BACKGROUND: Psychotic experiences (PEs) are
common in childhood and adolescence and their association with mental
disorders is well-established. We aim to conduct a quantitative
synthesis the literature on the relationship between childhood and
adolescent PEs and (i) any mental disorder; and (ii) specific categories
of mental disorder, while stratifying by study design.METHOD: Three
electronic databases (PUBMED, PsycINFO and EMBASE) were searched from
inception to August 2017 for all the published literature on childhood
and adolescent PEs and mental disorder (outcome) in non-help-seeking
community samples. Study quality was assessed using a recognised quality
assessment tool for observational studies. Two authors conducted
independent data extraction. Pooled odds ratios were calculated for
mental disorders using random-effects models. Additional analyses were
conducted investigating different categories of mental disorder while
stratifying by study design.RESULTS: Fourteen studies
from 13 community samples (n = 29 517) were identified with 9.8% of
participants reporting PEs. PEs were associated with a three-fold
increased risk of any mental disorder [odds ratio (OR) 3.08, confidence
interval (CI) 2.26-4.21, k = 12]. PEs were associated with four-fold
increase risk of psychotic disorder (OR 3.96, CI 2.03-7.73,
population-attributable-fraction: 23.2%, k = 5). In addition, PEs were
associated with an increased risk of affective disorders, anxiety
disorders, behavioural disorders and substance-use disorders. Few
longitudinal studies have investigated childhood and adolescent PEs and
subsequent non-psychotic disorders which limited a meaningful synthesis
and interpretation of these results.CONCLUSION: This
meta-analysis confirms that PEs are prevalent in childhood and
adolescent community samples and are associated with a variety of mental
disorders beyond psychotic disorders. Further longitudinal research is
necessary to fully determine the longitudinal relationship between PEs
and non-psychotic disorders.</div