title: Delusions in first-episode psychosis: Principal component analysis of twelve types of delusions and demographic and clinical correlates of resulting domains.
abstract: Although delusions represent one of the core symptoms of psychotic disorders, it is remarkable that few studies have investigated distinct delusional themes. We analyzed data from a large sample of first-episode psychosis patients (n=245) to understand relations between delusion types and demographic and clinical correlates. First, we conducted a principal component analysis (PCA) of the 12 delusion items within the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS). Then, using the domains derived via PCA, we tested a priori hypotheses and answered exploratory research questions related to delusional content. PCA revealed five distinct components: Delusions of Influence, Grandiose/Religious Delusions, Paranoid Delusions, Negative Affect Delusions (jealousy, and sin or guilt), and Somatic Delusions. The most prevalent type of delusion was Paranoid Delusions, and such delusions were more common at older ages at onset of psychosis. The level of Delusions of Influence was correlated with the severity of hallucinations and negative symptoms. We ascertained a general relationship between different childhood adversities and delusional themes, and a specific relationship between Somatic Delusions and childhood neglect. Moreover, we found higher scores on Delusions of Influence and Negative Affect Delusions among cannabis and stimulant users. Our results support considering delusions as varied experiences with varying prevalences and correlates.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Perugia, PG, Italy; Lenox Hill Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: enricopaolini85@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Rehabilitation, University of Perugia, Perugia, PG, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: Lenox Hill Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA; Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Hempstead, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Compton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003710:Demography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010258:Paranoid Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Childhood adversities; Delusions; Depression; Drugs of abuse; Hallucinations; Paranoia; Persecutory delusions