Traumatic life events as risk factors for psychosis and ICD-11 complex PTSD: a gender-specific examination. Issue 1 (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ho, Grace W. K.; Hyland, Philip; Karatzias, Thanos; Bressington, Daniel; Shevlin, Mark
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 12:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Psychosis -- complex PTSD -- traumatic life events -- structural equation modelling -- gender-differences -- psychotic-like symptoms; Psicosis -- TEPT-C -- eventos vitales trauma -- modelamiento de ecuaciones estructurales -- diferencias de género -- síntomas psicóticos; 精神病 -- 复杂性 PTSD -- 创伤性生活事件 -- 结构方程模型 -- 性别差异 -- 精神病样症状; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.2009271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Numerous studies found robust associations between psychosis and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but few have examined the relationships between psychosis and recently formulated ICD-11 Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Further, no known study has examined the effects of different traumatic life events on CPTSD and psychotic-like symptoms in a manner that permits gender-specific effects to be identified. Objective: Using a nationally representative sample of 1, 020 Irish adults, we examined gender-differences in (a) psychotic-like symptoms, CPTSD, and exposure to 21 different traumatic life events, and (b) the unique associations between different traumas with CPTSD and Psychosis. Method: Bivariate analyses and structural equation modelling were performed. Results: Consistent with the literature, no gender differences were observed in psychotic-like symptoms. Females reported slightly higher levels of CPTSD and were more likely to be exposed to sexual and emotional abuse, whereas men reported greater exposure to physical violence, accidents, and disasters. Psychosis symptoms were explained by trauma exposure to a considerate degree and at a level similar to CPTSD; a moderate correlation was also found between CPTSD and Psychosis. Physical/emotional neglect was the only traumatic life event that significantly and most strongly predicted both conditions. Two gender-specific associations between different traumatic life events and CPTSD and Psychosis were identified out of the 42 possible effects modelled. Conclusions: The present investigation provides initial evidence that psychotic-like symptoms and CPTSD are moderately correlated constructs in the general population. Results also highlight the importance of conducting a detailed assessment of trauma history for all clients presenting with symptoms of CPTSD, psychosis, or both. HIGHLIGHTS: Structural equation modelling of data from 1, 020 Irish adults showed symptoms of psychosis and complex posttraumatic stress disorder moderately correlate. Physical emotional neglect was the only traumatic life event that significantly and most strongly predicted both conditions.