Understanding the relationship between schematic beliefs, bullying, and unusual experiences in 8-14 year olds

J V Anilmis; C S Stewart; S Roddy; N Hassanali; F Muccio; S Browning; K Bracegirdle; R Corrigall; K R Laurens; C Hirsch; E Kuipers; L Maddox; S Jolley

doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.08.008

Understanding the relationship between schematic beliefs, bullying, and unusual experiences in 8-14 year olds

Eur Psychiatry. 2015 Nov;30(8):920-3. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.08.008. Epub 2015 Oct 6.

Authors

J V Anilmis¹, C S Stewart², S Roddy³, N Hassanali⁴, F Muccio³, S Browning³, K Bracegirdle³, R Corrigall³, K R Laurens⁵, C Hirsch⁶, E Kuipers⁷, L Maddox³, S Jolley⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK. Electronic address: jasmine.anilmis@kcl.ac.uk.
² Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
³ South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁴ Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK.
⁵ National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit (BRC/U), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, London, UK; University of New South Wales, School of Psychiatry, Research Unit for Schizophrenia Epidemiology, Sydney, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
⁶ Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit (BRC/U), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; University of Western Australia, Australia.
⁷ Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit (BRC/U), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

PMID: 26647867
DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.08.008

Abstract

Background: Cognitive models of adult psychosis propose that negative schematic beliefs (NSBs) mediate the established association between victimisation and psychotic symptoms. In childhood, unusual, or psychotic-like, experiences are associated with bullying (a common form of victimisation) and NSBs. This study tests the mediating role of NSBs in the relationship between bullying and distressing unusual experiences (UEDs) in childhood.

Method: Ninety-four 8-14 year olds referred to community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services completed self-report assessments of UEDs, bullying, and NSBs about the self (NS) and others (NO).

Results: Both NS and NO were associated with bullying (NS: r=.40, P<.001; NO: r=.33, P=.002), and with UEDs (NS: r=.51, P<.001; NO: r=.43, P<.001). Both NS and NO significantly mediated the relationship between bullying and UEDs (NS: z=3.15, P=.002; NO: z=2.35, P=.019).

Conclusions: Children's NSBs may mediate the adverse psychological impact of victimisation, and are appropriate treatment targets for young people with UEDs. Early educational intervention to reduce negative appraisals of the self and others may increase resilience to future adverse experiences and reduce later mental health risk.

Keywords: Childhood; Cognitive model; Cognitive therapy; Life event; PLE; Psychotic-like experience.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
Adult
Aggression / psychology
Bullying*
Child
Child Behavior / psychology*
Crime Victims / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Psychotic Disorders / psychology
Self Concept*