Different facets of religiosity and their longitudinal associations with psychotic-like experiences in the general population.

Summary

Religiosity has multiple dimensions: intrinsic, extrinsic organizational, and extrinsic non-organizational. A longitudinal study of 5,099 general population adults, followed for 6–7 months, found bidirectional associations between intrinsic religiosity and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and related distress. PLEs and distress also predicted higher levels of extrinsic non-organizational religiosity, but not its changes over time. These associations had small effect sizes. No significant associations emerged for extrinsic organizational religiosity. The findings suggest complex, reciprocal links between more intimate forms of religiosity and PLEs.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Religiosity manifests in a variety of behaviors and activities that can be divided into intrinsic (IR), extrinsic organizational (EORG), and extrinsic non-organizational religiosity (ENORG). It has been shown that religiosity might be associated with the occurrence of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). However, the understanding of this association might be limited due to a lack of longitudinal studies addressing the effects of various religiosity types on the occurrence of PLEs. The present study aimed to explore the longitudinal associations of religiosity dimensions with PLEs. A total of 5,099 general population individuals (aged 44.9 ± 15.4 years, 52.2% women) were assessed at baseline and reinvited for the follow-up assessment after 6- 7 months. Religiosity and PLEs were assessed using the Duke University Religion Index and Prodromal Questionnaire- Brief, respectively. Individuals who completed assessments at both timepoints (n = 3,275) and non-completers (n = 1,824) did not differ significantly with respect to baseline characteristics. After adjustment for covariates (age, gender, the level of education, employment status, place of residence, social network size, substance use, psychiatric treatment history, depressive and anxiety symptoms), IR was bidirectionally associated with PLEs and related distress. Moreover, PLEs, together with associated distress, predicted higher levels of ENORG, but not its changes over time. However, observed associations showed small effect size estimates, especially in the case of ENORG. No significant associations were found for EORG. Findings from the study indicate complex and rather bidirectional associations of more intimate dimensions of religiosity with PLEs.