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Psychotic experiences are associated with health anxiety and functional somatic symptoms in preadolescence
Author(s) -
Rimvall Martin K.,
Jespersen Cecilia Pihl,
Clemmensen Lars,
Munkholm Anja,
Skovgaard Anne Mette,
Verhulst Frank,
Os Jim,
Rask Charlotte Ulrikka,
Jeppesen Pia
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/jcpp.12986
Subject(s) - psychopathology , anxiety , psychology , psychosis , psychiatry , preadolescence , cohort , population , clinical psychology , cohort study , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , anxiety disorder , medicine , developmental psychology , environmental health
Background Health anxiety ( HA ) is an increasing public health problem related to increased health service costs, and associated with functional somatic symptoms ( FSS ) and considerable personal suffering. Abnormal bodily experiences which may resemble HA and FSS are common in psychotic disorders, but a potential link between HA and psychosis vulnerability in childhood is largely unexplored. The current study estimates the association between subclinical psychotic experiences ( PE ) and HA and FSS in a general population cohort of preadolescents. Methods The study population consisted of 1,572 11–12‐year‐old children from the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000. PE were comprehensibly assessed as either present or not present using the Kiddie Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia psychosis section. HA and FSS were assessed by self‐report on validated questionnaires. Additional variables on general psychopathology, puberty, and chronic somatic illness were also obtained. Results Psychotic experiences were associated with the top 10% high scores of HA (Odds Ratio ( OR ) 3.2; 95% CI : 2.1–4.8) and FSS ( OR 4.6; 95% CI : 3.1–6.9) in univariate analyses. After mutual adjustment, the association was reduced to ( HA : OR 2.3; 95% CI : 1.5–3.5; FSS : OR 3.7; 95% CI : 2.4–4.7), suggesting interdependence. Further adjustment for potential confounders and general psychopathology only reduced the associations slightly: HA OR 2.2 (95% CI : 1.4–3.4); FSS OR 3.3 (95% CI : 2.1–5.2). Secondary analyses of subdimensions of HA showed that PE were associated with fears ( OR 3.0; 95% CI : 2.0–4.6) and daily impact of HA symptoms ( OR 5.0; 95% CI : 3.4–7.5), but not help seeking ( OR 1.2; 95% CI : 0.7–2.1). Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the associations between PE and HA and FSS , respectively. PE were significantly associated with HA and FSS over and above general psychopathology in preadolescence. Individuals with PE expressed high levels of health‐related fears and daily impact, but no corresponding help‐seeking behavior.