Children who move schools a lot may be at an increased risk of experiencing psychotic symptoms later on, a new study indicates.

Psychosis refers to a mental state in which a person is detached from reality and experiences a number of abnormal symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and incoherent thoughts.

People who suffer from psychotic symptoms at a young age are more likely to experience mental health problems in adulthood.

UK researchers decided to look at the effect of moving schools frequently during childhood. At the age of 12, the study participants were interviewed and the presence of psychotic symptoms in the previous six months was assessed.

The study found that children who had moved schools at least three times were 60% more likely to show signs of at least one definite psychotic symptom.

The researchers said that frequent moves could lead to feelings of low self-esteem and exclusion among the children, which could go on to have physiological consequences.

"Changing schools can be very stressful for students. Our study found that the process of moving schools may itself increase the risk of psychotic symptoms - independent of other factors. But additionally, being involved in bullying, sometimes as a consequence of repeated school moves, may exacerbate risk for the individual," the researchers from the University of Warwick said.

They added that moving schools should be kept in mind if a young person is being assessed for psychosis.

"It should be explored as a matter of course as the impact can be both serious and potentially long lasting. Schools should develop strategies to help these students to establish themselves in their new environment."

Details of these findings are published in the journal, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.