Perceived discrimination in those at clinical high risk for psychosis

Aim: There is evidence to suggest that perceived discrimination may be associated with psychosis. Less is known about its potential impact on those at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of perceived discrimination in a CHR sample and its possible relationship to attenuated positive symptoms and negative self-beliefs.

Methods: Participants were 360 CHR individuals and 180 healthy controls. Assessments included a self-report measure of perceived discrimination, the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms and the Brief Core Schema Scale.

Results: CHR participants reported significantly more perceived discrimination. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with negative schemas, but not with attenuated positive symptoms.

Conclusions: These results suggest that individuals at CHR for psychosis endorse a higher level of perceived discrimination, which is associated with increased negative schemas, but not attenuated positive symptoms.