Demographic and mental health correlates of childhood emotional abuse and neglect in a Hong Kong sample

Prevalence and associated factors of adolescent psychological abuse, neglect in Western China a multi-center cross-sectional study

Background: The western region of China has a dense population, relatively underdeveloped economy, and a significant number of left-behind children. Currently, the prevalence of adolescent psychological abuse, neglect, and the factors associated with these issues in the region remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the current status of adolescent psychological abuse and neglect and its associated factors in this region.Methods: Data were collected from 50 schools in western China through cluster sampling to target adolescents aged 12 to 18. A comprehensive survey form was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics of adolescents. The Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale was employed to assess the current psychological abuse and neglect of adolescents. Independent samples t-tests were used for inter-group comparisons. A Directed Acyclic Graph was constructed for controlling confounding variables. Subsequently, binary logistic regression analysis was performed, and a nomogram risk factors model was developed using R Studio.Results: This study included 12,743 teenagers, with an average age of 15.53(±1.39) years. Among them, 4,965 individuals, accounting for 39.0%, reported experiences of psychological abuse, while 4,167 individuals, accounting for 32.7%, reported experiences of neglect. The rates of psychological abuse and neglect in adolescents are influenced by gender, grade, left-behind experience, parental marital status, and living on campus (P < .05).Conclusion: Adolescents in western China exhibit higher rates of psychological abuse and neglect compared to those in the eastern and northern regions of China. Gender, grade, left-behind experience, and family factors significantly influence the psychological abuse and neglect of adolescents.

Perceived Community Belonging as a Moderator: Effects of Childhood Abuse on Health and Well-Being Among Middle-Aged and Older Canadians

This study examined the moderating role of perceived community belonging in the relationship between childhood abuse and health and well-being outcomes among Canadian individuals aged 55 and older. Using data from the 2014 Canadian General Social Survey (n = 14,416), multiple linear regression models revealed that women who experienced either childhood physical or sexual abuse reported poorer self-rated general and mental health, as well as lower life satisfaction, compared to those without such histories. The most pronounced effects were observed among women who experienced both types of abuse. For men, a similar pattern was evident only for those who experienced childhood physical abuse. Notably, among women, a strong sense of community belonging lessened the negative effects of both types of childhood abuse on all examined outcomes. These findings underscore the protective role of perceived community belonging against the consequences of childhood abuse for older women. They illuminate the crucial role of gerontological social workers and scholars in promoting community integration and support. Focusing on these areas, especially for those with traumatic histories, can potentially improve their overall health and well-being.

COULD FAMILY WELL-BEING MODERATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND SOMATOFORM DISSOCIATION? A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

The impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been well documented. One possible consequence of ACEs is dissociation, which is a major feature of post-traumatic psychopathology and is also associated with considerable impairment and health care costs. Although ACEs are known to be associated with both psychoform and somatoform dissociation, much less is known about the mechanisms behind this relationship. Little is known about whether social and interpersonal factors such as family environments would moderate the relationship between ACEs and somatoform dissociation. This paper discusses the importance of having a positive and healthy family environment in trauma recovery. We then report the findings of a preliminary study in which we examined whether the association between ACEs and somatoform dissociation would be moderated by family well-being in a convenience sample of Hong Kong adults (N = 359). The number of ACEs was positively associated with somatoform dissociative symptoms, but this association was moderated by the level of family well-being. The number of ACEs was associated with somatoform dissociation only when the family well-being scores were low. These moderating effects were medium. The findings point to the potential importance of using family education and intervention programs to prevent and treat trauma-related dissociative symptoms, but further investigation is needed.

Childhood Emotional Neglect and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Mediating Role of Social Engagement

Studies have demonstrated that childhood maltreatment and adverse experiences lead to impaired cognitive function. However, relatively few studies have examined the independent effect of childhood emotional neglect on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults, and the role of social engagement in this relationship. Using a sample from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the current study examined the mediating role of social engagement in the association between childhood emotional neglect and cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults. Participants were 32,540 middle-aged and older adults (Mage = 63.45, SD = 8.83). Data were analyzed using a fixed effects model for panel data and bootstrap resampling method. Results showed that participants who experienced emotional neglect had poorer cognitive function (β = -.068, p < .001). Social engagement mediated 7.55% of the association between emotional neglect and cognitive function (β = -.004, 95% CI [-0.006, -0.002], p < .05). The results indicated that interventions are required to improve awareness of emotional neglect and facilitate healthy parenting practices. Further research on how to motivate adults who experienced emotional neglect to engage in social activities is necessary.

The mediating role of sleep problems and depressed mood between psychological abuse/neglect and suicidal ideation in adolescent childhood: a multicentred, large sample survey in Western China

BACKGROUND

Adolescent suicidal ideation are associated with factors including psychological abuse/neglect, sleep problems, and depressed mood, but the systematic effects of these factors on suicidal ideation remain unclear, which is a research gap this work aims to fill.

METHODS

A multi-center, the cluster sampling method was employed to collect general demographic data, such as age, gender, the experience of being left behind, and parents' marital status, from 12,192 students across 17 secondary schools in China. The Child Psychological Abuse and Neglect Scale (CPANS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Chinese version of the Depressed mood, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) and Chinese version of Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Inventory (PANSI) were utilized. Data were analyzed using t-tests, chi-square tests, correlation analyses, and structural equation modeling mediation analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of psychological abuse/neglect and adolescent suicidal ideation was 34.8% and 13%, respectively. This mediation analysis suggests that, in the relationship between psychological abuse/neglect and suicidal ideation, sleep problems and depressed mood play both parallel and sequential mediating roles.

CONCLUSION

Sleep problems and depressed mood play a mediating role in the development of suicidal ideation in adolescents. Good sleep habits and depressed mood interventions help reduce the risk of suicidal ideation in adolescents who experience psychological neglect/abuse.

Relations between childhood psychological maltreatment and mental health dimensions within a higher-order model

Background

Experiences of childhood psychological maltreatment have been found to be associated with various mental health outcomes, and this association persists into adulthood.

Objective

This study investigated whether some types of psychological maltreatment are more harmful than others; whether the harms associated with different types of psychological maltreatment are generalized or specific to particular domains of psychopathology; and whether the associations vary by gender.

Method

Participants (N = 544, 63.9 % mother as primary caregiver) were Chinese adults from various regions in China. Participants completed measures of childhood psychological maltreatment experiences perpetrated by their primary caregiver and the mental health outcomes of depression, anxiety, anger, physical aggression, and hostility. The data were analyzed in a hierarchical model in which depression and anxiety were defined as indicators of an internalizing factor, while anger, physical aggression, and hostility were defined as indicators of an externalizing factor. Internalizing and externalizing then defined a higher-order general psychopathology factor. The results suggested equivalent harms of psychological abuse and psychological neglect. Further, the associations between psychological maltreatment and mental health were not unique to specific symptom domains but showed broadband associations with general psychopathology.

Results

These findings suggest that trans-diagnostic interventions may be the most effective approach for addressing the mental health impacts of psychological maltreatment.

Conclusion

Childhood psychological maltreatment may pose a broadband risk for any and all forms of psychopathology.

Childhood experiences and dissociation among high school students in China: Theoretical reexamination and clinical implications

BACKGROUND

Dissociation remains a controversial topic in terms of its prevalence, cross-cultural validity, and relationship with childhood trauma and adversities.

AIMS

This study investigated the prevalence of dissociative symptoms and probable dissociative disorders among Chinese high school students and tested the trauma model of dissociation.

METHODS

A total of N = 1,720 high school students completed standardized measures of positive and adverse childhood experiences (PCEs and ACEs), dissociation, depression, and anxiety.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of dissociative symptoms and (probable) DSM-5 dissociative disorders (DDs) were 11.2% and 6.9%, respectively. Dissociation was a reliable construct (ICC = .682 to .752, p < .001) and was moderately correlated with general psychopathology (r = .424 with depressive symptoms, r = .423 with anxiety symptoms). Participants with a probable DD reported more ACEs, fewer PCEs, and more mental health symptoms than those without a probable DD. ACEs were significantly associated with dissociative symptoms (β = .107, p < .001) even after controlling for age, depressive, and anxiety symptoms. PCEs moderated the relationship between ACEs and dissociative symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of the prevalence of dissociative symptoms and probable DSM-5 DDs among nonclinical children. We provide cross-cultural evidence that dissociation is a reliable and valid clinical phenomenon associated with psychopathology in children across cultures. The findings partly support the trauma model of dissociation. This study contributes to the limited literature on dissociation in children. It also offers empirical data to facilitate the ongoing controversy about (childhood) trauma and dissociation. Our findings imply that dissociation is cross-culturally associated with childhood adversities, but trauma is not the only, sufficient cause. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Emerging adult college students' descriptions of exposure to childhood emotional abuse and associated factors: A qualitative exploration

