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Stress sensitivity in paranoia: poor-me paranoia protects against the unpleasant effects of social stress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2017

A. Udachina ,
R. P. Bentall ,
F. Varese  and
G. Rowse
A. Udachina*
Affiliation:
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
R. P. Bentall
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool, UK
F. Varese
Affiliation:
University of Manchester, UK
G. Rowse
Affiliation:
University of Sheffield, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: A. Udachina, Bramley Street Rehabilitation Unit, Greater Manchester West NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, M7 1YE, UK. (Email: alisaudachina@gmail.com)
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Abstract

Background

The attributional theory of paranoia suggests that paranoid beliefs may protect individuals from low self-esteem and distress (Bentall et al. 2001). The current study tested this theory by investigating a hypothesis that paranoid beliefs in combination with low perceived deservedness of persecution (poor-me beliefs) confer protection against the distress caused by social but not activity related stress.

Methods

Paranoid symptoms, perceived deservedness of persecution, self-esteem, mood, and stress levels of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (N = 91) and healthy controls (N = 52) were assessed in the context of daily life using the experience sampling method.

Results

Individuals holding poor-me beliefs (poor-me individuals) showed blunted sensitivity to social but not activity stress. In contrast, individuals holding paranoid beliefs in combination with high perceived deservedness of persecution (bad-me individuals) showed heightened sensitivity to social stress. No consistent differences in reactions to activity stress emerged. Although both poor-me and bad-me individuals reported low self-esteem, this disturbance was particularly characteristic of bad-me individuals.

Conclusions

The results suggest that poor-me paranoid beliefs may protect individuals against the distress associated with unpleasant social situations. The specificity of reactions to social stress is discussed in the context of wider literature. Future directions for research are suggested.

Keywords

deservednessexperience samplingparanoiapsychosisschizophreniastress sensitivity
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 47 , Issue 16 , December 2017 , pp. 2834 - 2843
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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