Citation

Steel C, Marzillier S, Fearon P, Ruddle A. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2009; 44(11): 917-923.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK, c.steel@reading.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-009-0038-0

PMID

19333529

Abstract

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.

Language: en