The mental and physical health correlates of psychotic experiences among US college students: Findings from the Healthy Mind Study 2020

Hans Oh, Rachel Banawa, Sasha Zhou, Jordan DeVylder, Ai Koyanagi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Psychotic experiences have been framed as a marker of mental and physical health status; however, more research is needed to confirm these associations in university populations. Methods: We analyzed data from the Healthy Minds Survey (Fall Semester Cohort 2020), which is a non-probability sample of students attending one of 28 universities in the United States, who completed an online survey (September 2020–December 2020). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the associations between several mental and physical health conditions and psychotic experiences, adjusting for age, gender, sexual orientation race/ethnicity, and international student status. Results: In terms of mental health, all conditions were associated with greater odds of having lifetime psychotic experiences. Having at least one mental health condition was associated with 2.18 times greater odds of having lifetime psychotic experiences (aOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.96–2.42). In terms of physical health, having at least one physical health condition was associated with 1.37 times greater odds of having lifetime psychotic experiences (aOR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.22–1.53), but only four conditions were associated with greater odds of lifetime psychotic experiences, which were: asthma, gastrointestinal disease, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic disease. The counts of mental and physical health conditions were associated with greater odds of lifetime psychotic experiences in a dose-dependent fashion. Conclusion: Psychotic experiences appear to be an indicator for mental health problems and some physical health problems. More research is needed to determine whether assessing for psychotic experiences broadly can help identify at-risk individuals in university settings who may benefit from targeted preventive interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)834-840
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of American College Health
Volume72
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Chronic conditions
  • health
  • mental health
  • psychotic experiences

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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