The prevalence and correlates of childhood trauma in patients with early psychosis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and demographic, clinical and functional correlates of childhood trauma in patients attending early psychosis clinics.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from outpatients attending four early psychosis services. Exposure to childhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Psychopathology was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Social and vocational functioning and substance use were also assessed.


RESULTS
Over three-quarters of the 100 patients reported exposure to any childhood trauma. Emotional, physical and sexual abuse were reported by 54%, 23% and 28% of patients, respectively, while 49% and 42% of patients reported emotional and physical neglect, respectively. Female participants were significantly more likely to be exposed to emotional and sexual abuse. Exposure to childhood trauma was correlated with positive psychotic symptoms and higher levels of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms; however, it had no impact on social or vocational functioning or recent substance use.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to childhood trauma was common in patients with early psychosis, and associated with increased symptomatology. Existing recommendations that standard clinical assessment of patients with early psychosis should include inquiry into exposure to childhood trauma are supported.
Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
Michael
M
Duhig
Metro North Mental Health, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, QLD, Australia.
Sue
S
Patterson
The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia.
Melissa
M
Connell
Metro South Mental Health, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wooloongabba, QLD, Australia.
Sharon
S
Foley
Metro South Mental Health, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wooloongabba, QLD, Australia.
Carina
C
Capra
Metro South Mental Health, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wooloongabba, QLD, Australia.
Frances
F
Dark
Metro North Mental Health, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia.
Anne
A
Gordon
Early Psychosis Service, Gold Coast Health Service District, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
Saveena
S
Singh
School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.
Leanne
L
Hides
Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
John J
JJ
McGrath
Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia Metro North Mental Health, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia james.scott@health.qld.gov.au.
James
J
Scott
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000069586:Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
child abuse; prevalence; psychosis; psychotic disorders; substance abuse