Exploring the Impact of Trauma in Mental Health Difficulties (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Impact of Trauma and the Role of Attachment, Emotion Regulation, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma-Induced Cognitions and Dissociation in Individuals with Mental Health Difficulties
IRAS ID
213333
Contact name
Catherine George
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
One in seven children have experienced complex trauma after being exposed to neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or often a mixture of these. When exposed to such distressing events, this can have a great impact on the way they adjust to life. These children are at much greater risk of having mental health problems later in life, such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and psychosis. People with a diagnosis of psychosis may have strong beliefs not shared by others (delusions) or distortions in their sensory experiences (hallucinations). People with a diagnosis of BPD often have intense feelings and struggle to relate to others. Some people also have both diagnoses. It is however still unclear why people with childhood trauma develop different mental health problems.
This research project will explore this by looking at how people diagnosed with BPD and psychosis might differ in the type and severity of childhood trauma that they have experienced. It will also explore how they differ in the way they think about themselves, deal with their emotions and the way they connect with others. The groups will also be compared with people that do not have a mental health problem. All three groups will be asked to complete questionnaires. The study will include 120 people and will be completed within two years. The findings can help us understand better how people get distinct mental health problems in response to trauma and hopefully improve the way we help these people recover.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0179
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion