Behavioural inhibition system sensitivity is no longer associated with psychotic-like experiences after controlling for depression and anxiety symptoms

Aim Elevated behavioural inhibition system sensitivity has been reported among schizophrenia patients. Yet, no study has investigated the relationship between behavioural inhibition system sensitivity and the occurrence of psychotic-like experiences (subthreshold psychotic symptoms considered to be less severe or impairing), despite evidence that behavioural inhibition system sensitivity is related to other forms of psychopathology known to co-occur with psychotic-like experiences, such as depression and anxiety. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between behavioural inhibition system levels and psychotic-like experiences while controlling for depression and anxiety symptoms. We hypothesized that behavioural inhibition system sensitivity would be positively associated with the number of reported psychotic-like experiences, and that this association would be nonsignificant after accounting for depression and anxiety symptoms. Methods Psychotic-like experiences, behavioural inhibition system sensitivity, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms were measured in 1162 young adults. Bivariate correlations were calculated and linear regressions performed to measure the relationship between variables of interest. Results Psychotic-like experiences, behavioural inhibition system sensitivity, and symptoms of depression, and anxiety were all significantly and positively correlated with one another. Behavioural inhibition system sensitivity was no longer related to the number of psychotic-like experiences reported after controlling for anxiety symptoms, with and without controlling for depression symptoms. Discussion These findings suggest that the hypersensitivity to threat observed among individuals reporting higher levels of psychotic-like experiences is likely related to co-occurring depression and anxiety symptoms. Thus, behavioural inhibition system sensitivity may be more reflective of a transdiagnostic phenotype of general psychopathology than specifically related to psychosis.