Early traumatic experiences, perceived discrimination and conversion to psychosis in those at clinical high risk for psychosis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jacqueline Stowkowy, University of Calgary; Liu Liu, University of Calgary; Kristin S. Cadenhead, University of California San Diego; Tyrone D. Cannon, Yale University; Barbara A. Cornblatt, Zucker Hillside Hospital; Thomas H. McGlashan, Yale University; Diana O. Perkins, University of North Carolina; Larry J. Seidman, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Ming T. Tsuang, University of California San Diego; Elaine Walker, Emory University; Scott W. Woods, Yale University; Carrie E. Bearden, University of California Los Angeles; Daniel H. Mathalon, University of California San Francisco; Jean Addington, University of Calgary
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-04-01
• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1182-y
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 497
• End Page: 503
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant U01MH081984 to Dr Addington; Grants U01 MH081928; P50 MH080272; Commonwealth of Massachusetts SCDMH82101008006 to Dr Seidman; Grants R01 MH60720, U01 MH082022 and K24 MH76191 to Dr Cadenhead; Grant U01MH081902 to Dr Cannon; Grant U01MH082004-01A1 to Dr Perkins; Grant U01MH081988 to Dr Walker; Grant U01MH082022 to Dr Woods; and UO1 MH081857-05 Grant to Dr Cornblatt.
• Keywords: Psychological Trauma; Trauma; Female; Young Adult; Bullying; Adolescent; Social Discrimination; Psychosis; Clinical high risk; Risk; Perceived discrimination; Prodrome; Case-Control Studies; Psychotic Disorders; Male; Humans
• Research Categories: Psychology, Cognitive

Abstract

Purpose: There is evidence to suggest that both early traumatic experiences and perceived discrimination are associated with later onset of psychosis. Less is known about the impact these two factors may have on conversion to psychosis in those who are at clinical high risk (CHR) of developing psychosis. The purpose of this study was to determine if trauma and perceived discrimination were predictors of conversion to psychosis. Methods: The sample consisted of 764 individuals who were at CHR of developing psychosis and 280 healthy controls. All participants were assessed on past trauma, bullying and perceived discrimination. Results: Individuals at CHR reported significantly more trauma, bullying and perceived discrimination than healthy controls. Only perceived discrimination was a predictor of later conversion to psychosis. Conclusions: Given that CHR individuals are reporting increased rates of trauma and perceived discrimination, these should be routinely assessed, with the possibility of offering interventions aimed at ameliorating the impact of past traumas as well as improving self-esteem and coping strategies in an attempt to reduce perceived discrimination.