The effects of trauma type, age of onset and sex on transdiagnostic psychopathological traits

The effects of trauma on enduring transdiagnostic psychopathological traits are unclear. Here we examined associations between exposure to sexual and/or physical violence and 5 empirically derived psychopathological traits in 842 community-dwelling adults with varied mental health histories (37.89% male; age 18–45, mean 29.73, s.d. 7.77). We further tested for dose–response, developmental timing and sex-specific effects. Trauma was exclusively associated with negative affectivity and antisocial schizotypy. One sexual trauma exposure elevated both constructs and attenuated sex differences in their expression, with no additional effects of cumulative exposure or developmental timing. One physical violence exposure elevated both constructs when experienced before mid-adolescence and adulthood, with dose–response effects for antisocial schizotypy, especially in males. Physical violence more strongly affected negative affectivity in females with earlier first exposure. These findings indicate that trauma influences select transdiagnostic traits in a way that depends on trauma type and dose, and survivor sex and age, emphasizing the importance of personalized care.