Childhood maltreatment in individuals at risk of psychosis: Results from the Brazilian SSAPP cohort

Abstract

Background: Childhood maltreatment is a known risk factor for the development of mental disorders, such as psychotic symptoms. An extensive body of literature about childhood maltreatment and mental health has been developed in wealthy countries, but information about this connection is lacking in developing countries. Aims: To explore a possible relationship between childhood maltreatment and ultra-high risk of psychosis in a non-help-seeking population in a low- and middle-income country. Methods: A household survey was conducted in Sao Paulo, Brazil, involving over 2,500 individuals aged 18–30 years who were randomly selected from the general population. The participants underwent screening with the Prodromal Questionnaire. Ultra-high risk status was assessed using the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes, and childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. The final sample comprised 87 ultra-high risk individuals and 115 controls. Results: Childhood maltreatment was significantly more present among ultra-high risk individuals. In ultra-high risk individuals, physical and emotional neglect were inversely related to grandiosity symptoms, physical abuse was related to perceptual abnormalities and physical neglect was related to disorganized speech and thought. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and ultra-high risk status and psychopathological features in a large Latin American sample. Further studies in this field are necessary to better understand the specific influence of various early life adversities on psychosis risk.

Psychosocial stress, interpersonal sensitivity, and social withdrawal in clinical high risk for psychosis: a systematic review

“…The high prevalence of Childhood Trauma (CT) in CHR individuals and its association with suicidality and self-harm underlines the importance of inquiring about CT during clinical assessments. Freitas et al 130 Longitudinal 87 CHR 115 HC 29 M/58 F 50 M/65 F 24.78 (4.11) 25.09 (4.31) Ethnicity not recorded. The Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ) Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS) Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (SOPS) No comorbidities reported in HCs Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) Compared to HCs, CHR individuals scored significantly higher on: physical abuse (mean rank: controls = 93.81, CHR = 111.67; P = 0.027), sexual abuse (mean rank: controls = 94.67, CHR = 110.52; P = 0.007) and emotional abuse (mean rank: controls = 85.93, CHR = 122.09; P < 0.001).…”