Prevalence of psychotic-like experiences and its predictors among early adolescents from rural areas in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Psychotic symptoms are present in a wide range of both clinical and non-clinical populations. Psychotic symptoms in adolescents often take the form of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), which are considered a risk factor for numerous serious mental illnesses. Socioeconomic disadvantages are across rural areas, and poverty is known as the third most important risk factor of PLEs. However, there have been limited studies on PLEs which focus on populations in rural areas.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PLEs and investigate their predictors among early adolescents living in rural areas.

Method: Data from 629 early adolescents from two rural areas in Indonesia were analysed using descriptive statistics to determine the prevalence of PLEs. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictors of PLEs. This was a school-based cross-sectional study, and data were collected using a paper questionnaire.

Results: The results showed that the prevalence of PLEs among early adolescents in rural areas is 24.5%. Four significant predictors of PLEs were identified after controlling for sex: emotional problems, age, the number of caregivers in daily life, and psychological well-being.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• developing country
• mental illness
• psychotic-like experiences
• school-based study