Background: The thesis considers the impact of schizophrenia on an individualâÃÂÃÂs quality of life and well-being, which has been highlighted to an extent through existing studies and research. Few studies have examined the potential relationship between traumatic life events, attachment style and negative symptoms. This thesis therefore investigates this relationship through the use of qualitative and quantitative studies. Methods: The thesis is comprised of three separate studies. Each study, despite being a stand-alone paper, led from one to the next sequentially and logically. The first study was a systematic review, which sought to understand the association between traumatic life events and negative symptoms across the individualâÃÂÃÂs life span. The second study was qualitative to examine the nature and experience of negative symptoms in those individuals who were experiencing these and who had a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The final study was a larger quantitative study that investigated the association between traumatic life events, attachment style and negative symptoms, with a larger sample of people from across the United Kingdom. Findings: The systematic review revealed 34 studies that met the inclusion criteria, they investigated and reported on the association between traumatic life events and negative symptoms, these were conducted globally and of these, six revealed a positive significant association between childhood emotional neglect and negative symptoms. The qualitative study, from a sample of twenty individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, revealed that those individuals who in addition experienced negative symptoms were able to articulate their feelings and experiences, as well as state what they believed were the reasons for those negative symptoms. The final study within the PhD was a quantitative study with a sample size of 85 individuals, of whom 71 completed the study through to the six months follow up point. Traumatic life events, attachment style and negative symptoms were assessed using a range of measures, and subsequently negative symptoms were reassessed at six months. There was no significant association discovered between traumatic life events and negative symptoms and there was no evidence for a mediation model between traumatic life events, attachment style and negative symptoms. Conclusion: This PhD, through employing a mixed methods design, enabled a âÃÂÃÂgapâÃÂàin the literature to be explored in greater depth and revealed that there are few studies that research the association between traumatic life events and negative symptoms. This PhD also revealed that individuals who are experiencing negative symptoms do have insight into the reasons for those symptoms and are willing to articulate how they experience the symptoms. The final study revealed no association between trauma, attachment style and negative symptoms. Thus, this PhD highlights the paucity of research in this field.
Date of Award | 1 Aug 2021 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | - The University of Manchester
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Supervisor | Gillian Haddock (Supervisor) & Katherine Berry (Supervisor) |
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- adverse life events
- negative symptoms
- attachment
- schizophrenia
- psychosis
- trauma
An examination of negative symptoms, traumatic life events and attachment style: A mixed methods investigation
Butcher, I. (Author). 1 Aug 2021
Student thesis: Phd