Cognitive biases for trauma stimuli in people with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates whether cognitive biases related to trauma (physical and sexual trauma) are present in a sample of participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.


METHODS
Fifty-three participants, with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, completed tasks of attentional and memory bias, followed by several trauma report questionnaires. Those who reported a history of sexual and/or physical trauma were compared with a 'non-specific/no-trauma' subgroup. The reliability of trauma reports was determined by comparing current data on the Trauma History Questionnaire to that gathered one year previously, for a subsample of participants. Concordance rates and kappa coefficients suggested moderate to high reliability for reports of sexual and physical trauma. Attentional bias was assessed by comparing colour-naming times on modified Stroops, of either a sexual or physical nature, with control Stroops with negative, positive and neutral emotionally valenced stimuli. A subsequent incidental recall memory task was then employed.


RESULTS
High rates of sexual and/or physical trauma were found. Those who reported a history of sexual trauma evidenced a statistically significant increase in colour-naming times for sexual trauma stimuli, compared to both the 'physical trauma only' and the 'non-specific/no trauma' control groups. They also showed greater incidental recall of sexual trauma words in comparison to the other groups. Such a pattern was not, however, discerned for those reporting histories of physical trauma.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest cognitive schemata related to sexual trauma remains 'active' in those people with schizophrenia who report a related history.
Klewchuk
Elaine M
EM
Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
McCusker
Christopher G
CG
Mulholland
Ciaran
C
Shannon
Ciaran
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*