Affective and psychotic reactivity to daily-life stress in adults with 22q11DS: a study using the experience sampling method

Abstract

Background 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic disorder associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders. Vulnerability for psychopathology has been related to an increased reactivity to stress. Here, we examined affective states, perceived stress, affective and psychotic reactivity to various sources of environmental stress using the experience sampling method (ESM), a structured diary technique allowing repeated assessments in the context of daily life. Methods Adults with 22q11DS (n = 31; age, 34.1 years) and matched healthy controls (HCs; n = 24; age, 39.9 years) were included. ESM was used to assess affective states, perceived stress, and stress reactivity. Data were analyzed using multilevel regression models. Results Adults with 22q11DS displayed overall higher levels of negative affect but comparable levels of positive affect compared to HCs. Higher levels of perceived stress were reported by individuals with 22q11DS. Comparable affective and psychotic reactivity in relation to all types of environmental stress was observed between the two groups. Conclusion The results point toward higher levels of negative affect and differences in the perception of daily hassles in 22q11DS but no difference in affective or psychotic reactivity to stress. This study contributes to the growing literature regarding the impact of stress on the development of psychopathology in the 22q11DS population.

Psychotic experiences in daily-life in adolescents and young adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: an Ecological Momentary Assessment study

“…As predicted, participants with 22q11DS reported more intense momentary psychotic experiences than HC. This is consistent with a recent EMA study from Schneider et al (2020) conducted on an independent sample of adults with 22q11DS that also observed more intense psychotic experiences than HC in their daily-life. Interestingly, participants with 22q11DS also reported more frequent psychotic experiences throughout the assessment period, an indicator that was not measured in Schneider et al (2020).…”

“…This is consistent with a recent EMA study from Schneider et al (2020) conducted on an independent sample of adults with 22q11DS that also observed more intense psychotic experiences than HC in their daily-life. Interestingly, participants with 22q11DS also reported more frequent psychotic experiences throughout the assessment period, an indicator that was not measured in Schneider et al (2020). Of note, the population of Schneider et al (2020) study was older (mean age HC = 39.91 and 22q11DS = 34.11) than the one of the present study, but reported a similar mean intensity of psychotic experiences, which argues for an emergence of psychotic experiences relatively early during development.…”

“…Of note, this method was found reliable to assess vulnerable populations, such as individuals with intellectual deficiency (Wilson et al, 2020) or autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (van der Linden et al, 2020). To the best of our knowledge, this technique has only been used twice in adults with 22q11DS to characterize affective and psychotic reactivity to daily-life stress (Schneider et al, 2020;van Duin et al, 2019).…”

Characterizing daily-life social interactions in adolescents and young adults with neurodevelopmental disorders: a comparison between individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

“…Of note, Wilson and al. (35) validated EMA feasibility in a population with moderate intellectual disability but this technique had rarely been used in 22q11DS population (39,40). This is why we took time to go through the protocol with each participant and to carefully read and explain each item, as well as closely monitoring them during the full EMA period.…”

“…Of note, this method was found reliable to assess vulnerable populations, such as individuals with intellectual disability (35) or schizophrenia (36-38). To the best of our knowledge, this technique has only been used twice in adults with 22q11DS to characterize affective and psychotic reactivity to dailylife stress (39,40). In individuals with ASD, there is a paucity of studies (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49), most of them focusing on the feasibility of the EMA technique.…”