Social support in childhood decreases the risk of psychosis

Objective:Perceived support decreases the risk of developing PTSD. People with psychosis have been exposed to more childhood trauma than non-clinical control groups while the degree of social support remains unknown. Therefore... [ view full abstract ]

Objective:

Perceived support decreases the risk of developing PTSD. People with psychosis have been exposed to more childhood trauma than non-clinical control groups while the degree of social support remains unknown. Therefore we sought to examine the presence of perceived support in childhood in people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and to explore whether it decreased the risk of psychosis. Furthermore, we examined the extent of current family contact in order to examine any association with exposure to childhood trauma.

Method:

This was a case-control study including 101 people with non-affective FEP (F20 - 29, except

F21) and 101 non-clinical control persons. The catchment area was Region Zealand,

Denmark (approx. 820.000 inhabitants) and the inclusion period was April 2011 to April

2013. Data included extensive demographic information. Childhood trauma were assessed

with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and parental separation, institutionalization and

social support with the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire.

Results:

The FEP group reported less peer support (66 % versus 92 % p < 0.001) and less adult support (51 % versus 95 %, p < 0.001) during childhood compared to the control group. Peer support was associated with a decreased risk of psychosis also when trauma were adjusted for. Furthermore, peer support decreased the risk of psychosis caused by childhood trauma with a factor 10. Those who did not experience social support in childhood reported more childhood trauma and less current face-to-face family contact.

Conclusion:

Our paper is one of the first to show that people with a FEP may have experienced less

support in childhood and that it is related to more childhood trauma. Social support during

childhood seems to be important for the development of psychosis and those with more

childhood trauma may require additional assistance to secure and sustain a strong supportive

network.