Delusions in first-episode psychosis: Principal component analysis of twelve types of delusions and demographic and clinical correlates of resulting domains

Although delusions represent one of the core symptoms of psychotic disorders, it is remarkable that few studies have investigated distinct delusional themes. We analyzed data from a large sample of first-episode psychosis patients (n=245) to understand relations between delusion types and demographi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research Vol. 243; pp. 5 - 13
Main Authors: Paolini, Enrico, Moretti, Patrizia, Compton, Michael T.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 30.09.2016
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Childhood adversities
Delusions
Delusions - diagnosis
Delusions - epidemiology
Delusions - psychology
Demography - methods
Depression
Drugs of abuse
Female
Hallucinations
Hallucinations - diagnosis
Hallucinations - epidemiology
Hallucinations - psychology
Humans
Male
Paranoia
Paranoid Behavior - diagnosis
Paranoid Behavior - psychology
Persecutory delusions
Principal Component Analysis
Psychiatry
Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis
Psychotic Disorders - epidemiology
Psychotic Disorders - psychology
Young Adult
Persecutory delusions
Paranoia
Delusions
Hallucinations
Depression
Drugs of abuse
Childhood adversities
ISSN:0165-1781, 1872-7123
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Although delusions represent one of the core symptoms of psychotic disorders, it is remarkable that few studies have investigated distinct delusional themes. We analyzed data from a large sample of first-episode psychosis patients (n=245) to understand relations between delusion types and demographic and clinical correlates. First, we conducted a principal component analysis (PCA) of the 12 delusion items within the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS). Then, using the domains derived via PCA, we tested a priori hypotheses and answered exploratory research questions related to delusional content. PCA revealed five distinct components: Delusions of Influence, Grandiose/Religious Delusions, Paranoid Delusions, Negative Affect Delusions (jealousy, and sin or guilt), and Somatic Delusions. The most prevalent type of delusion was Paranoid Delusions, and such delusions were more common at older ages at onset of psychosis. The level of Delusions of Influence was correlated with the severity of hallucinations and negative symptoms. We ascertained a general relationship between different childhood adversities and delusional themes, and a specific relationship between Somatic Delusions and childhood neglect. Moreover, we found higher scores on Delusions of Influence and Negative Affect Delusions among cannabis and stimulant users. Our results support considering delusions as varied experiences with varying prevalences and correlates. •Paranoid Delusions were the most prevalent delusions in first-episode patients.•Paranoid Delusions were more common among those with a later age at onset.•Delusions of Influence were associated with hallucinations and negative symptoms.•Childhood neglect was associated with the presence of Somatic Delusions•Childhood exposure to violence and abuse correlated with most domains of delusions.•Cannabis/cocaine had greater Delusions of Influence and Negative Affect Delusions.
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ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.06.002