Childhood Abuse and Psychosis, Essay Example

Childhood sexual abuse and psychosis: data from a cross-sectional national psychiatric survey in England

The current paper written by Bebbington et al. (2011) investigates the correlation between psychosis and trauma during childhood, specifically instances of sexual child abuse.  The researchers used a recent Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey performed in England in 2007 to gather data regarding childhood sexual abuse.  The survey was composed of random sample of British residents from the age 16 and over, to represent the adult population.  In addition, the purpose of information used in the survey was to gather data in order to test the hypothesis that childhood sexual abuse is correlated with psychosis, as well as linked to life experiences, drug abuse, depression and anxiety.

In order to investigate the hypothesis, data was acquired between 2006-2007 using a multistage stratified sampling technique.  Researchers randomly selected candidates using the Postcode Address File and with the information, one adult aged 16 years of age and over was chosen for the survey from each household.  Of the households found using the Postcode Address file, 57% agreed to participate in the survey and a total of 7353 individuals were interviewed.  With approval from the British ethics committee from the National Research Ethics Service, the researchers implemented a phase-one computer based interview in order to collect demographic and clinical data, which included data pertaining to sexual abuse.  The data collected determined whether or not a non-psychotic psychiatric disorder was present using the Clinical Interview Schedule.  In addition, the use of cannabis was also collected during the interview and analyzed. Furthermore, the phase-one portion of the interview determined for possible psychosis in subjects using data, such as whether or not the subject used antipsychotic medications, and/or had in-patient stays for any mental problem or disorder.  Individuals with positive answers to the psychosis questions were administered an additional questionnaire specifically designed for psychosis screening. The researchers also implemented detailed questions regarding sexual abuse. The questions were specific ranging from verbal sexual abuse to physical sexual abuse. (Bebbington et al., 2011)

The data collected was analyzed statistically using the STATA 10.0 program.  The STATA program gathered the clustered data with resulting variance estimates. For instance, the researchers used the program to provide a correlation between psychosis and different forms of sexual abuse through the use of assigned values.  The results of study indicated a significant correlation between psychosis and sexual abuse on all levels of sexual abuse.  In addition, the researchers further analyzed the data in order to investigate a correlation between psychosis and the severity of abuse.  In order to analyze this correlation, the researchers assigned a value to four levels of abuse ranging from verbal to physical abuse. As predicted, there was a significant correlation between psychosis and non-consensual sexual abuse. Furthermore, the researchers found that the odds for psychosis from sexual abuse in childhood were also significant. Further analysis also confirmed the association of childhood sexual abuse and depression and anxiety. (Bebbington et al., 2011)

Overall, the results of the study found a significant correlation between psychosis and sexual abuse.  In addition, there was a strong correlation between psychosis and childhood abuse, specifically with sexual intercourse involved.  From the data collected, the researchers also found that their data support an association for depression, anxiety and drug use as mediation for childhood sexual abuse.   Although the results of the data collected supported the hypothesis, it is possible that there were errors in the survey results.  For instance, it is possible that some of the sexual abuse accounts were not entirely accurate and possibly uncomfortable for some of the subjects.  However, the results of the study do open doors for additional results into the link between childhood trauma and psychotic disorders.  The findings of the study also suggest the need for the implementation of the need for awareness in the Social Service system to identify these cases in children as a method to help prevent the emergence of psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

References

Bebbington, P., Jonas, S., Kuipers, E., King, M., Cooper, C., Brugha, T., Meltzer, H., McManus,

S., Jenkins, R. (2011). Childhood sexual abuse and psychosis: data from a cross-sectional national psychiatric survey in England. BJP. 199:29-37.