The relationships between trauma history, trait anger, and stigma in persons diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Samantha D. Outcalt and Paul H. Lysaker

Psychosis, 2012, vol. 4, issue 1, 32-41

Abstract: The presence of a trauma history is linked to more recalcitrant psychosocial deficits for persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. Less clear are the psychological mechanisms by which trauma impedes function over time. To explore this, the current study examines two variables that could be affected by trauma and which may lead to disruption in quality of life: stigma and anger. Participants were 78 adults with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who completed concurrent assessments of trauma, self stigma and anger expression at baseline, and then repeated the assessments of stigma and anger five months later. Comparisons of groups with and without a history of sexual trauma revealed that those who had experienced trauma reported greater levels of discrimination experience, alienation, and social withdrawal due to stigma at baseline and five months later. The group without a history of sexual trauma also reported greater levels of trait anger and inward expression of anger than the group who did not report sexual trauma. Results may suggest that trauma history may lead to an increased vulnerability to stigmatizing beliefs as well as the experience of chronic anger which is inwardly directed. The presence of a trauma history is linked to more recalcitrant psychosocial deficits for persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. Less clear are the psychological mechanisms by which trauma impedes function over time. To explore this, the current study examines two variables that could be affected by trauma and which may lead to disruption in quality of life: stigma and anger. Participants were 78 adults with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who completed concurrent assessments of trauma, self stigma and anger expression at baseline, and then repeated the assessments of stigma and anger five months later. Comparisons of groups with and without a history of sexual trauma revealed that those who had experienced trauma reported greater levels of discrimination experience, alienation, and social withdrawal due to stigma at baseline and five months later. The group without a history of sexual trauma also reported greater levels of trait anger and inward expression of anger than the group who did not report sexual trauma. Results may suggest that trauma history may lead to an increased vulnerability to stigmatizing beliefs as well as the experience of chronic anger which is inwardly directed.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2011.591422

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