Exploring psychotic-like experiences: the role of negative automatic thoughts, maladaptive coping, social support, and childhood trauma

Abstract

Background: This article presents the results of two studies investigating psychotic-like experiences conducted as a continuation of each other. Methods: Study 1 (N = 472) sought to elucidate the aetiology of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) through an examination of automatic thoughts, perceived social support and coping styles. Study 2 (N = 710) examined the influence of childhood trauma and coping strategies on the occurrence of subclinical psychiatric symptoms and PLE. Results: Study 1 posits that 52% of the variance in PLE can be attributed to more negative automatic thoughts, lower active and higher passive-emotional focused coping, and reduced social support from family, friends, and significant others. Negative automatic thoughts emerge as the most significant predictor. Study 2 identifies emotional abuse and passive-emotional focused coping as robust predictors of both PLE and subclinical psychiatric symptoms. Discussion: The discussion highlights the importance of negative automatic thoughts, perceived social support, childhood emotional abuse, and passive-emotional focused coping when working with subclinical symptomatology, particularly PLE. The authors also discuss the content and results of a pilot coping-oriented prevention program for those at risk. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.