Psychotic Experiences in Young Adults

Rationale: This research project is the third, 17-year, follow-up assessment of a population-based survey of auditory hallucinations (AH) in 7- and 8-year-old children.
Objective: Aim of this assessment is to explore the course (persistence, remission and onset) of AH and to investigate associations with other psychic experiences, anxiety and depressive symptoms, risk factors (trauma, cannabis), protective factors (coping strategies, resilience, optimism, self-esteem) and social functioning. In addition, associations with (onset of) psychiatric diagnoses and health care consumption will be explored.
Study design: The assessment will consist of a web-based assessment and a face-to-face diagnostic interview.
Study population: We aim to include as many participants as possible of the total baseline case-control sample (n=694). Participants will be 24/25 years old at the time of this fourth assessment.
Main study parameters/endpoints: Main study parameters are (i) the percentage of persistence, remission and onset of AH and (ii) the associations of AH with other psychic experiences, anxiety and depressive symptoms, risk factors, protective factors and social functioning, and (iii) psychiatric diagnoses and health care consumption.
Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: We assume the burden of the single assessment will be minimal. The number of questions amounts to 257 at most, whereas the web-based assessment will be quite comfortable for young adults. One very small risk might be the nature of some questions, i.e. those about trauma. However, where in patients with a psychotic disorder this might be recognized as a minor risk factor for eliciting a psychotic episode, there is no evidence that such is happening often. In practice, patients are mostly relieved to talk about traumatic experiences as a possible explanation for their psychotic disorder (or AH), rather than that the questions will induce a psychosis. Therefore, we assume that this risk in a general population sample is negligible. Likewise, the diagnostic interview does not involve a risk. At the end of the diagnostic interview, the name and telephone number of the principal investigator will be given, in case later any questions, worries, or need for help may arise. In addition, when a participant mentions problems during the interview, the interviewer can advise to contact the general practitioner.

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The current study is the 4th assessment

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