Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults

Abstract Background Psychotic experiences pose a significant public health concern among young adults. These subclinical symptoms can disrupt daily functioning and are often linked to risk propensity. Impulsivity, a multidimensional construct involving traits such as sensation seeking and lack of pr...

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Main Authors: Lea Kanbar, Diana Malaeb, Fouad Sakr, Mariam Dabbous, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Souheil Hallit, Sahar Obeid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Mental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00223-4
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author Lea Kanbar
Diana Malaeb
Fouad Sakr
Mariam Dabbous
Feten Fekih-Romdhane
Souheil Hallit
Sahar Obeid
author_facet Lea Kanbar
Diana Malaeb
Fouad Sakr
Mariam Dabbous
Feten Fekih-Romdhane
Souheil Hallit
Sahar Obeid
author_sort Lea Kanbar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Psychotic experiences pose a significant public health concern among young adults. These subclinical symptoms can disrupt daily functioning and are often linked to risk propensity. Impulsivity, a multidimensional construct involving traits such as sensation seeking and lack of premeditation, has been implicated in various psychopathologies, including psychotic disorders. This study investigates the mediating role of risk propensity in the relationship between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults. Methods It was a cross-sectional study conducted with 433 participants recruited through a snowball sampling technique. The following scales have been used: General Risk Propensity scale (GRiPS), Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief scale (PQ-B), and Impulsive Behavior Short Scale-8 (I-8). Results The results of this mediation analysis revealed that risk propensity fully mediated the relationship between impulsivity and psychotic experiences (indirect effect: Beta = 0.08, Boot SE = 0.02; 95% CI 0.04; 0.11). Higher impulsivity was significantly associated with increased engagement in risk propensity, which, in turn, was significantly associated with greater severity of psychotic experiences. Direct association between impulsivity and psychotic experiences was not significant. Conclusion These findings highlight the pivotal role of risk propensity in the link between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese adults. Future research should explore longitudinal designs to establish causality and investigate intervention strategies aimed at reducing risk propensity to mitigate the impact of impulsivity on psychotic symptoms.
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spelling doaj-art-d04aebe2384c4f09ae833905e1aa6a532025-08-20T03:21:01ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832025-06-015111310.1007/s44192-025-00223-4Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adultsLea Kanbar0Diana Malaeb1Fouad Sakr2Mariam Dabbous3Feten Fekih-Romdhane4Souheil Hallit5Sahar Obeid6Cleveland Clinic- Hillcrest Hospital and John Carroll UniversityCollege of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical UniversitySchool of Pharmacy, Lebanese International UniversitySchool of Pharmacy, Lebanese International UniversityThe Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi HospitalSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of KaslikDepartment of Psychology and Education, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American UniversityAbstract Background Psychotic experiences pose a significant public health concern among young adults. These subclinical symptoms can disrupt daily functioning and are often linked to risk propensity. Impulsivity, a multidimensional construct involving traits such as sensation seeking and lack of premeditation, has been implicated in various psychopathologies, including psychotic disorders. This study investigates the mediating role of risk propensity in the relationship between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults. Methods It was a cross-sectional study conducted with 433 participants recruited through a snowball sampling technique. The following scales have been used: General Risk Propensity scale (GRiPS), Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief scale (PQ-B), and Impulsive Behavior Short Scale-8 (I-8). Results The results of this mediation analysis revealed that risk propensity fully mediated the relationship between impulsivity and psychotic experiences (indirect effect: Beta = 0.08, Boot SE = 0.02; 95% CI 0.04; 0.11). Higher impulsivity was significantly associated with increased engagement in risk propensity, which, in turn, was significantly associated with greater severity of psychotic experiences. Direct association between impulsivity and psychotic experiences was not significant. Conclusion These findings highlight the pivotal role of risk propensity in the link between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese adults. Future research should explore longitudinal designs to establish causality and investigate intervention strategies aimed at reducing risk propensity to mitigate the impact of impulsivity on psychotic symptoms.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00223-4Risk propensityImpulsivityPsychotic experiencesLebanon
spellingShingle Lea Kanbar
Diana Malaeb
Fouad Sakr
Mariam Dabbous
Feten Fekih-Romdhane
Souheil Hallit
Sahar Obeid
Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults
Discover Mental Health
Risk propensity
Impulsivity
Psychotic experiences
Lebanon
title Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults
title_full Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults
title_fullStr Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults
title_full_unstemmed Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults
title_short Mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among Lebanese young adults
title_sort mediating effect of risk propensity between impulsivity and psychotic experiences among lebanese young adults
topic Risk propensity
Impulsivity
Psychotic experiences
Lebanon
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00223-4
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