Systemic Social Factors May Increase the Risk of Psychotic Experiences

TUESDAY, June 10, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Experiences with discrimination may increase the risk of psychotic experiences among marginalized young adults, according to a study published online May 29 in Schizophrenia Bulletin.

Jacqueline I. Cosse, from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University in New York City, and colleagues used data from the National Survey of Poly-victimization and Mental Health (1,584 individuals) to investigate associations between individual-level and structural indicators of marginalization and social defeat and self-reported psychotic experiences among U.S. young adults (aged 18 to 29 years).

The researchers found that participants identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color had higher odds of reporting psychotic experiences in the past year (odds ratio, 1.60). Participants with at least one experience of police violence in the past year also had higher odds of reporting psychotic experiences (odds ratio, 1.52). Other factors associated with increased odds included high-frequency substance use, everyday discrimination, and exposure to childhood abuse or bullying.

“This potentially means that reducing exposure to systemic factors, like societal racism, may provide mental health benefits similar to individual-focused interventions, like psychotherapy,” coauthor Jordan E. DeVylder, Ph.D., also from the Silver School of Social Work, said in a statement.

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