title: Associations between stereotype awareness, childhood trauma and psychopathology: a study in people with psychosis, their siblings and controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stereotype awareness--or an individual's perception of the degree to which negative beliefs or stereotypes are held by the public--is an important factor mediating public stigma, self-stigma and their negative consequences. Research is required to assess how individuals become more sensitive to perceive stereotypes, pointing the way to therapeutic options to reduce its negative effects and increase stigma resilience. Because perception and interpretation can be guided by belief systems, and childhood trauma (CT) is reported to impact such beliefs, CT is explored in relation to stereotype awareness (SA) in persons with psychosis, their siblings and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the GROUP project (Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis) were analyzed. SA was measured by devaluation scales which assess a respondent's perception of the degree to which stereotypes about people with mental illness and about their families are held by the public. CT was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (short form).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients, symptoms of disorganization and emotional distress were associated with SA about people with mental illness. In siblings, schizotypal features were associated with both types of SA (more schizotypy = more SA). In both patients and siblings, CT was associated with both types of SA (more CT = more SA), independent of symptoms (patients) or schizotypy (siblings).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT in people with psychosis and their siblings may sensitize to SA. Thus, CT may not only impact on risk for illness onset, it may also increase SA associated with mental illness, potentially interfering with the recovery process. CT-induced SA may indicate a heightened sensitivity to threat, which may also impact psychopathology.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Zelst
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Nierop
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Daniëlla S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: van Dam
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Agna A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bartels-Velthuis
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, EURON, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Mondriaan Mental Health Trust, South Limburg, Maastricht/Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delespaul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000069586:Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011599:Psychopathology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D035781:Siblings; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult