Exploratory study on the traumatic experience of people with schizophrenia

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the inter-relationship between traumatic experience and the presenting psychotic symptoms of people with schizophrenia. Literature shows that there are three possible ways in which trauma can affect psychosis: (1) by influencing developmental trauma; (2) by being diagnosed with psychosis and the subsequent invasive treatment and the reinforcement between trauma and psychosis; and (3) trauma experienced as a result of increased vulnerability to victimization (Walsh et al., 2003). Other literature indicates that the content or themes of traumatic experience and the presenting psychotic symptoms of people with schizophrenia are related. (Dvir, Denietolis & Frazier, 2013; Hardy et al., 2005; Read, van Os, Morrison & Ross, 2005). However, limited studies exploring the traumatic experiences of people with schizophrenia are found in the local context. Therefore, in-depth qualitative interviews and inductive analysis were conducted for this study. Using purposive sampling, participants were recruited from either halfway houses or the Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) of a NGO.

Participants were found to suffer from traumatic experience before the onset of schizophrenia, mostly happened since childhood or young adulthood. The content of their psychotic symptoms were somewhat related to the themes of their traumatic experiences. Association between their unmet needs and unexpressed emotions, were also identified. The treatment process, such as the side effects of antipsychotic drugs and hospitalization, also induced secondary trauma for some participants. In addition, negative influences due to suffering from schizophrenia, including stigmatization and victimization, were also found in this study.

The significant of the study is to provide mental health professionals, especially social workers, with a more comprehensive understanding of the presenting symptoms of people with schizophrenia. Hence the service orientation will be more comprehensive and more effective.