Racial differences in attenuated psychotic symptoms during the COVID‐19 pandemic

• Published in: Early intervention in psychiatry 2024-02, Vol.18 (2), p.165-169
• Main Authors: James, Sydney H., Strauss, Gregory P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: clinical high‐risk; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; hallucinations; Health disparities; Humans; Mental Health; Mental health care; Minority & ethnic groups; Pandemics; prodrome; Psychosis; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - epidemiology; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; Race; Race Factors; schizophrenia; ultra‐high‐risk; United States - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1751-7885; 1751-7893; 1751-7893
• DOI: 10.1111/eip.13451

Aim Rates of attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) have increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic; however, it is unclear whether this is most evident among individuals from marginalized racial groups. Methods The current study evaluated APS screening data across a six‐year period in the state of Georgia in the United States, spanning several years prior to and during the COVID‐19 pandemic to evaluate interactions between time and race. Participants included 435 clinical help‐seeking individuals. Results The rate of individuals scoring above the APS screening cut‐off was higher during the pandemic compared to pre‐pandemic (41% vs 23%). This pandemic‐related increase in APS was significant for Black, but not White or Asian participants. Conclusions Findings indicate APS are increasing during the COVID‐19 pandemic among clinical help‐seeking populations. Black individuals may be at greater risk for developing a psychotic disorder during the pandemic, suggesting increased need for screening, mental health monitoring, and treatment.