latent class solution had the lowest BIC and was thus retained for subsequent analysis. Class 1 (n=664; 66.67%) had low overall PLEs; class 2 (n=290; 29.12%) had medium severity interpersonal anxiety/paranoia and class 3 (N=42; 4.16%) had high overall PLEs. The regression analyses showed that corePTSD score was associated to PQ-16 total score in classes 1 and 2 (b=0.18 [0.14, 0.22] and b= 0.22 [0.14, 0.29]) but not in class 3 (b=0.17 [-0.18, 0.52]; DSO symptoms were associated with PQ-16 total score in all of the three classes (class 1 b=0.2 [0.15, 0.25]; class 2 b=0.22 [0.15, 0.29]; class 3 b=0.33 [0.06, 0.61]). DES-T score was associated with PQ-16 in classes 1 and 2 only (b=0.87 [0.62, 1.12] and b=0.78 [0.40, 1.16]. Discussion: With this study, we highlighted three latent classes of PLEs that are differentially associated with PTSD/cPTSD and dissociative symptoms. These results could help provide a more detailed clinical profile of traumatized individuals endorsing PLEs, which could help provide individualized psychological treatments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
