Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL), childhood trauma (CT), sociodemographic factors, and clinical characteristics in patients with severe mental disorders. METHOD: A total of 158 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders or bipolar disorder were evaluated. Data were collected using the Short Form-12 (SF-12), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale, and sociodemographic information form. RESULTS: CT was reported in 62.7% of participants. SF-12 physical component scores were lower in women (p=0.012), married individuals (p=0.002), and patients with comorbidities (p=0.005). SF-12 mental component scores were lower in patients who smoked (p=0.013) and used substances (p=0.030), treated with long-acting injectable antipsychotics (p=0.008), and had a history of suicide attempts (p=0.014). Physical HRQoL scores were negatively correlated with age (r=-0.222, p=0.006), body mass index (r=-0.277, p=0.002) and illness duration (r=-0.215, p=0.010); mental HRQoL scores were negatively correlated with antipsychotic dose (r=-0.166, p=0.041) and CGI-S scores (r=-0.376, p <0.001). Emotional neglect (β=0.220, p=0.018) and physical abuse (β=0.252, p=0.006) were associated with lower physical HRQoL scores; emotional neglect (β=0.212, p=0.019) and sexual abuse (β=0.299, p<0.001) were associated with lower mental HRQoL scores. CONCLUSION: CT was found to be a key factor contributing to lower HRQoL in individuals with severe mental disorders. Our findings emphasize the importance of screening for CT and trauma-focused care approaches in mental healthcare services.