Elucidating the Impact of Childhood, Adulthood, and Cumulative Lifetime Trauma Exposure on Psychiatric Symptoms in Early Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

AbstractCumulative lifetime trauma has a profound impact on the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, few studies have determined participants ’ most distressing (i.e., “worst”) life event in childhood or adulthood or examined whether this event contributes to poorer clinical outcomes. The present study aimed to (a) determine the associations between the worst life event and demographic/clinical variables and (b) examine the associat ions between the worst life event and psychiatric symptoms (i.e., positive, negative, depressive, and anxiety symptoms). Participants (N = 150) were outpatients newly diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who were assessed for lifetime trauma exposure, positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between demographic and clinical variables and worst life events (none, childhood, or adulthood). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between worst life events and psychiatric symptoms. More participants reported that their worst life event occurred during adulthood (31.1%) than childhood (21.3%). Adulthood trauma was associated with male gender, older age, non ‐Chinese ethnicity, and psychiatric comorbidities; childhood trauma was associated with a family history of depression/anxiety. Adulthood trauma was significantly associated with more severe p...
Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research