Background. The reported link between psychological trauma and onset of psychosis remains controversial. Aims. To examine associations between self-reported psychological trauma and psychotic symptoms as a function of prior evidence of vulnerability to psychosis (psychosis proneness). Method. At baseline, 2524 adolescents aged 14-24 years provided self-reports on psychological trauma and psychosis proneness, and at follow-up (on average 42 months later) participants were interviewed for presence of psychotic symptoms. Results. Self-reported trauma was associated with psychotic symptoms, in particular at more severe levels (adjusted OR1.89,95% CI1.16-3.08) and following trauma associated with intense fear, helplessness or horror. The risk difference between those with and without self-reported trauma at baseline was 7% in the group with baseline psychosis proneness, but only 1.8% in those without (adjusted test for difference between these two effect sizes: χ2=4.6, P=0.032). Conclusions. Exposure to psychological trauma may increase the risk of psychotic symptoms in people vulnerable to psychosis.

Background. The reported link between psychological trauma and onset of psychosis remains controversial. Aims. To examine associations between self-reported psychological trauma and psychotic symptoms as a function of prior evidence of vulnerability to psychosis (psychosis proneness). Method. At baseline, 2524 adolescents aged 14-24 years provided self-reports on psychological trauma and psychosis proneness, and at follow-up (on average 42 months later) participants were interviewed for presence of psychotic symptoms. Results. Self-reported trauma was associated with psychotic symptoms, in particular at more severe levels (adjusted OR1.89,95% CI1.16-3.08) and following trauma associated with intense fear, helplessness or horror. The risk difference between those with and without self-reported trauma at baseline was 7% in the group with baseline psychosis proneness, but only 1.8% in those without (adjusted test for difference between these two effect sizes: χ2=4.6, P=0.032). Conclusions. Exposure to psychological trauma may increase the risk of psychotic symptoms in people vulnerable to psychosis.