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Childhood Loneliness Linked to Later Psychosis
Childhood loneliness significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing a psychotic episode later in life, particularly in women.
In an observational, case-control study, researchers assessed loneliness in children with the question “Have you ever felt lonely for more than 6 months before the age of 12” and differentiated this from social isolation by using the ‘peer relationships’ item from the Premorbid Adjustment Scale. In women who had experienced a psychotic episode, loneliness in childhood was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of being diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (aOR:0.155, 95% CI [0.048-0.506], p=.002) relative to other forms of psychosis. “The compelling findings of this study, which establish a direct connection between childhood loneliness and the onset of psychosis, highlight a concerning trend and underscore the importance of addressing social connectedness and emotional well-being from an early age,” said Professor Andrea Fiorillo, President Elect of the European Psychiatric Association.
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