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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2015

J.V. Anilmis*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK
C.S. Stewart
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
S. Roddy
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
N. Hassanali
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK
F. Muccio
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
S. Browning
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
K. Bracegirdle
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
R. Corrigall
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
K.R. Laurens
Affiliation:
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
C. Hirsch
Affiliation:
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
E. Kuipers
Affiliation:
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
L. Maddox
Affiliation:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
S. Jolley
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK
*
Corresponding author at: Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, SE5 9RJ London, UK. E-mail address: [email protected] (J.V. Anilmis).
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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.

Type
Original article
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2020

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