The association between general psychological distress and delusional-like experiences: a large population-based study

Abstract

Background: Delusional-like experiences (DLE) are prevalent in the community, and are associated with the both clinical and subclinical depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to explore the association between general psychological distress and DLE adjusting for the presence of psychiatric disorders in a large population-based sample.

Methods: Subjects were drawn from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 (n=8841). DLE were assessed using a modified World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) schedule, and psychological distress was measured using the Kessler-10 (K10) short questionnaire. We examined the relationship between DLE and quartiles of K10 scores using logistic regression, adjusting for depression and anxiety disorders, and other potential confounding factors. The analyses were also repeated in the subgroup of the sample who were free of lifetime clinical diagnoses.

Results: Of the participants, 776 (8.4%) endorsed one or more DLE. Individuals with moderate and severe psychological distress were two to three times more likely to endorse DLE. The association remained significant after adjusting for potential confounding factors, and in the subgroup of the population who remained after excluding those who met criteria for lifetime diagnosis for any mental disorder.

Conclusion: While DLE have traditionally been associated with psychotic disorders, our results suggest that they are associated with non-specific psychological distress in otherwise-well individuals.