Financial difficulties and psychosis risk in British undergraduate students: a longitudinal analysis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether financial variables impact psychosis risk over time in students. Design/methodology/approach In total, 408 first-year British undergraduate students completed measures assessing psychosis risk and finances at three time points. Findings Greater financial difficulties increased psychosis risk cross sectionally both in terms of symptoms and distress. Other financial variables such as student loan amount were not significant. In longitudinal analysis financial difficulties increase psychotic symptoms and distress over time, but there was no impact of psychotic symptoms on later financial difficulties. Research limitations/implications The study used a relatively small and heavily female sample. Future research is needed to confirm the findings. Practical implications Whilst amount of debt does not appear to impact psychotic symptoms in students, greater financial difficulties appear to increase the risk of psychosis over time. Professionals working with students should be aware of this potential link. Originality/value This is the first time a longitudinal study has examined the effect of finances on psychosis symptoms.