Childhood maltreatment and poor functional outcomes at the transition to adulthood: a comparison of prospective informant- and retrospective self-reports of maltreatment

The Association Between Child Maltreatment and Loneliness Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta-Analysis

While there is evidence that child maltreatment is positively associated with loneliness, the strength of this association is not yet clear. It is also unclear whether the magnitude and statistical significance of this association varies across groups of individuals. Therefore, this meta-analysis examines whether there are differences in loneliness between individuals with and without maltreatment histories, and which factors may influence the association between child maltreatment and loneliness. A three-level meta-analysis was conducted on 52 studies reporting 116 effect sizes (N = 1,705,493; Mage = 30.93; 49.6% females). Results showed a medium overall effect (g = 0.45, p < .001, 95% CI [0.36, 0.53]), indicating that individuals with maltreatment histories, on average, feel lonelier than individuals without maltreatment histories. Moderator analyses showed that effect sizes were larger for emotional abuse and emotional neglect as compared to other types of child maltreatment and decreased when participants were older at the time of loneliness assessment. These findings suggest that individuals with maltreatment histories, especially those who have been emotionally abused and/or emotionally neglected, are vulnerable to experiencing loneliness across the lifespan. The results also suggest that feelings of loneliness warrant attention in prevention and intervention programs for individuals with maltreatment histories.

Childhood maltreatment influences adult brain structure through its effects on immune, metabolic, and psychosocial factors

Childhood maltreatment (CM) leads to a lifelong susceptibility to mental ill-health which might be reflected by its effects on adult brain structure, perhaps indirectly mediated by its effects on adult metabolic, immune, and psychosocial systems. Indexing these systemic factors via body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rates of adult trauma (AT), respectively, we tested three hypotheses: (H1) CM has direct or indirect effects on adult trauma, BMI, and CRP; (H2) adult trauma, BMI, and CRP are all independently related to adult brain structure; and (H3) childhood maltreatment has indirect effects on adult brain structure mediated in parallel by BMI, CRP, and AT. Using path analysis and data from N = 116,887 participants in UK Biobank, we find that CM is related to greater BMI and AT levels, and that these two variables mediate CM's effects on CRP [H1]. Regression analyses on the UKB MRI subsample (N = 21,738) revealed that greater CRP and BMI were both independently related to a spatially convergent pattern of cortical effects (Spearman's ρ = 0.87) characterized by fronto-occipital increases and temporo-parietal reductions in thickness. Subcortically, BMI was associated with greater volume, AT with lower volume and CPR with effects in both directions [H2]. Finally, path models indicated that CM has indirect effects in a subset of brain regions mediated through its direct effects on BMI and AT and indirect effects on CRP [H3]. Results provide evidence that childhood maltreatment can influence brain structure decades after exposure by increasing individual risk toward adult trauma, obesity, and inflammation.

Childhood maltreatment and personality disorders in adolescents and adults with psychotic or non-psychotic disorders

Introduction

While the attention to personality disorders (PD) and childhood maltreatment (CM) has grown in recent years, there remains limited understanding of the prevalence and distinctions of PD and CM in clinical populations of Chinese adolescents in comparison to adults.

Methods

A total of 1,417 participants were consecutively sampled from patients diagnosed with either psychotic or non-psychotic disorders in the psychiatric and psycho-counseling clinics at Shanghai Mental Health Center. The participants were categorized into two groups based on their age: adolescents (aged 15-21 years) and adults (aged 22-35 years). PDs were evaluated using a self-reported personality diagnostic questionnaire and a structured clinical interview, while CMs were assessed using the Chinese version of the Child Trauma Questionnaire Short Form.

