Citation

Sun M, Wang D, Jing L, Zhou L. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23(1): e521.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s12888-023-05025-y

PMID

37468833

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown the strong association between psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and suicide. However, the predictive role of PLEs in suicidal ideation (SI) during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the association between PLEs before the pandemic and SI during the pandemic among late adolescents.

METHODS: A total of 938 technical secondary school and college students completed both waves of the online survey before and during the pandemic. PLEs were assessed through the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. SI was evaluated by the frequency of SI during the pandemic.

RESULTS: In early stage of the pandemic, most students had low frequent SI, and only 3.3% students showed high frequent SI. Compared to the low frequent group, the high frequent group exhibited significantly higher levels of PLEs (p < 0.001) and scored lower in resilience (p = .001) and perceived social support (p = .008) across the two timepoints. PLEs were significantly associated with higher risk of high frequent SI (OR = 2.56, 95%: 1.07-6.13), while better resilience (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.99) and stronger perceived social support (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99) appeared to be protective factors. No interactions were found among PLEs and other psychosocial and psychological factors.

CONCLUSIONS: PLEs may increase the risk of SI in early stage of the pandemic, while good resilience and adequate social support can help weaken the risk.

Language: en

Keywords

Students; Young adults; Suicide; Fear; Resilience; Psychotic-like experiences; Social support