Stressful Childhood Experiences and Clinical Outcomes in People with Serious Mental Illness: A Gender Comparison in a Clinical Psychiatric Sample

• NCJ Number: 247950
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 419-429
• Author(s): Kristina Muenzenmaier; Andres R. Schneeberger; Dorothy M. Castille; Joseph Battaglia; Azizi A. Seixas; Bruce Link
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines stressful childhood experiences (SCE) including childhood abuse and family context in a cohort of 183 people diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and compares gender specific rates of SCE and clinical outcome variables.

Abstract

This study examines stressful childhood experiences (SCE) including childhood abuse and family context in a cohort of 183 people diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and compares gender specific rates of SCE and clinical outcome variables. 111 men and 72 women with SMI were interviewed regarding SCE and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, dissociative symptoms, risk for self-harm, and adult re-victimization. Both genders endorse high rates of SCE. Cumulative SCE (the sum of seven SCE) are linked to increased levels of all four outcome variables after adjusting for demographic factors. The study addresses the need to assess cumulative SCE in a population with SMI and its effects on clinical outcomes in both genders. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.