Childhood trauma and its influence in the later development of psychotic disorder
Dereck Okpara, Ngozi Mary (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025103026785
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025103026785
Tiivistelmä
Childhood trauma is a significant challenge to societies across the world, which has long-term effects on mental illness, including susceptibility to psychotic disorders. Such disorders include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, which have a significant impact on the individual, family, and health care system. This thesis examined the degree to which varied forms of childhood trauma lead to psychotic disorders and their effective prevention and treatment intervention measures.
This study was intended to deepen understanding of the connection between childhood trauma and the later development of psychosis, in order to promote early identification and trauma-informed approaches in mental health care. The expected outcome was to synthesise existing evidence to inform nursing education and evidence-based practice, thereby supporting the development of more trauma-sensitive care approaches for individuals at risk of psychosis.
The research employed a systematic literature review approach to examine the existing literature on psychotic disorders and childhood trauma. Fifteen (N=15) peer-reviewed articles were obtained from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO databases. These articles were used to develop a literature review using inductive content analysis, and Savonia University of Applied Sciences guided the completion of the thesis.
The results showed that the reported types of traumas associated with psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia, were emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional neglect. There was an exposure response effect, in that multiple and severe exposures to trauma increased the risk developing psychotic out comes. Interventions identified included early trauma screening, trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy
(CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR),mindfulness-based interventions, psychoeducation, and community-based support models.
The findings of this study can be used in nursing education and the practice of psychiatric care of young individuals experiencing trauma. Further studies are recommended to be done on patient (children) experiences alongside culturally modified trauma-informed interventions, particularly in diverse as well as under-represented groups.
This study was intended to deepen understanding of the connection between childhood trauma and the later development of psychosis, in order to promote early identification and trauma-informed approaches in mental health care. The expected outcome was to synthesise existing evidence to inform nursing education and evidence-based practice, thereby supporting the development of more trauma-sensitive care approaches for individuals at risk of psychosis.
The research employed a systematic literature review approach to examine the existing literature on psychotic disorders and childhood trauma. Fifteen (N=15) peer-reviewed articles were obtained from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO databases. These articles were used to develop a literature review using inductive content analysis, and Savonia University of Applied Sciences guided the completion of the thesis.
The results showed that the reported types of traumas associated with psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia, were emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional neglect. There was an exposure response effect, in that multiple and severe exposures to trauma increased the risk developing psychotic out comes. Interventions identified included early trauma screening, trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy
(CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR),mindfulness-based interventions, psychoeducation, and community-based support models.
The findings of this study can be used in nursing education and the practice of psychiatric care of young individuals experiencing trauma. Further studies are recommended to be done on patient (children) experiences alongside culturally modified trauma-informed interventions, particularly in diverse as well as under-represented groups.