Association between locus of control in childhood and psychotic symptoms in early adolescence: Results from a large birth cohort

Abstract

Introduction. Specific attributional styles have been demonstrated in individuals with psychotic disorders and are implicated in the development of psychotic symptoms. We aimed to examine the association between locus of control (LOC) assessed in childhood and psychotic symptoms reported in early adolescence.

Methods. We used a prospective longitudinal design using data from a large birth cohort (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, ALPSAC). 6455 subjects completed a semistructured clinical interview assessing 12 individual psychotic symptoms at a mean age of 12.9 years. A measure of LOC was previously collected in the cohort at the age of 8.

Results. Children who reported an externalised LOC at age 8 were at increased risk of reporting both broadly defined (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.08) and narrowly defined (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.67) psychotic symptoms at age 13 years. These associations were only slightly attenuated after adjustment for potential confounders. The associations were similar for broadly defined specific paranoid symptoms but weaker for narrowly defined specific paranoid symptoms.

Conclusions. An externalised LOC appears to be associated with later reporting of psychotic symptoms in early adolescence. Further investigation of the role of attributional styles, such as LOC, in increasing the risk for psychotic disorders, is warranted.

Keywords:

• Attributional style
• Birth cohort
• Locus of control
• Psychotic symptoms

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to all the families who took part in this study, the midwives for their help in recruiting them, and the whole ALSPAC team, which includes interviewers, computer and laboratory technicians, clerical workers, research scientists, volunteers, managers, receptionists, and nurses. All authors report no competing interests. All the authors had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. The UK Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and the University of Bristol provide core support for ALSPAC. The Wellcome Trust funded this research (Grant no. 072043). This publication is the work of the authors who will serve as guarantors for the contents of this paper.