Comparison of developmental trauma between immigrant and non-immigrant psychotic patients

Abstract

Introduction

Meta-analytic evidence suggests that migrants have higher risk for psychotic disorders. Likewise, growing evidence relate developmental trauma (emotional, sexual, physical abuse and neglect in childhood or adolescence) as a causal factor for psychotic symptoms. However, few studies examine developmental trauma in migrant populations.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to describe and compare developmental trauma exposure prevalence between immigrant and non-immigrant psychotic patients in Barcelona.

Methods

Patients who have presented, according DSM-V criteria, one or more non-affective psychotic episodes, were recruited in Acute and Chronic inpatients units at Hospital del Mar (Barcelona), leading to a total sample of 77 patients. Demographic characteristics of patients, clinical data and main pharmacological treatment were recorded through a questionnaire. Developmental trauma exposure was assessed by Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Comparative analysis was performed with IBM SPSS using Chi-Square Test and t-Student test.

Results

From a total of 77 patients, 43 were immigrants and 34 were non-immigrants. Exposure to traumatic events showed significant differences between immigrants and non-immigrant in Child emotional abuse (64,4% immigrants, 35,3% non-immigrant), Child physical abuse (51,2% immigrants, 14,7% non-immigrant), Child Sexual Abuse (41,9% immigrants, 11,8% non-immigrant) and physical neglect (62,8% immigrants, 26,5% non-immigrant). Emotional neglect exposure was no significant between both groups. Total mean CTQ score was 37,53 in immigrants group and 52,60 in non-immigrant group.

Conclusions

According to our results, there are important and significant differences in developmental trauma exposure between immigrant and non-immigrant psychotic patients. These results should be considered by clinicians in order to design assessment program for this population.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.