Bullying and psychosis: The impact of chronic traumatic stress on psychosis risk in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome - a uniquely vulnerable population

Publication date: Available online 15 April 2019Source: Journal of Psychiatric ResearchAuthor(s): Danessa Mayo, Khalima A. Bolden, Tony J. Simon, Tara A. NiendamAbstractBullying is an adverse childhood experience that is more common among youth with special needs and is associated with increased psychopathology throughout the lifespan. Individuals with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q) represent one group of special needs youth who are at increased risk for bullying due to co-occurring genetically-mediated developmental, physical, and learning difficulties. Furthermore, individuals with 22q are at increased risk for developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. However, there is a paucity of research exploring the impact of bullying on individuals with 22q and the possible impact this has on risk for psychosis in this population. To explore this relationship using existing research the goals of the review are: (i) to explore the nature of bullying among youth with special needs, and (ii) to discuss its potential role as a specific risk factor in the development of adverse outcomes, including psychosis symptoms. We reviewed the relationship between bullying and its short and long-term effects on the cognitive, social, and developmental functioning of typically developing individuals and those with special needs. We propose an interactive relationship between trauma, stress, and increased psychosis risk among youth with 22q with a history of bullying. The early...
Source: Journal of Psychiatric Research - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research