Research spotlight
At intervals we shall be featuring particular pieces of research that we hope you find interesting for discussion.
Our third research spotlight looks at an area which has sparked some interesting debates within mental health: the possible role of childhood abuse trauma in triggering psychotic illnesses. Dr John Read has been one prolific researcher in this field. Here he reviews the research literature, concluding that “researchers and clinicians should routinely ask about childhood trauma, when trying to understand or assist people diagnosed as psychotic or schizophrenic”.
- Reid J. et al 2005: Childhood trauma, psychosis and schizophrenia; a literature review with theoretical and clinical implications.: Psychosis and Schizophrenia [pdf 226k].
Our new (second) research spotlight proves very topical. It shows that the effects of sexual and physical abuse and other childhood traumas account for half to two-thirds of serious problems with illicit drug use. Therefore, progress in meeting national goals for reducing drug misuse need to address these common, stressful and disturbing childhood experiences.
- Dube, SR.et al.2003. Childhood Abuse, Neglect, and Household Dysfunction and the Risk of Illicit Drug Use: The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study [pdf 278k].
The first Research Spotlight reports the findings of a review by Nelson, Baldwin and Taylor (2006) on an aspect of physical health that troubles many adult survivors of sexual abuse: medically-unexplained physical symptoms.
- MentalHealth Problems and Medically-unexplained Physical Symptoms in Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Literature Review and Scoping Exercise
