M1. An Investigation of Childhood Trauma in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders as Compared to Substance Abuse Disorders

Abstract

Abstract Background: The specificity of childhood trauma (CT) in psychosis is not known, since CT may occur in other disorders, especially substance abuse disorders (SUDs). The aim of the study was to examine the severity and frequency of CT in schizophrenia spectrum disorders as compared to SUDs. In order for CT to be specific for psychosis, one would expect more frequent and severe CT when compared to other disorders also associated with CT, such as SUDs. Methods: The sample consisted of 57 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 57 patients with SUDs, matched by age and gender. The groups were compared on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form (CTQ-SF) sum score and subscale scores, as well as the number of patients reporting CT at a cut-off of moderate/severe levels. Results: There were no statistically significant differences for the CTQ-SF sum scores between the psychosis group (M = 45.55, Mdn = 43) and substance abuse group (M = 43.85, Mdn = 43; U = 1587.5, P = .83) or for the CTQ-SF subscale scores (sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and physical and emotional neglect). When investigating whether the patients met the cut-off of moderate/severe levels of CT, we found no statistically significant differences between the groups. The groups were also compared on the number of patients in each group who reported 0–5 subtypes above the cut-off. In the psychosis group, 64.9 % (n = 37) reported ≥1 CT above cut-off as compared to 64.9 % (n = 37) in the substance abuse group. Almost 9% (n = 5) in the psychosis group reported ≥ 4 CT above the cut-off compared to 1.75 % (n = 1) in the substance abuse group. This difference was nonsignificant χ2 (1) = .240, P = .62. Conclusion: The results indicate similar frequency and severity of CT when comparing schizophrenia spectrum disorders and SUDS, a comparison that to the author’s best knowledge has not previously been researched. The similarities in levels of CT might have implications for etiological models of CT in these disorders. More research is needed to understand the differential pathways of CT; how and why do some individuals develop psychosis whereas others develop SUDs after childhood trauma.