Associations between specific psychotic symptoms and specific childhood adversities are mediated by attachment styles: An analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey

Sitko, Katarzyna and Bentall, Richard P. and Shevlin, Mark and O'Sullivan, Noreen and Sellwood, William (2014) Associations between specific psychotic symptoms and specific childhood adversities are mediated by attachment styles: An analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey. Psychiatry Research, 217. pp. 202-209. ISSN 0165-1781

Text Rampone et al. 2016.docx - Accepted Version Download (584kB)

Abstract

Accumulated evidence over the past decade consistently demonstrates a relationship between childhood adversity and psychosis in adulthood. There is some evidence of specific associations between childhood sexual abuse and hallucinations, and between insecure attachment and paranoia. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey were used in assessing whether current attachment styles influenced the association between adverse childhood experiences and psychotic symptoms in adulthood. Hallucinations and paranoid beliefs were differentially associated with sexual abuse (rape and sexual molestation) and neglect, respectively. Sexual abuse and neglect were also associated with depression. The relationship between neglect and paranoid beliefs was fully mediated via anxious and avoidant attachment. The relationship between sexual molestation and hallucinations was independent of attachment style. The relationship between rape and hallucinations was partially mediated via anxious attachment; however this effect was no longer present when depression was included as a mediating variable. The findings highlight the importance of addressing and understanding childhood experiences within the context of current attachment styles in clinical interventions for patients with psychosis.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Hallucinations Delusions Paranoia Psychosis Trauma Indirect effects
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Noreen O'Sullivan
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2020 11:41
Last Modified:	04 Dec 2020 11:41
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/3193

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