Gender-specific associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and schizotypal traits – an observational study in healthy young adults

Abstract Background and Hypotheses Schizotypy is a complex model containing a broad spectrum of personality traits that can be observed in the general population as well as in psychiatric patients. There is compelling evidence that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are correlated with schizotypal traits in healthy individuals. We hypothesize that associations between specific forms of abuse and distinct schizotypal traits will demonstrate gender-specific differences. Study Design The present study relies on a dataset designed and collected for the VELAS-study (VELAS: Ventral language stream in schizophrenia with regard to semantic and visuo-spatial processing anomalies) in Zurich, Switzerland. Young adults completed an online questionnaire which included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE). To test individual associations, gender-specific linear regression models were calculated. Study Results A total of 597 healthy young adults completed the online questionnaire. Gender-specific linear regression models revealed strong associations of emotional abuse with all schizotypal traits in both sexes with stronger effect sizes for male subjects. In men, sexual abuse was associated with Unusual Experiences, while in women it was associated with Disorganisation. Emotional neglect showed an association with Introvertive Anhedonia in both genders, with stronger effect sizes for male than female participants. Physical neglect exhibited an association with Introvertive Anhedonia solely in male subjects. Conclusions Our gender-specific results give a deeper insight into associations of ACEs with schizotypal traits and serve as a puzzle piece in understanding risk constellations in the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders.