Dolan, Hayley;
(2018)
Childhood trauma, negative schemas, and trust: an exploration using virtual reality.
Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
This thesis explores the impact of childhood trauma. Part one presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between childhood sexual abuse and auditory hallucinations. The results suggest that sexual abuse increases the likelihood of auditory hallucination development. A dose-response relationship was also observed, whereby sexual abuse of greater severity was associated with increased symptom severity. The results are discussed in the context of current theoretical understandings of childhood risk factors and auditory hallucinations. Part two reports on an empirical study that used virtual reality to explore the impact of childhood interpersonal trauma and negative schemas on trust. Seventy participants from the general population interacted with a virtual avatar. Lower ratings of this avatar’s trustworthiness, as well as a preference for greater interpersonal distance, were shown to be associated with increased experiences of particular forms of childhood trauma. The majority of these associations were found to be mediated by negative beliefs about the self and others. The potential mechanisms underlying these specific associations and the clinical implications are discussed. This study was a joint research project completed with Emilie Bourke, a fellow D.Clin.Psy Trainee at University College London. The findings of this researcher’s thesis are presented separately. Part three is a critical appraisal, providing thoughts and personal reflections regarding the research process as a whole. It discusses the difficulties of recruiting a clinical sample, considers the complexities of the study of trauma, and remarks upon the bi-directional relationship between research and clinical practice.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | D.Clin.Psy |
| Title: | Childhood trauma, negative schemas, and trust: an exploration using virtual reality |
| Event: | UCL |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Clinical, Edu and Hlth Psychology |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10055878 |
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