Social Threat, Negative Beliefs, and Altered Social Learning Underpin Paranoia in Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescent social adversity (discrimination, bullying) enhances paranoia—the perception others want to harm or upset you. In this preregistered study (AsPredicted No. 154322), we tested the impact of prior social adversity and current social exclusion on paranoia, self/other beliefs, and latent social-learning processes in UK mid-adolescents (15–17 years, N  = 502). In an experimental design, participants completed baseline social-adversity measures before random allocation to a social inclusion/exclusion manipulation (Cyberball), after which the Intentions Game assessed cognitive flexibility. We tested (a) whether adversity and exclusion interact to increase paranoia (b) via (mediated) negative self/other beliefs and (c) if this was moderated by cognitive flexibility. Social exclusion increased paranoia, which was intensified by prior social adversity and restricted learning rate in the Intentions Game. Negative self- and other beliefs mediated the link from social adversity to paranoia, but cognitive flexibility did not moderate. Three distinct discrimination-to-paranoia routes emerged. Findings highlight possible explanatory and intervention targets for reducing adolescent paranoia.