The predictive role of psychotic-like experiences in suicidal ideation among technical secondary school and college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Background Previous research has shown the strong association between psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and suicide. However, the predictive role of PLEs in suicidal ideation (SI) during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear. Aims This study aimed to explore the association between PLEs before the pandemic and SI during the pandemic among late adolescents. Methods A total of 938 technical secondary school and college students completed both waves of the online survey before and during the pandemic. PLEs were assessed through the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. SI was evaluated by the frequency of SI during the pandemic. Results In early stage of the pandemic, most students had low frequent SI, and only 3.3% students showed high frequent SI. Compared to the low frequent group, the high frequent group exhibited significantly higher levels of PLEs (p < 0.001) and scored lower in resilience (p = .001) and perceived social support (p = .008) across the two timepoints. PLEs were significantly associated with higher risk of high frequent SI (OR = 2.56, 95%: 1.07–6.13), while better resilience (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.99) and stronger perceived social support (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.99) appeared to be protective factors. No interactions were found among PLEs and other psychosocial and psychological factors. Conclusions PLEs may increase the risk of SI in early stage of the pandemic, while good resilience and adequate social support can help weaken the risk.