Children's adverse experiences and psychotic chronification

Abstract

Introduction. Research evidence points to a critical period of about five years after the first psychotic episode, being its resolution of utmost importance for the chronicity of the disorder. In addition, several studies suggest the high correlation between adult psychosis and childhood adversity, and a dose-response relationship in severity level. This research aims to determine the dose-response relationship between adult psychosis and put it in relation to the resolution of the critical period.

Method. The sample was obtained among 45 patients undergoing treatment at the San Agustín University Hospital who experienced some psychotic episode. Questionnaires were applied for the analysis of psychopathology, childhood adversity and other sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Results. The results confirm the relationship between the frequency of childhood adversity and psychotic chronification.

Conclusions. Our research highlights the importance of childhood adversity in the future course of a psychosis and highlights the importance of anamnesis focusing this regard.