ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is widespread interest in whether psychosis exists on a continuum with healthy functioning. Previous research has implied that paranoia, a common symptom of psychosis, exists on a continuum but this has not been investigated using samples including both patients and non-patients and up-to-date taxometric methods. AIM: To assess the latent structure of paranoia in a diverse sample using taxometric methods. METHOD: We obtained data from 2836 participants, including the general population as well as at-risk mental state and psychotic patients using the P-scale of the Paranoia and Deservedness Scale. Data were analysed using three taxometric procedures, MAMBAC, MAXEIG and L-MODE (Ruscio, 2016), and two sets of paranoia indicators (subscales and selected items from the P scale), including and excluding the patient groups. RESULTS: Eleven of the twelve analyses supported a dimensional model. Using the full sample and subscales as indicators, the MAMBAC analysis was ambiguous. Overall, the findings converged on a dimensional latent structure. CONCLUSIONS: A dimensional latent structure of paranoia implies that the processes involved in sub-clinical paranoia may be similar to those in clinical paranoia.
Subject(s)
Paranoid Behavior/classification , Paranoid Disorders/classification , Adult , Delusions/classification , Female , Humans , Male , Models, Theoretical , Principal Component Analysis , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Psychotic Disorders/classification , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Risk , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to adapt and obtain validity evidence of the Spanish Green Paranoid Thought Scales (S-GPTS). METHOD: 191 Spanish people responded to S-GPTS, Peters Delusions Inventory (PDI), and measures of psychopathology. RESULTS: Principal Component Analyses on the polychoric correlation matrix identified two factors accounting for 71.0% of the cumulative variance. Cronbach alphas for S-GPTS total and its subscales were above .90 in clinical and non-clinical group. The value of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was higher for the S-GPTS (.898), than for the PDI (.859). The best S-GPTS threshold to discriminate between cases and non-cases was 92 (sensitivity, 97.35%; specificity, 65%). S-GPTS scores positively correlated with PDI and measures of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: The S-GPTS has adequate psychometric properties to provide valid measures of delusional ideation in a Spanish population
ANTECEDENTES: el objetivo del presente estudio fue adaptar y obtener evidencias de validez de la versión española de las escalas de pensamiento paranoide de Green (S-GPTS). MÉTODO: 191 participantes españoles respondieron al S-GPTS, al Inventario de Delirios de Peters (PDI) y a medidas de psicopatología.RESULTADOS: el Análisis de Componentes Principales a partir de la matriz de correlaciones policóricas identificó dos factores que explicaban el 71% de la varianza acumulada. El coeficiente α de Cronbach para el S-GPTS y sus subescalas fue superior a .90 en ambos grupos. El valor del área bajo la curva ROC fue más alto para el S-GPTS (.898) que para el PDI (.859). El punto de corte que mejor discriminaba entre el grupo clínico y el no clínico fue 92 (97,35% de sensibilidad, 65% de especificidad). Las puntuaciones del S-GPTS correlacionaron positivamente con el PDI y con medidas de ansiedad y depresión. CONCLUSIONES: el S-GPTS posee propiedades psicométricas adecuadas para proporcionar una medida válida de la ideación delirante en población española
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Paranoid Behavior/complications , Paranoid Behavior/diagnosis , Paranoid Behavior/psychology , Psychopathology/education , Psychopathology/ethics , Paranoid Behavior/classification , Paranoid Behavior/prevention & control , Psychopathology/history , Psychopathology , Spain/ethnologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Multiple complex developmental disorder (MCDD) is a little-known disorder characterized by disturbances in the regulation of emotions, social interactions and thought disorders. Neither the classification system of ICD-10 nor the DSM-IV lists MCDD as an independent disorder. METHODS: The study presents an overview on diagnostic criteria, current research and illustration by a case report of a 17-year-old adolescent. RESULTS: MCDD, autistic disorders and schizophrenic disorders partially overlap. A clear classification or differentiation is currently not clearly possible. CONCLUSIONS: Many open questions remain, and further research is needed.
