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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Brief report

Girls get by with a little help from their friends: gender differences in protective effects of social support for psychotic phenomena amongst poly-victimised adolescents

Authors: Eloise Crush, Louise Arseneault, Helen L. Fisher

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 12/2018

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate whether social support is protective for psychotic experiences similarly among poly-victimised adolescent girls and boys.

Methods

We utilised data from the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study, a nationally-representative sample of 2232 UK-born twins. Participants were privately interviewed at age 18 about victimisation, psychotic experiences, and social support during adolescence.

Results

Perceived social support (overall and from friends) was found to be protective against psychotic experiences amongst poly-victimised adolescent girls, but not boys. Though boys were similarly protected by family support.

Conclusions

Social support-focused interventions targeting psychotic phenomena amongst poly-victimised adolescents may be more effective for girls.

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Title: Girls get by with a little help from their friends: gender differences in protective effects of social support for psychotic phenomena amongst poly-victimised adolescents
Authors: Eloise Crush
Louise Arseneault
Helen L. Fisher
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 12/2018
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1599-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Girls get by with a little help from their friends: gender differences in protective effects of social support for psychotic phenomena amongst poly-victimised adolescents

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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