Severe Mental Disorders and Stressful Life Events

Abstract

Background: The relationship between stressful life events and development of severe mental disorders seems relevant. Method: The objectives were: to determine stressful life events in 166 patients with severe mental disorders; to compare levels of symptoms, internalized stigma, difficulties in emotional regulation and well-being between patients with and without a history of stressful life events; and to study the differential profile of patients according on gender. Results: The 75.3% mentioned a stressful life event that had significantly impacted their lives. Participants with a history of stressful events had poorer perceived health and more suicide attempts. They had less positive affect, greater intensity of psychopathological symptoms and difficulties in emotional regulation. From a gender perspective, bullying was the most reported stressful event among men, while sexual abuse was the most reported among women. Conclusions: It is necessary to assess and conduct long-term follow-up of children and adolescents to prevent theirs impact.

Keywords

• severe mental disorders
• stressful life events
• suicidal behaviour