(PS13-D79) The Role of Social Support on Psychotic Like Experiences in Those with a History of Childhood Sexual Assault

Background: Individuals exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACES) have exhibited almost three times the likelihood of experiencing psychosis in adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) specifically has been linked to persecutory delusions and delusions of reference, auditory and somatic hallucinations, disorganized symptoms, and paranoia in adulthood.  This literature suggests that ACEs may be connected to groups of psychotic symptoms rather than diagnoses themselves. Few studies have investigated the role of social support in the relationship between childhood trauma and psychosis, with limited focus on CSA specifically. However, women with a history of childhood trauma and low social support are at higher risk to develop a psychotic disorder, indicating a potential moderating effect of social support . Childhood social support is also associated with decreased risk of psychosis. Stigma surrounding CSA may result in lower social support surrounding this trauma type, leading to a supplementary risk factor or “double trauma” of CSA plus lack of support. The current study aims to evaluate the interaction between CSA and social support in predicting psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in the general population. We hypothesize that there will be a significant positive association between CSA and PLEs, with social support mediating this relationship. 

Methods: We are currently in the data collection stage, recruiting 80 individuals (40 with a history of CSA and 40 without) online collecting self-reported information including PLEs (Prodromal Questionnaire - Brief; Loewy et al., 2011), current and childhood social support (Social Defeat Scale; Gilbert & Allan, 1998, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; Zimet et al., 1998, Baudin et al., 2017), and CSA (CSA Questionnaire; Mohler-Kuo et al., 2013). We plan to use correlation and regression analysis to test the relationship between CSA, social support, and PLEs.

Results: Demographic results will be presented and gender differences will be explored, given previous evidence that CSA is more prevalent in women with psychosis (Grindley & Bradshaw, 2022).  Correlations between CSA and PLEs will be presented with effect sizes. Mediated regression analysis exploring the interaction between CSA and social support on PLEs will be presented.
Discussion: The importance of routinely inquiring about sexual assault - CSA in particular - as well as the necessity for trauma-informed care models in addressing psychosis will be discussed. It is possible that interventions to improve social support could benefit individuals with a history of CSA to mitigate risk of future psychotic symptoms.