Delusion-like experiences are related to negative perceptions of self and others in non-clinical individuals

ABSTRACT

Background

Delusions are a core feature of psychosis and are thought to exist on a continuum from healthy individuals to clinical populations. This study examined the relationship between delusion-like experiences, using the Peters Delusional Inventory (PDI), and two aspects of personal worldview: core schemas (positive and negative views of the self and others) and locus of control (LOC).

Methods

258 healthy participants without a history of psychiatric illness completed an online survey assessing these constructs. Stepwise regression controlling for age and negative affect, revealed that negative self-schemas significantly predicted the presence of delusion–like experiences whilst negative schemas of others significantly predicted both the presence of delusion–like experiences and associated levels of distress and preoccupation.

Results

Positive schemas did not relate to delusions as measured by the PDI. Hierarchical regression demonstrated that LOC did not significantly predict delusion–like experiences.

Discussion

The findings highlight that negative schemas of others may be more critically related to delusional experiences than negative self-schemas. Replication in clinical samples is required, while some implications for future research and clinical interventions in prodromal psychosis are examined.

KEYWORDS:

• Delusions
• personality
• schemas
• locus of control
• schizotypy
• prodromal psychosis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia [GNT1142424, GNT1154651]. SLR (GNT1154651) and EJT (GNT 1142424) are in receipt of Senior and Early Career Research Fellowships respectively from the National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia.