The Relationship between Social Exclusion and Paranoid Ideation: Analysis of Moderating and Mediating Effects of Depression and Self-Esteem / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between social exclusion and paranoid ideation, and to explore moderating and mediating effects of depression and self-esteem in that relationship. METHODS: Ninety seven neurosis patients receiving treatment in a psychiatric outpatient setting were selected. Social Exclusion Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, paranoia scale of Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used for evaluation. RESULTS: Social exclusion showed highly positive correlation with paranoid ideation, and had significant influence. Among three types of social exclusion, contempt, bullying, and isolation, only isolation showed significant influence on paranoid ideation. Depression showed a partial mediating effect on that relationship indicating that social exclusion affects paranoid ideation not only directly, but also indirectly. On the other hand, self-esteem showed no moderating or mediating effects on that relationship. CONCLUSION: Depression mediates the influence of social exclusion on paranoid ideation. This finding provides an opportunity to decrease paranoid ideation of neurosis patients by not only prescription of antipsychotic agents but also therapeutic approach to social exclusion and depression. An experimental study to verify these findings seems to be needed.