Childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms in patients of substance-dependence and schizophrenia

Pages: 499-506
Sumaiya Khan (Department fo Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia University , Delhi)
Raj Kumar Sahu (Department fo Psychiatry, Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi)
Rakesh Jain (Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra, Uttar Pradesh)

Increasing evidence supports the role of childhood trauma in the etiology of substance use disorder and schizophrenia, but underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Hence, in the present study we examined the associations between childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms in substance dependant patients and patients suffering from schizophrenia.A sample of 120 in-patients with diagnosis of CUD (60) and schizophrenia (60) according to the ICD10-DCR, were chosen by purposive sampling from Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra. CUDIT-R, the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short form (CTQ-SF) were administered on substance-dependent patients, whereas, PANSS, (DES-II), (CTQ-SF) were administered on patients with schizophrenia. Results indicated a significant difference between incidences of Emotional abuse, emotional neglect and Total CTQ score among the two groups. Low rates both of general and clinically significant dissociation, in patients of substance dependence were found. Further, patients with schizophrenia reported more childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms as compared to patients with substance dependence. A significant positive correlation was found between Childhood trauma and Mean DES score, Physical neglect and Mean DES score,Mean DES and sexual abuse in patients of schizophrenia. A significant correlation between, Childhood abuse and Mean DES score, Emotional abuse and dissociative symptoms, physical and sexual abuse with dissociation in patients of substance dependence. Understanding the relationship between dissociation and childhood trauma and its influence on outcome variables, clinicians would be able to better manage the services as per the needs of the patients and in developing an integrated approach to treatment.