Early adversity, early psychosis and mediating factors

The study aimed to investigate childhood adversity in a sample of clients with first-episode psychosis. The mediating impact of dissociation and early maladaptive schemas and moderating effect of social support were investigated.
The study (N = 42) assessed childhood adversity using the Parental Bonding Instrument and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Early Maladaptive Schema were measured using the Young Schema Questionnaire (Short form), the Dissociative Experiences Scale (2nd Edition) measured Dissociation and the Social Support Questionnaire assessed the quality and size of each participant’s social network. Correlational, mediation and moderation analyses were used.
There were high levels of childhood adversity within this sample. Dissociation did not mediate the relationship between childhood adversity and psychosis. Some early maladaptive schemas concerned with unrelenting standards and insufficient self-control mediated the relationship between adversity and psychosis, in particular hallucinations. Social support, in terms of both quality and quantity was an important moderator between childhood adversity and psychosis.
The study supports the notion that childhood adversity is a risk factor for psychosis and highlights some evidence about specific mediating and moderating mechanisms.