Gender Differences in the Physical and Psychological Manifestation of Childhood Trauma and/or Adversity in People with Psychosis.

Shaun Sweeney,Lana Zannettino,Tracy Air,Cherrie Galletly

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01768

Shaun Sweeney, Lana Zannettino + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01768

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Abstract

The link between childhood trauma and/or adversity and risk of psychosis is well known. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of childhood trauma and/or adversity in people who have psychotic disorders and to investigate the association between childhood trauma and/or adversity and a range of social and health measures. Participants (n = 391, 42% male) were specifically asked about any experience of childhood trauma and/or adversity. Respondents provided information about education, employment, physical health, and health service utilization. Univariate analyses revealed that childhood trauma and/or adversity was associated with poorer levels of self-reported physical health and social problems. This includes the experience of chronic pain, headaches, arthritis, asthma, and victimization/stigma in men. Participants with a childhood trauma and/or adversity history indicated higher rates of lifetime suicide attempts with women reporting more lifetime depressive symptoms. Multivariate analyses revealed differing profiles in relation to physical and psychological health variable between males and females. Males with the experience of childhood trauma and/or adversity were significantly more likely to report cardiovascular/stroke issues, migraines and anhedonia. Females with the experience of childhood trauma and/or adversity were more likely to report a lifetime history of elevated mood and to be married or in a de facto relationship. There has been very little research into the assessment and treatment of the effects of childhood trauma and/or adversity in adults with psychosis. Childhood trauma and/or adversity may contribute to higher rates of self-reported poor health in men and is associated with increased depression in women. Our findings suggest that interventions to address the effects of past trauma are urgently needed.

Highlights

Psychosis is defined as the presence of hallucinations and delusions and is present in a number of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, delusional disorders, schizoaffective disorders, and drug-induced psychosis
childhood trauma and/or adversity (CTA) is associated with a range of poor health and psychological outcomes, (Spataro et al, 2004) and is associated with the development of psychotic disorders in adulthood (Janssen et al, 2004; Matheson et al, 2013)
The health and psychosocial outcomes of CTA can vary according to gender, with women being more likely to experience sexual abuse whilst men tend to be subjected to physical abuse and/or bullying (Read et al, 2005)

Summary

Introduction

Psychosis is defined as the presence of hallucinations and delusions and is present in a number of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, delusional disorders, schizoaffective disorders, and drug-induced psychosis. In discussing the different interpretations of trauma and adversity, Brown et al (1999) provide a definitive definition of trauma and adversity in childhood that encompasses child abuse and neglect This definition includes the experience of verbal assaults on a child’s sense of worth, bodily assaults that pose risk of injury, sexual contact, failure to provide basic psychological/emotional needs, and a failure to provide basic needs (Bernstein and Fink, 1998; Browne and Winkelman, 2007). In particular cohorts, such as adult women in drug treatment services, as many as 62–81% report CTA (Teets, 1995; Gil-Rivas et al, 1997; Liebschutz et al, 2002)

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