Psychotic-like experiences in a community sample of adolescents: implications for the continuum model of psychosis and prediction of schizophrenia.

Objective: Studies conducted in community samples suggest that psychotic-like experiences are common in the general population, leading to suggestions that they are either variations of normal personality or are different expressions of underlying vulnerability to psychotic disorder. Different types of psychotic symptoms may exist, some being normal variants and some having implications for mental health and functioning. The aim of the present study was to determine if different subtypes of psychotic-like experiences could be identified in a community sample of adolescents and to investigate if particular subtypes were more likely to be associated with psychosocial difficulties, that is, distress, depression and poor functioning, than other subtypes.

A factor analytic investigation of the Tripartite model of affect in a clinical sample of young Australians.

Background: The Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ) was designed to specifically measure the Tripartite model of affect and is proposed to offer a delineation between the core components of anxiety and depression. Factor analytic data from adult clinical samples has shown mixed results; however no studies employing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) have supported the predicted structure of distinct Depression, Anxiety and General Distress factors. The Tripartite model has not been validated in a clinical sample of older adolescents and young adults.

Motives for substance use among young people seeking mental health treatment.

Aims: To explore substance use motives among young people seeking mental health treatment.

Methods: Participants consisted of 103 young people seeking mental health treatment, who had used drugs or alcohol in the past year. The young people completed a 42-item substance use motives measure based on the Drinking Motives Measure for their most frequently used substance in the past year.

Identifying the ultra-high risk (prodromal) population: evaluation of training workshops with mental health services.

Objective: Recent years have witnessed widespread interest in the early phase of psychotic disorders. The most widely used approach to identify individuals in the prodromal phase is the ultra-high risk (UHR) approach, which combines known trait and state risk factors for psychotic disorder. The Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation Clinic introduced the Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental States (CAARMS) in order to assess UHR status.

Impact of co-occurring substance use on 6 month outcomes for young people seeking mental health treatment.

Objective: Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are highly prevalent among young people attending services, yet few studies have examined the effect of such comorbidity among those referred for treatment. The aim of the current study was to examine the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) on 6 month outcomes for young people seeking mental health treatment.

Method: One hundred and six young people (aged 15-24 years) with a non-psychotic DSM-IV Axis I disorder were assessed following referral to a specialist youth public mental health service.

Clinical utility of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ) in a sample of young help-seekers.

Background: The overlap between Depression and Anxiety has led some researchers to conclude that they are manifestations of a broad, non-specific neurotic disorder. However, others believe that they can be distinguished despite sharing symptoms of general distress. The Tripartite Model of Affect proposes an anxiety-specific, a depression-specific and a shared symptoms factor.

Distinguishing between anxiety and depression using the Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire (MASQ).

Objective: To examine the discriminant validity of the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ) in a sample of young help-seekers.

Method: 136 young people referred to a psychiatric service completed a diagnostic interview and the MASQ.

Results: Participants were classified according to diagnostic status: Mood Only; Anxiety Only; Mixed Anxiety-Depression; Other DSM-IV Disorder; and No Axis-I Disorder.

Association between psychotic experiences and depression in a clinical sample over 6 months.

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are used to identify individuals considered to be at Ultra High Risk (UHR) of, or prodromal for, psychotic disorder. They are also common in the general population and in clinical samples of non-psychotic individuals. Depression has been found to be an important factor in mediating outcome in those with PLEs in both community and UHR populations.

Psychotic-like experiences in nonpsychotic help-seekers: associations with distress, depression, and disability.

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) increase the risk of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders yet are common in the community. Some PLEs, such as those associated with depression, distress, and poor functioning, may confer increased risk. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of PLEs in a nonpsychotic clinical sample and to investigate whether any subtypes of PLEs are associated with the above factors.