INCREASED SAFETY BEHAVIOR IN SUBJECTS WITH CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND DELUSIONS

Abstract Background Personal space is the safe area around us causing discomfort when violated by others. Previous research has shown that our need for personal space can be shaped by previous and current experiences. For instance, childhood maltreatment is associated with altered personal space in healthy controls. Additionally, space regulation is altered in schizophrenia (with personal space being increased in patients with paranoia). Whether childhood maltreatment and dimensions of delusions are associated with increased safety behaviour in patients with schizophrenia is unknown. We therefore aim to test the association of childhood trauma and delusions with interpersonal distance in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Methods We assessed childhood trauma (CT) in both, healthy subjects and schizophrenia patients (matched for age, gender and education) with the childhood trauma scale. This scale is a self-report screening tool for experiences of abuse & neglect during childhood. Additionally, we assessed delusions in schizophrenia patients, using the dimensions of delusional experience scale (DDE), which includes ‘conviction’, ‘extension’, ‘bizarreness’, ‘disorganization’, and ‘pressure’ dimensions. We compared the interpersonal distance (stop-distance test) and comfort ratings at predetermined distances (fixed-distance test) between subjects with low/medium and high CT ratings. Likewise, interpersonal distance and comfort ratings of patients with and without delusions were compared. Results In our preliminary data (n = 27), subjects with high CT ratings showed an increased need for interpersonal space compared to subjects with low/medium CT. Additionally, the high CT group showed reduced comfort ratings at varying fixed distances. Likewise, patients with delusions had an increased interpersonal space and reduced comfort at fixed distances. Moreover, interpersonal space was associated with the severity of childhood trauma, and in particular with emotional neglect. Finally, interpersonal distance was associated with the degree to which the delusional belief involves various areas of patients’ lives (‘extension’ dimension of the DDE). Discussion Our preliminary data suggests that childhood maltreatment and dimensions of delusions are associated with increased safety behaviour in patients with schizophrenia. These findings are in line with previous studies, which found associations of interpersonal distance and childhood maltreatment in healthy controls as well as paranoia in patients with schizophrenia. Our findings are of particular interest, as increased safety behaviour may impact social functioning (i.e. lead to more social withdrawal) in patients with schizophrenia.