Naturalistic Change in Nonclinical Paranoid Experiences

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have shown that paranoia is common in the nonclinical population; however, little research has examined whether nonclinical paranoid beliefs change over time, or considered potential reasons for change. Aims: The aim of the present study was therefore to examine naturalistic change in nonclinical paranoid experiences. Method: 60 participants described an idiosyncratic experience of paranoia, including when it occurred, and rated their experience along four key belief dimensions: preoccupation, impact, distress and conviction. Participants provided two ratings for each dimension, retrospective recall at the time of the occurrence of the paranoid event, and again at the time of the interview. Participants were also asked to provide qualitative descriptions of reasons for change in belief dimensions. Results: Participants described paranoid experiences that had occurred over a large timeframe (1 day-25 years). Reductions across all four belief dimensions were found, and seven key themes emerged following qualitative analysis of the participants’ reason for change in response to the paranoid event. Conclusions: The findings highlight a number of factors associated with reported naturalistic changes in belief dimensions of conviction, distress, preoccupation and impact, which might be useful in enhancing interventions for clinical and nonclinical paranoia, and in helping to build models to account for why people showing clear paranoid ideation do, or do not, go on to develop clinical paranoia.