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Youth

Psychotic Experiences in Detained Juveniles Explained by Trauma and Substance Use

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

High rates of psychotic experiences have been reported among detained adolescents, but the significance of these experiences remains poorly understood. A new study conducted by researchers at Ghent University in Belgium sought to examine whether these experiences could be explained by substance use and/or traumatic experiences. The study found that psychotic experiences in detained adolescents may be explained by trauma and substance use, with trauma-related variables showing a preponderance in predicting the number of psychotic experiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 231 detained adolescents and used the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children to assess psychotic experiences, life-threatening events, and substance use.
  • Univariate logistic regression analyses found a positive association between having psychotic experiences and substance-related and trauma-related variables.
  • After building best-fitting models, logistic regression analyses demonstrated a preponderance of trauma-related over substance-related variables in predicting the number of psychotic experiences.
  • The study found that paranoia-related experiences were particularly associated with emotional abuse.
  • The findings suggest that psychotic experiences in detained adolescents may be explained by trauma and substance use.

Statistics:

  • 231 detained adolescents participated in the study.
  • The Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children was used to assess psychotic experiences, life-threatening events, and substance use in 231 detained adolescents.
  • Univariate logistic regression analyses found a significant positive association between having psychotic experiences and substance-related (e.g. past year intense marihuana use) and trauma-related (e.g. emotional abuse) variables.
  • Logistic regression analyses demonstrated a preponderance of trauma-related over substance-related variables in predicting the number of psychotic experiences (i.e. 0, 1-2, 2).

Sources:

  • Colins, O., et al. (2009). Are psychotic experiences among detained juvenile offenders explained by trauma and substance use? Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 100(1-2), 39-46.
  • Ghent University. (publisher).

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