Association between traumatic experiences and psychosis among incarcerated men

The possible influence of traumatic experiences on subsequent manifestations of psychosis has been the subject of intense scientific debate in the last decade. Whereas some authors have found a clear association between trauma and psychosis, others have pointed out methodological deficiencies in the research or have found only weak associations. Others found no association between trauma and psychosis in exclusive samples of men and recommend the use of studies stratified by sex. This article uses the data from an epidemiological study of a random sample of 500 male inmates in two prisons in Andalusia (Spain) to analyze the association between psychosis and trauma. The inmates were diagnosed using The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) interviews by teams of experienced clinicians. The results show a clear association between traumatic events and some functional psychosis or some psychosis, including induced psychoses. These associations resist the possible effect of confusing variables such as the origin of the inmates, educational level, or having an addictive disorder. We discuss the need to pay special attention to traumatic experiences such as witnessing extreme violence against others or participating in acts of violence, particularly in men. Our results are compatible with different theories that defend the association between trauma and psychosis.