Childhood abuse and schizotypal personality

Steel, C., Marzillier, S., Fearon, P. and Ruddle, A. (2009) Childhood abuse and schizotypal personality. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 44 (11). pp. 917-923. ISSN 0933-7954 doi: 10.1007/s00127-009-0038-0

Abstract/Summary

Introduction There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting an association between early adverse events and an increased prevalence of sub-clinical psychotic phenomena. These 'schizotypal' beliefs and experiences have been associated with a history of trauma, and are also recognised as a risk factor for the transition to psychosis. However, previous studies have not investigated the associations between specific types of adverse event and the distinct dimensions of such phenomena. Methods An internet questionnaire produced three groups of participants who had suffered discrete forms of childhood abuse. Results Individuals who had suffered physical or sexual abuse exhibited higher levels of paranoia/suspiciousness and unusual perceptual experiences, but not magical thinking. Individuals who had suffered emotional abuse did not show higher scores within any of these three measures of schizotypy. Conclusion The results suggest the need for further research to improve the specificity of the identification of individuals who may be at risk of a transition to psychosis.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/13856
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords	Schizotypy, Childhood abuse, Trauma, Psychosis-proneness, ULTRA-HIGH RISK, PSYCHOTIC EXPERIENCES, PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES, GENERAL-POPULATION, TRAUMATIC EVENTS, COGNITIVE MODEL, CLINICAL-SAMPLE, YOUNG-PEOPLE, SYMPTOMS, SCALES
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