Psychotic-like experiences of young adults in the general population predict mental disorders

•A nationally representative sample of young adults was studied prospectively.•Latent factor reflected intensity of 23 self-reported psychotic-like experiences.•PLEs added risk for subsequent psychotic disorders during the next 10–12 years.•PLEs were also risk markers for transdiagnostic psychiatric vulnerability.•PLEs were risk symptoms independent of general psychological distress.