Evaluating childhood and adulthood victimization as predictors of psychotic disorders: findings from a nationwide study of women in jail

Abstract

Incarcerated women experience high rates of childhood victimization and adulthood interpersonal violence, which have been identified as risk factors for psychotic-spectrum disorders. This study included 491 women in jail, who completed structured diagnostic interviews and questionnaires concerning past victimization. Interpersonal violence in adulthood was a significant mediator of the association between childhood victimization and 12-month prevalence of any psychotic disorder. These findings demonstrate the importance of assessing victimization in childhood and adulthood relative to psychosis among women in jail.

Keywords:

• Child abuse
• trauma
• incarceration

Acknowledgements

Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.