Results

When comparing self-reported PD traits and CM between adolescents and adults, differences emerge. Adolescents, particularly in the psychotic disorder group, exhibit more pronounced schizotypal PD traits (p=0.029), and this pattern extends to non-psychotic disorders (p<0.001). Adolescents in the non-psychotic disorder group also report higher levels of emotional abuse (p=0.014), with a notable trend in physical abuse experiences compared to adults (p=0.057). Furthermore, the most prevalent PDs in the clinical sample are avoidant, borderline, and obsessive-compulsive PDs. Among patients with psychotic disorders, adolescents exhibit higher rates of schizoid, schizotypal, and obsessive-compulsive PDs compared to adults. Logistic regression analyses highlight distinct predictors for psychotic and non-psychotic disorders in adolescents and adults.

Discussion

The findings emphasize distinct differences in PDs and CMs between adolescent and adult groups, shedding light on their potential roles in psychotic and non-psychotic disorders.

Childhood sexual abuse and pervasive problems across multiple life domains: Findings from a five-decade study

The aim of this study was to use longitudinal population-based data to examine the associations between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and risk for adverse outcomes in multiple life domains across adulthood. In 937 individuals followed from birth to age 45y, we assessed associations between CSA (retrospectively reported at age 26y) and the experience of 22 adverse outcomes in seven domains (physical, mental, sexual, interpersonal, economic, antisocial, multi-domain) from young adulthood to midlife (26 to 45y). Analyses controlled for sex, socioeconomic status, prospectively reported child harm and household dysfunction adverse childhood experiences, and adult sexual assault, and considered different definitions of CSA. After adjusting for confounders, CSA survivors were more likely than their peers to experience internalizing, externalizing, and thought disorders, suicide attempts, health risk behaviors, systemic inflammation, poor oral health, sexually transmitted diseases, high-conflict relationships, benefit use, financial difficulties, antisocial behavior, and cumulative problems across multiple domains in adulthood. In sum, CSA was associated with multiple persistent problems across adulthood, even after adjusting for confounding life stressors, and the risk for particular problems incremented with CSA severity. The higher risk for most specific problems was small to moderate, but the cumulative long-term effects across multiple domains reflect considerable individual and societal burden.

Trauma Matters: Integrating Genetic and Environmental Components of PTSD

Trauma is ubiquitous, but only a subset of those who experience trauma will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this review, it is argued that to determine who is at risk of developing PTSD, it is critical to examine the genetic etiology of the disorder and individual trauma profiles of those who are susceptible. First, the state of current PTSD genetic research is described, with a particular focus on studies that present evidence for trauma type specificity, or for differential genetic etiology according to gender or race. Next, approaches that leverage non-traditional phenotyping approaches are reviewed to identify PTSD-associated variants and biology, and the relative advantages and limitations inherent in these studies are reflected on. Finally, it is discussed how trauma might influence the heritability of PTSD, through type, risk factors, genetics, and associations with PTSD symptomology.

A Systematic Review of Resilience Factors for Psychosocial Outcomes During the Transition to Adulthood Following Childhood Victimisation

Exposure to childhood victimisation (i.e. abuse, neglect, domestic violence or bullying) can detrimentally impact later psychosocial adjustment. However, this is not the case for all victimised children; some do well despite their experiences and are considered to be resilient. Understanding the factors associated with such resilience is important to inform interventions to support better psychosocial outcomes among victimised children. This review provides an overview of the extant research examining resilience factors for psychosocial outcomes during the transition to adulthood following exposure to childhood victimisation. Studies were identified through a systematic literature search of Embase, PsychINFO and Ovid MEDLINE databases. The 26 included studies spanned a range of psychosocial outcomes between ages 18-25, including education and work, housing and independent living, criminal behaviour, victimisation, and social and psychological adjustment. For each outcome, a variety of putative resilience factors had been investigated including those related to the individual, their family and the wider community within which they lived. However, because few studies had comparable resilience factors and psychosocial outcomes, it is difficult to draw conclusions about which factors are consistently associated with resilience to a particular psychosocial outcome. Additionally, this review revealed that the included studies were of variable methodological quality - many were limited by cross-sectional designs with retrospective self-reports of childhood victimisation, and convenience or unrepresentative samples. In this review, we also highlight gaps in knowledge about the co-occurring impact of multiple resilience factors in combination and the need for studies conducted in non-Western and low- and middle-income countries.

