Young people’s experiences of bullying and paranoia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the possible association of childhood peer bullying and paranoid thinking in clinical and non-clinical adolescent samples
IRAS ID
230651
Contact name
Calum S Rankin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS GG&C Clinical Research & Development
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 27 days
Research summary
Paranoid thinking (PT) encompasses beliefs regarding perceived threat or harm towards the self by others. Literature indicates that PT ranges in severity and is reported by young people and adults in mental health services, and in the general population. Studies have identified that PT is associated with increased levels of negative beliefs about paranoia, social anxiety, shame, and emotion dysregulation.
Evidence suggests that childhood peer bullying (CPB), defined as a negative action involving intention, repetition, and power, may be associated with symptoms of psychosis, but this is limited.This study is interested in exploring the extent to which CPB is associated with PT and controlling possible effects of negative beliefs about paranoia, social anxiety, shame and emotion regulation. This is hoped to inform clinical and research practice.
There will be two groups of participants aged 16 to 18 years old: A group who attend child and adolescent mental health service (the clinical sample) and a group who have received no past or current input from specialist adolescent mental health services (the non-clinical sample). They will all be asked to read information regarding the study and read, agree to, and sign a consent form to make sure they are satisfied with what will be expected in their participation.
Participants will be asked to complete a set of questionnaires that measure CPB, PT, negative beliefs about paranoia, social anxiety, shame and emotion dysregulation. The clinical sample will complete in the clinic setting, and the non-clinical sample will be able to complete their questionnaires online using the Bristol Online Survey. The responses will be anonymised and secured on a password encrypted computer on a University of Glasgow server.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
18/WS/0005
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion