DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2026.10524 ISSN: 0924-9338

Childhood trauma subtypes and specific symptom expression in first-episode psychosis

S. Hamzaoui, K. Mahfoudh, S. Walha, R. Lansari, A. Larnaout

Introduction

Childhood trauma is a well-established risk factor for psychosis. Beyond its global effect on symptom severity and prognosis, emerging evidence suggests that distinct trauma subtypes may be linked to specific psychotic symptoms.

Objectives

This study examined the associations between childhood maltreatment and individual symptom dimensions in first-episode psychosis (FEP).

Methods

We recruited 65 outpatients with FEP stabilized for at least three months. Childhood trauma was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF), and symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Correlations were explored between CTQ subscales and PANSS items. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The total CTQ score correlated positively with delusions (p=0.017, r=0.307), suspiciousness/persecution (p=0.025, r=0.289), unusual thought content (p=0.002, r=0.394), poor judgment and lack of insight (p=0.049, r=0.256), and poor impulse control (p=0.033, r=0.276). The significant correlations between CTQ subscales ans PANSS items are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

Correlations between types of Childhood adversity and PANSS Items

Table 1. Long description.

Type of Adversity
PANSS Items
p-value
r
Emotional abuse
Delusions
0.004 0.369
Suspiciousness/Persecution
0.009 0.335
Unusual thought content
0.001 0.425
Physical abuse
Delusions 0.009 0.334
Suspiciousness/Persecution
0.042 0.263
Unusual thought content
0.000 0.440
Sexual abuse
Poor judgment and lack of insight 0.036 0.271
Emotional neglect
Inattention 0.025 0.290
Physical neglect
Inattention 0.008 0.341

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the impact of early adversity on psychosis expression. Abuse was strongly related to positive symptoms while neglect was linked to attentional and social deficits. These results support the importance of trauma-based, individualized approaches in early intervention.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

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