Increased affective reactivity to daily social stressors is associated with more severe psychotic symptoms in youth with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

Abstract

Objective. Increased reactivity to minor stressors is considered as a risk factor for psychosis, especially in vulnerable individuals. In the present study, we investigated affective and psychotic stress reactivity as well as its link with psychotic symptoms and psychopathology in youth with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), a neurogenetic condition associated with a high risk for psychosis. Methods. A 6-day Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) protocol was used to assess perceived daily-life stress as well as affective and psychotic reactivity to stress in participants with 22q11DS (n = 38, age = 18.4) and healthy controls (HC; n = 53, age = 19.1). Psychotic symptoms, general psychopathology, and coping strategies were also assessed through clinical interviews and questionnaires.Results. Participants with 22q11DS reported higher levels of perceived social stress (b = 0.21, p = 0.036) but lower levels of activity-related stress (b = -0.31, p = 0.003) in their daily lives compared to HC. The groups did not differ in affective or psychotic reactivity to stress, but individuals with 22q11DS who reported increased affective reactivity to social stressors showed more severe positive psychotic symptoms (rs = 0.505, p = 0.008). Finally, avoidance coping strategies moderated the association between stress and negative affects.Conclusions. Our results suggest an increased vulnerability for daily social stress in youth with 22q11DS, and link elevated social stress reactivity to heightened psychotic symptom severity. Given the high risk for psychosis in 22q11DS, interventions should focus on reducing social stress and developing adaptive coping strategies.

Cognitive emotion regulation difficulties increase affective reactivity to daily-life stress in autistic adolescents and young adults

“…The exclusion criteria for TD were: premature birth, first-degree relative with developmental trouble (with the exception of a de novo neurogenetic condition), or lifetime presence of psychiatric disorders, neurological issues or neurodevelopmental disorders. Part of the TD sample (n=47) overlapped with the sample of our previous study (Ilen et al, 2022). All participants and caretakers gave their written consent.…”