Positive and negative psychosis risk symptoms among adolescents in Ghana

Abstract

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) have attracted increased scholarly attention; however, there are limited empirical studies in Africa where environmental risk factors for psychosis such as maltreatment are highly prevalent. The study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of PLEs, as well as the association between PLEs and behavioural maladies among adolescents in Ghana. Data were collected from 553 adolescents (girls = 322, 58.1%) using a cross-sectional survey design. The prevalence of the positive PLEs ranges from 3.8% to 41.2, whereas, for negative PLE, the prevalence ranges from 4.9% to 13% . The PLEs dimensions were significantly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as suicidal tendency. Cluster analysis identified three groups of participants: normative, low risk and high risk for psychosis. The psychosis risk groups significantly reported more PLEs and behavioural maladies, compared with the normative group. This preliminary study suggests that psychosis risk symptoms are prevalent in adolescents in Ghana.

Prevalence of mental, neurological and substance use conditions and case detection at primary healthcare facilities across three districts in Ghana: findings from a cross-sectional health facility survey

“…The prevalence of epilepsy in this study is similar to a previous study involving five sub-Saharan Africa countries including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda which reported prevalence of active epilepsy in the range of 7.8% to 14.8% (42,43). The prevalence of psychosis in the current study is similar to previous studies conducted in Ghana that reported that the prevalence of positive psychotic like experiences range from 3.8% to 41.2% (44,45). The prevalence of alcohol use disorder of 7.8% in the current study is comparable with a previous study in Ghana among students that found alcohol use to be 6.8%, 11.1% and 12.6% for alcohol problem, lifetime drunkenness, and current alcohol use respectively (46), although a higher prevalence of 43% among the youth has been reported with more men using alcohol than women (47).…”

Measurement Invariance of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index: Evidence from 15 European Countries

“…A systematic review of the WHO-5 (including studies on children and adolescents) concluded that “WHO-5 is a short questionnaire consisting of five simple and non-invasive questions, which tap into the mental well-being of the respondents” [ 6 ]. Previous studies on adolescent samples report that the WHO-5 has high internal consistency, with a Cronbach-alpha of 0.70 in Gambia [ 10 ]; 0.82 in the Netherlands [ 11 ]; 0.90 in Malaysia [ 12 ]; and 0.91 in Iran [ 13 ]. The above-cited studies and many other publications demonstrate that all five items load on one latent factor.…”

“…Previous studies report negative correlations between the WHO-5 and other depression screening instruments [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 ], whereas a positive correlation has been reported with life satisfaction or other positive well-being outcomes [ 16 , 18 ]. Several studies of adolescent populations used the WHO-5 as an outcome.…”

Psychotic‐like experiences and adverse life events in young people. Does gender matter?

“…While majority tend to outgrow these experiences; however, a few individuals, the so‐called clinical high risk, tend to be diagnosed with psychotic disorders later in life at a rate higher than that of the general population (Adewuya, Oladipo, Imarah, Asmal, & Emsley, 2022; Fusar‐Poli et al., 2012). Individuals with PLEs are at increased risk of expressing behavioral maladies such as suicidal tendencies, substance misuse, mood problems, and anxiety disorders (Adjorlolo & Anum, 2021; Fusar‐Poli et al., 2012). The tendency for PLEs to convert to psychosis and the gross functional impairment associated with PLEs have served to motivate several research types and intervention initiatives for decades (Soneson et al., 2020; Staines et al., 2022).…”

“…Scholarly interest in PLEs from sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) has emerged, with existing data produced mostly from Kenya (Mamah et al., 2012, 2013, 2016; Ndetei et al., 2012; Owoso et al., 2018), Ghana (Adjorlolo & Anum, 2021; Adjorlolo, Anum, & Adjorlolo, 2021), and Nigeria (Adewuya et al., 2022; Okewole et al., 2015). Altogether, evidence suggest a high prevalence rate of PLEs (i.e.…”