Abstract Objectives To assess the prevalence of early trauma in individuals with onset of schizophrenia (SZ) at early (≤ 18 years) and adult (> 18 years) ages (EOP and AOP, respectively) and explore relationships between the onset of disease and clinical variables including traumatic events and psychotic and mood symptoms. Methods Subjects with SZ (n = 71) and EOP and AOP were compared for history of psychological trauma, sexual abuse, and physical punishment using the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report - Short Form (ETISR-SF). They were also compared for history of comorbidities and affective disorders using the Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis and Affective Disorders, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. Coefficients were calculated for correlations between scale results and disease duration. Results Early trauma was significantly associated with an early onset psychotic episode (r = -0.315, p < 0.01). General trauma and depressive symptoms in adulthood were also associated (r = 0.442, p < 0.01), as were social anxiety symptoms and early trauma (r = 0.319, p < 0.01). Total ETISR-SF scores and the physical abuse item were significantly higher in EOP than in AOP. In the hierarchical regression, PANSS scores were best predicted by a model including the duration of disease and age of first psychotic episode (R = 0.303). Conclusions Our results support the hypothesis that early trauma, including physical abuse, may play a relevant role in schizophrenia symptoms, such as an earlier psychotic occurrence, as well as features of other psychiatric disorders, such as greater severity of social anxiety and depression.

Resumo Objetivos Avaliar o padrão de apego em portadores de esquizofrenia e discutir a relação que tais padrões apresentam com a sintomatologia psicótica e as comorbidades dos pacientes investigados. Métodos Vinte pacientes diagnosticados com esquizofrenia de acordo com os critérios do Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais, 5ª edição (DSM-5) foram submetidos a avaliação de sintomas retrospectivos e avaliação cuidadosa do número e modo de mudança de cuidador da infância. A Entrevista Diagnóstica para Psicoses e Transtornos Afetivos (DI-PAD) foi utilizada para avaliar sintomas relacionados à esquizofrenia (sintomas positivos e negativos), depressão e mania. As comorbidades de transtorno de ansiedade foram avaliadas pela Escala de Ansiedade Social de Liebowitz (LSAS), Escala de Sintomas Obsessivo-Compulsivos de Yale-Brown (Y-BOCS) e Entrevista de Pânico e Esquizofrenia (PaSI). Os instrumentos Questionário das Experiências nas Relações Próximas-Estruturas Relacionais (ECR-RS) e Inventário de Autorrelato de Trauma Precoce - Forma Curta (ETISR-SF) foram utilizados para avaliar padrões de apego e histórico traumático, respectivamente. Resultados Foram identificadas correlações significativas entre a ocorrência de traumas precoces e o apego do tipo ansioso. Também foi verificada a relação entre traumas gerais e sintomas de pânico, constatando-se que as crises de pânico antecipam surtos quando predominam sintomas ansiosos, somáticos, alucinações e ideias delirantes. Foi observado que a ocorrência de traumas precoces contribui para o pânico, elevando o risco de episódios psicóticos. Conclusão . Os resultados indicam que as adversidades ambientais na infância estão associadas com o risco de desenvolvimento de esquizofrenia e de outras psicoses mais tarde na vida.

Abstract Objective To evaluate attachment patterns in subjects with schizophrenia and their relationships to early traumatic events, psychotic symptoms and comorbidities. Methods Twenty patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) underwent retrospective symptom assessment and careful assessment of the number and manner of childhood caregiver changes. The Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis and Affective Disorders (DI-PAD) was used to assess symptoms related to schizophrenia (positive and negative symptoms), depression and mania. Anxiety disorder comorbidities were assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Yale-Brown Obsessions and Compulsions Scale (Y-BOCS) and Panic and Schizophrenia Interview (PaSI). Experience in Close Relationships – Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) and Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETISR-SF) were used to assess attachment patterns and traumatic history, respectively. Results Moderate and significant correlations between attachment patterns and early trauma showed that greater severity of anxious attachment was predicted by a higher frequency of total early traumas (Spearman ρ = 0.446, p = 0.04), mainly general traumas (ρ = 0.526, p = 0.017; including parental illness and separation, as well as natural disaster and serious accidents). Among the correlations between early trauma and comorbid symptoms, panic attacks occurring before the onset of schizophrenia showed significant and positive correlations with ETISR-SF total scores and the sexual trauma subscale. Conclusion Children with an unstable early emotional life are more vulnerable to the development of psychopathology, such as panic anxiety symptoms. Traumatic events may also predict later schizophrenia.