The impact of maternal childhood maltreatment on child externalizing behaviour and the mediating factors underlying this association: a three-level meta-analysis and systematic review

Child maltreatment can negatively impact not only survivors but also survivors' children. However, research on the intergenerational effect of maternal childhood maltreatment on child externalizing behaviour has yielded contradictory results and has not yet been systematically synthesised. The current three-level meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to provide a quantitative estimate of the strength of the association between maternal childhood maltreatment and child externalizing behaviour and to summarise research on potential mediating factors of this association. PsycINFO, PubMed, and Embase were searched and 39 studies with 82 effects sizes were included in the meta-analysis. Results revealed a small significant association between maternal childhood maltreatment and child externalizing behaviour (r = 0.16; 95% CI 0.12-0.19; publication bias-adjusted effect size: r = 0.12, 95% CI 0.08-0.16). Maternal mental health, particularly depressive symptoms, maternal parenting and children's maltreatment exposure were the most frequently examined mediators of this association, with relatively robust mediating effects for children's maltreatment exposure and maternal depressive symptoms, but mixed evidence for the mediating role of maternal parenting. This meta-analysis provides evidence for a small but significant association between maternal childhood maltreatment and children's externalizing behaviour, emphasizing the need to develop effective preventive and intervention strategies to minimise the effects of childhood maltreatment on the next generation.

A revised and extended systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between childhood adversity and adult psychiatric disorder

This study aimed to systematically review the evidence for an association between adversity experienced in childhood (≤ 17 years old), and the diagnosis of psychiatric disorder in adulthood. Electronic databases (Scopus, Medline (for Ovid), EMBASE, and PsychINFO) were searched for peer-reviewed, longitudinal cohort studies examining child or adolescent exposure to adversity, and adult-diagnosed depression, anxiety, psychotic disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse disorder, illness anxiety disorder, somatoform disorder, or personality disorder. A total of 39 manuscripts were retained. Results revealed a significant association between the following childhood exposures and adult mental disorder (1.24 ≤ Odds ratios ≤ 2.09): bullying (victimhood, and frequency); emotional abuse; neglect; physical abuse; parental loss; and general maltreatment (unspecified and/or multiple adversity exposure). There were opposing results for being a victim and perpetrator of bullying, and the result for sexual abuse was not statistically significant. There was some evidence of a dose-response relationship with those exposed to multiple forms of maltreatment having more two and a half times odds of developing a mental disorder (Odds ratio = 2.59). The result for sexual abuse is likely an artefact of the prospective assessment of this adversity. In summary, there was strong evidence of an association between childhood adversity and later mental illness, and this supports previously reported meta-analyses. The evidence suggests that childhood and adolescence is an important time for risk for later mental illness, and an important period in which to focus intervention strategies for those known to have been exposed to adversity, particularly multiple adversities.

Maternal parenting stress from birth to 36 months, maternal depressive symptoms, and physical punishment to 10-year-old children: a population-based birth cohort study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the association between parenting stress, maternal depressive symptoms, and use of physical punishment when the child is 10 years old.

METHODS

Data from the Tokyo Early Adolescence Survey on early adolescents and primary caregivers (N = 4478) were used. Frequency of using physical punishment, level of depressive symptoms (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6), and maternal parenting stress experienced at 1, 3, 9, 18, and 36 months after birth were evaluated. Multiple linear and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Mothers (1633) who provided information on parenting stress at all the five points were included for the analysis. After controlling for the child's age, sex, birth weight, maternal age, and annual household income, presence of maternal parenting stress at every time point, except at three months after birth, was significantly associated with an increased risk of using physical punishment with the 10-year-old. After adjusting for levels of depressive symptoms, significant associations were found between use of physical punishment and maternal parenting stress at 1 month (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 1.12-2.61) and 36 months (adjusted OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.10-2.61) after birth.

