Health-related quality of life and trauma history in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Many with schizophrenia report exposure to trauma which may reduce health-related quality of life (HRQOL). To explore whether different forms of trauma are linked to different domains of HRQOL, and whether multiple trauma experiences have a cumulative effect, trauma history was gathered along with a measure of HRQOL among 102 adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Participants were divided into those with and without report of sexual trauma, assault trauma, and trauma related to harm to others. Analysis of variance revealed that participants endorsing sexual trauma had poorer levels of general health, vitality, emotional-related role function, and mental health. Participants endorsing trauma related to harm to others reported poorer physical-related role function, general health, social function, and emotional-related role function. No evidence was found linking assaulted-related trauma to HRQOL. Greater numbers of trauma were related to poorer HRQOL. Results suggest differing forms of trauma may individually and cumulatively impact HRQOL in schizophrenia.