Childhood Abuse in First-Episode Psychosis

Abstract

Of 38 adult patients admitted for first-episode psychosis, 20 reported childhood abuse, with equal prevalence in men and women. Patients with histories of childhood abuse had significantly more dissociative symptoms, but not more severe psychiatric symptoms. Childhood abuse was not related to rate of recovery and was only marginally related to longer stays in hospital. Although childhood abuse did not affect recovery during first-episode psychosis, it may contribute to a chronic course in some patients.

Child abuse rating system for archival information in severe mental illness

“…The prevalence of child abuse histories found in this sample of individuals with SMI using the archival record rating system are consistent [1,5,7,[34][35][36][37] or somewhat lower than other reports [38,39]. Importantly, it should be noted that the rates of child abuse history in the current study replicate those in previous studies using either archival data [5] or retrospective self-reports [1].…”

“…History of child abuse has important implications for psychiatric rehabilitation; clinical evidence reveals the impact of child abuse on premorbid functioning [5], neurocognition [6], dissociative symptoms [7], psychiatric symptoms [8][9][10][11][12][13], and social functioning [14,15] in later childhood and adulthood. Consequently, the importance of considering child abuse histories in the assessment of psychiatric rehabilitation services has been emphasized by policy makers, clinicians, and researchers alike.…”

Dissociative and Psychotic Experiences of Adolescents Admitted to a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit

“…Of course these conclusions can only be made tentatively given the small sample size, and they may not generalize to clinicians working in other locations with adolescents. Two recent studies have provided fresh evidence for a role of childhood trauma in the development of psychotic symptoms during childhood (Arseneault et al, 2011) and adulthood (Heins et al, 2011), adding to the existing literature base supporting this relationship (e.g., Cohen et al, 1996;Convoy, Weiss, & Zverina, 1995;Goff, Brotman, Kindlon, Waites, & Amico, 1991;Greenfield, Strakowski, Tohen, Batson, & Kolbrener, 1994) notwithstanding methodological issues that limit the conclusions that can be drawn from this area of research (Bendall et al, 2008).…”

Traumatic Brain Injury as a Risk Factor for Schizophrenia

“…A literature search using the terms "shaken baby syndrome" with psychosis and schizophrenia did not yield any reports. However, reported rates of prior child abuse are 20/38 or 52% of patients with first-episode psychosis [44] and 27/61 or 44% of patients with chronic psychosis [45]. Among infants and young children, programs aimed to reduce violence and child abuse should significantly reduce TBI.…”