Association of Child Abuse and Neglect with Adult Disability in Schizophrenia and the Prominent Role of Physical Neglect

• NCJ Number: 228649
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 33 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 618-624
• Author(s): Alexei Gil; Clarissa S. Gama; Danilo Rocha de Jesus; Maria Ines Lobato; Marilene Zimmer; Paulo Belmonte-de-Abreu
• Date Published: September 2009
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study assessed the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma on the functional outcome of adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Abstract

The results of this study show that only emotional abuse and physical and emotional neglect were associated with adult social and functional impairment in patients with schizophrenia. There was a relatively unexpected lack of association with the strongest and most described forms of abuse. The study provides new data about long-lasting effects of early traumatic experiences on the functional outcomes of adult psychiatric disorders and could easily be transposed to a similar population of patients. It underscores the need for a systematic assessment and education of patients and families about adequate maternal care, including physical and emotional proximity and protection against physical and sexual abuse and neglect. Research suggests that there is an association between childhood trauma and psychiatric disorders and psychological outcomes, with the majority of studies focusing on the association between trauma and non-psychotic disorders. The aim of this study was to use the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO/DAS) to investigate the association between childhood trauma, using standardized instrument, in its five dimensions (emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and emotional and physical neglect), and adult disability in chronic stable patients with schizophrenia. Tables and references