Testing the trauma and Social Pathways model of psychosis as a predictor of unusual sensory experiences
Psychosis January 30, 2025 Keith Gaynor, C. Foy, K. Reddy et al.
Trauma and disrupted attachment contribute to psychotic-like experiences through dissociation. A cross-sectional online survey of 149 people who report unusual sensory experiences found that trauma exposure, anxious attachment, and dissociation predicted all six types of unusual sensory experiences tested. Structural equation modeling showed a dual path to auditory hallucinations: either through disrupted attachment or trauma exposure, both mediated by dissociation. Social comparison and compartmentalization were not strong components of the model. The findings suggest that addressing adverse events, dissociation, and attachment in clinical work could improve understanding and treatment of psychosis, and that fostering attachment security in mental health services may improve engagement.