@article{ref1,
title="Prodromal psychotic symptoms and psychological distress among secondary school students in Abeokuta, Nigeria",
journal="Journal of child and adolescent mental health",
year="2015",
author="Okewole, Adeniran O. and Awhangansi, Sewanu S. and Fasokun, Mojisola and Adeniji, Adetayo A. and Omotoso, Omotilewa and Ajogbon, Daniel",
volume="27",
number="3",
pages="215-225",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between prodromal psychotic symptoms and psychological distress among Nigerian adolescents. <br><br>METHOD: Students (n=508) were randomly selected from secondary schools in Abeokuta, Nigeria. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief Version (PQ-B) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered to each student. <br><br>RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 15.4 years (SD 1.3), with most (63%) being female. More than half (55.3%) reported having had a lifetime experience of major life event (20.9% in the preceding 6 months) while 13.9% had experienced bullying or abuse (5.1% in the preceding 6 months). The prevalence of prodromal symptoms was 20.9% (95% CI 0.174-0.244). Abnormal scores in emotional and conduct problems were seen in 11.8% and 6% respectively, while 7.3% had abnormal scores in each of the hyperactivity and peer problems subscales of the SDQ. Abnormality in prosocial behaviour was found in 1.8% of students, with overall abnormality in 4.9%. Regression analysis showed that prodromal symptoms were predicted by female sex, lifetime and 6 month history of major life event, and lifetime and 6 month history of bullying or abuse. Prodromal symptoms were also predicted by higher total SDQ scores and higher scores in all domains of psychological distress except the prosocial domain. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The study showed a relationship between reported prodromal symptoms and the occurrence of psychological distress. It also showed that early childhood trauma may be a predisposing factor to the early stages of development of psychosis, with female children being especially prone in the years of adolescence.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1728-0583",
doi="10.2989/17280583.2015.1125906",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2015.1125906"
}