A Latent Profile Analysis of Psychosis Symptoms to Examine Distress and Depression as Pathways to Suicide Ideation Among Individuals in an Early Phase of Psychosis Illness

Abstract

Background

Suicide rates are high among individuals in first episode psychosis and there is a critical need to better understand drivers of suicide risk to inform treatment efforts. This study identified profiles of psychosis symptoms and examined a mediation model of depression and distress as mechanisms in the relationships between psychosis symptoms and suicide ideation by latent profiles.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis (n = 166) of individuals between 16 and 35 years of age who had onset of affective or non-affective psychosis within 5 years of consent. Data were analysed using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) and Structural Equation Modelling in MPlus.

Results

LPA revealed the following groups: (1) relatively lower and more balanced levels of symptoms, (2) highest positive and general symptoms and (3) highest negative symptoms. Findings indicated the relationships in the model differed between by LPA groups. Distress and depression functioned as mediators between psychosis symptoms and suicide ideation for Groups 1 and 2.

Conclusions

A better understanding of the roles that distress and depression play in the relationships between psychosis symptoms and suicide ideation can help inform modifiable targets of early intervention and subsequently decrease risk for suicide.