CONCLUSION

Maternal parenting stress experienced at 1 and 36 months after birth predicted use of physical punishment, even after adjusting for maternal depressive symptoms. Maternal support should, therefore, be provided to mothers to cope with parenting stress even three years after birth to prevent the use of physical punishment in early adolescence.

Child Maltreatment and Couples' Sexual Health: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is an interpersonal trauma reported by 35% to 40% of individuals in population-based studies in North America. It refers to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as physical and emotional neglect. Although there is a growing body of cross-sectional work focusing on associations between CM and sexual health, most studies have ignored the broader relationship context in which sexuality is experienced.

OBJECTIVES

The current review sought to systematically and critically appraise all studies that reported on the association between CM and couples' sexual health, to inform clinical care and recommendations for research.

METHODS

The electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycNET (PsycINFO, PsychArticles), Medline, CINAHL, and Eric for peer-reviewed journal articles published before September 2021. Eligible studies had to report on the association between any form of CM and any dimension of sexual health in couples or individuals in a romantic relationship.

RESULTS

In total, 13 studies (18 articles) were included in this systematic review: 4 studies pertained to clinical couples and 9, to community couples; 2 studies used a longitudinal design and 11, a cross-sectional design; 3 studies examined CM as a whole, 2 studies examined multiple subtypes of CM separately, 1 study examined both CM as a whole and its subtypes separately, whereas the other 7 studies focused on childhood sexual abuse. Results indicated that studies using valid measures of sexual health outcomes found significant associations between CM and worse outcomes - including declines over time - in both clinical and community samples. Mediators and moderators of these associations were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide preliminary support for the role of CM in couples' sexual health. There is a need for future longitudinal studies involving both members of the couple, valid and multidimensional measures of sexual health, and potential mediators and moderators. Bergeron S, Bigras N, Vaillancourt-Morel M-P. Child Maltreatment and Couples' Sexual Health: A Systematic Review. Sex Med Rev 2022;XX:XXX-XXX.

The Subjective Impact and Timing of Adversity Scale: A Feasibility Study Using Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data

This study assessed the feasibility of a multi-domain measure of the occurrence, impact, and timing of childhood/adolescent psychological adversity exposure, the Subjective Impact and Timing of Adversity Scale (SITA). Participants were from among those who had previously participated in two waves of data collection when aged approximately 14 and 21 years. Internal consistency estimates at both online and interview stages were acceptable for all SITA domains (with the exception of parental loss). SITA domain scores correlated meaningfully with scores on other scales and psychological measures, supporting convergent validity. Those with lifetime psychiatric diagnoses scored significantly higher on SITA domains than those not meeting diagnostic threshold. There was evidence of the importance of both the subjective impact and timing of adversity with regard to psychiatric diagnoses. The study demonstrates the viability of the SITA; however, further studies are required to substantiate these findings in larger samples.

Cluster analysis reveals distinct patterns of childhood adversity, behavioral disengagement, and depression that predict blunted heart rate reactivity to acute psychological stress

BACKGROUND

There is considerable evidence documenting associations between early life adversity, behavioral disengagement, and depression with blunted cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress. However, while often examined as independent predictors, it is also likely that a combination of these factors uniquely relate to cardiovascular reactivity.

PURPOSE

The present study employed multivariate cluster analysis to examine if distinct combinations of these outcomes relate to cardiovascular stress reactivity.

METHODS

Participants (N = 467) were predominantly female (60.6%) with a mean age of 19.30 years (SD = 0.82). Measures of early life adversity, behavioral disengagement, and depression were completed; in addition, participants had their blood pressure and heart rate monitored throughout a standardized stress testing session. Cardiovascular reactivity was calculated as the difference between mean stress and mean baseline cardiovascular values.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed two clusters with distinct patterns of exposure to early life adversity, levels of behavioral disengagement and depression, uniquely related to cardiovascular reactivity. In unadjusted models, Cluster 1 that was characterized by greater exposure to early life adversity, higher levels of behavioral disengagement and depression, was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) reactivity. Cluster 2 was characterized by reactivity values similar to the sample means. In fully adjusted models, Cluster 1 predicted heart rate reactivity to stress.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study identifies a behavioral cluster that is characteristic of a blunted heart rate reactivity profile, significantly extending the research in this area.

