Prevalence and outcomes of childhood trauma in people with intellectual disability and borderline intellectual functioning: findings from a prospective UK population-based cohort study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background There have been limited studies investigating psychiatric outcomes of childhood trauma in individuals with intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning. Aims To investigate the associations of (a) intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning with childhood trauma up to age 11 years; and (b) childhood trauma with psychiatric diagnostic, prescribing and behavioural outcomes in adolescence and early adulthood among individuals with intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning. Method This was a prospective cohort study using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort with linked primary care data. Results Of 8661 participants, 310 had intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning and 107 had intellectual disability. We found increased odds of bullying (odds ratio = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.39 – 2.43) and sexual abuse (odds ratio = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.09 – 4.11) among individuals with intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning compared with those without. In the group with intellectual disability, the odds of bullying were attenuated (odds ratio = 1.66, 95% CI: 0.97 – 2.86), and estimates for sexual abuse were imprecise (odds ratio = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.09 – 5.09). Among those with intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning, we found increased odds of challenging behaviour (odds ratio = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.05 – 6.57), psychotropic prescribing (odds ratio = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.55 – 4.81), and suicidal and self-harm behaviours (odds ratio = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.15 – 10.20) in individuals who had experienced bullying, and increased odds of challenging behaviour (odds ratio = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.28 – 8.53) in individuals who had experienced emotional abuse compared with those who had experienced no trauma. Conclusions We provide evidence of increased odds of childhood bullying and sexual abuse among those with intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning. In this group, bullying is associated with increased odds of challenging behaviour, psychotropic prescribing, and suicidal and self-harm behaviours.
Source: BJPsych Open
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,550
Funders: Wellcome Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust/Institute of Cancer Research, NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Department of Health and Social Care, Rosetrees Trust, Cardiff University, University of Bristol, Goddard Space Flight Center, Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research, University of Bristol, Medical Research Council, Helse Sør-Øst RHF, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Awards: G1653957966, ALSPAC: consolidation of a two generation cell line backed resource, for the study of the environment and genetic determinants of health and development from before birth to late puberty., G1924190148, G2179969359, The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) 2024-2029, G3175323542, ALSPAC The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: An international resource for population genomics and lifecourse epidemiology. Core Programme Support 2011-2013., G3915381216, G3957671202, G4182683118, G4219545549, G4302154454, Statistical Methods for Causal Inference, Influences on psychosocial and physical health in early adulthood: phenotypic enrichment of the ALSPAC cohort through linkage to primary care electronic patient records and other databases., Cohorts as Platforms for Mental Health research (CaP:MH), The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children: An international resource for population genomics and lifecourse epidemiology. Core Programme Support 2011-2013., G6737906592, University of Bristol - Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology, G7561666183, Influences on psychosocial and physical health in early adulthood: phenotypic enrichment of the ALSPAC cohort through linkage to primary care electronic patient records and other databases., University of Bristol - Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology, G8383967617, G8393905554, G8476933502, G8666504171, G962835110
OpenAlex ID: W7169695949