A soft baby carrier intervention enhances amygdala responses to infant crying in fathers: A randomized controlled trial

New fathers may grow into their parental role through active involvement in childcare. Spending time in physical contact with the child may promote an adaptive transition to fatherhood. In this randomized controlled trial, we tested the effects of a baby carrier intervention on fathers' hormonal and neural functioning. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined whether infant carrying affects neural reactivity to infant crying in first-time fathers, taking into account the role of the hormone oxytocin as a mediating mechanism and fathers' own childhood experiences as a potential moderating factor. Sixty first-time fathers (infant age M = 11.18 weeks, SD = 2.08) were randomly assigned to a baby carrier intervention group (n = 32 fathers) or a control group (n = 28 fathers). Fathers in the intervention group were instructed to use a baby carrier for three weeks, whereas fathers in the control group were instructed to use a baby seat. Before and after the intervention salivary oxytocin was measured and neural reactivity to infant crying was assessed using fMRI. Results showed that the infant carrier intervention increased amygdala reactivity to infant crying compared to the infant seat users. This effect was most pronounced in fathers with experiences of childhood abuse. The carrier intervention did not affect fathers' oxytocin levels. Our findings indicate that spending time in physical contact with the infant may promote attention to and accurate perception of infant signals, in particular in fathers with more adverse childhood experiences. Soft baby carriers may, therefore, facilitate an adaptive transition to fatherhood.

Childhood maltreatment and social functioning in psychotic disorders: a systematic review protocol

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is thought to play a key role in the etiology and course of psychotic disorders (PD). In addition, CM is related to neurobiological and clinical characteristics that can lead to poor social functioning. However, the extent to which CM and social functioning are directly associated in individuals with PD, is unclear. Therefore, we aim to systematically review the literature to provide an estimate on the strength of the association between CM and different domains of social functioning in PD and to summarize potential moderators and mediators of this association.Methods and analysis: To identify relevant studies, we will systematically search the following databases: Pubmed (Medline), PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science (Core Collection), and Pilots (trauma), manually search reference lists and contact experts in the field. Studies will be included if they investigate and report on the association between CM (exposure) and social functioning (outcome) in adults with PD. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full texts according to eligibility criteria, perform data extraction and assess study quality according to a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Analysis: Effect estimates will be pooled in a meta-analysis. Heterogeneity and publication bias will be assessed and the effects of potential moderators (genetic factors, type of diagnosis, duration of illness, type of CM and age at the time of CM exposure) will be analyzed using meta-regressions. Candidate moderators and mediators (neurocognition, cognitive schemas, comorbidities, stress sensitivity, attachment) will be also examined qualitatively.Ethics and dissemination: Because this review will make use of already published data, ethical approval will not be sought. This work has the potential to inform upcoming investigations on the association between the exposure to CM in PD and social functioning. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020175244.

Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Depressive Symptoms of Young Adults: Mediating Role of Childhood Trauma

Background: Studies have shown that low childhood socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a high prevalence of depressive symptoms. Childhood trauma, as a potential consequence of low SES, may play an important part, but the mediation effect of childhood trauma remains to be elucidated. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,807 university students. The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Economic Status-Youth Version, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory were used to measure childhood SES, childhood trauma, and current depressive symptoms, respectively. A structural equation model (SEM) was employed to demonstrate the mediating role of childhood trauma on the association between childhood SES and depressive symptoms. Results: The SEM demonstrated that childhood SES had significant indirect effects upon depressive symptoms via childhood trauma. Childhood trauma accounted for 89.3% of the total effect, indicating a profound mediation effect. Conclusions: The effect of childhood SES on the depressive symptoms of young adults was mediated by childhood trauma, which emphasizes the importance of early prevention and intervention of child neglect/abuse.