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence on the long-term deleterious impacts of emotional abuse highlights the need to further understand childhood emotional abuse and its context to strengthen prevention efforts.

OBJECTIVE

To describe emerging adults' experiences of emotional abuse in their childhoods and the household context surrounding that abuse.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Fifty-eight interviews were conducted with emerging adults, ages 18-25, recruited from four 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education.

METHODS

Thematic analysis was conducted to identify and describe patterns in the data. A cyclical approach to codebook development and data analysis was followed by a team of four coders.

RESULTS

Themes related to participants' experiences of emotional abuse included: inability to meet parent expectations; parent attacks on the child's character; parent negative comparisons to siblings and others; parent invalidation of the child's emotions and mental health needs; and evolution over time in the parent-child relationship. Aspects of childhood family environments contemporaneous with the childhood emotional abuse included: financial stress; parent mental illness; parent divorce, separation, or volatile relationship; parent adversity or trauma; physical abuse; and young parent age. Many participants identified these aspects of their family environment, most of which could potentially be improved with sufficient support, as playing causal roles in the emotional abuse they experienced.

CONCLUSION

This descriptive qualitative study provides additional insight into child emotional abuse and its associated factors, providing invaluable insights that can enhance current measurement and intervention approaches.

Is teacher violence a form of betrayal trauma? Relationship with mental health problems among young adults

BACKGROUND

Childhood trauma is one of the most preventable risk factors for mental health problems. Considering the substantial amount of time that young people spend in school during their early years, it is important to understand the potential impacts of teachers' behaviors on students' mental health.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the relationship between exposure to teacher violence and mental health problems.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

An international sample of young adults aged 18 to 24 (N = 283).

METHODS

Participants completed self-report measures of childhood trauma, exposure to teacher violence, depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress, and alcohol misuse.

RESULTS

Exposure to teacher violence could be reliably and validly measured using the Teacher Violence Scale (TVS). Current mental health problems - including depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress, and alcohol misuse - were associated with exposure to teacher violence during high school years, but not with childhood non-betrayal trauma.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings expand the application of the betrayal trauma theory to school settings and point to the importance of preventing and managing teacher violence. It is important to provide more support and training to teachers and enhance monitoring measures in schools. More research on the prevalence and correlates of exposure to teacher violence is needed. We also provided first evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the English version of the TVS to facilitate future research.

Parental neglect and short-form video application addiction in Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of alexithymia and the moderating role of refusal self-efficacy

BACKGROUND

The phenomenon of short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents is noteworthy. More research has focused on the influencing factors of internet addiction, but research on specifically exploring the antecedents and influencing mechanisms of short-form video application addiction (a subcategory of internet addiction) among adolescents is insufficient.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the relation between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents and examine the mediating effect of alexithymia and the moderating role of refusal self-efficacy.

METHODS

A total of 1203 Chinese adolescents were assigned to complete scales regarding parental neglect, alexithymia, refusal self-efficacy and short-form video application addiction.

RESULTS

Parental neglect was positively related to short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents, and alexithymia mediated this link. Furthermore, refusal self-efficacy moderated the direct connection between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction. Specifically, the link between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction became weaker as adolescents' refusal self-efficacy increased.

CONCLUSION

The experiences of parental neglect are closely related to higher levels of short-form video application addiction among Chinese adolescents. Parental neglect is associated with higher level of short-form video application addiction through stronger alexithymia, and the relationship between parental neglect and short-form video application addiction is attenuated when adolescents have high refusal self-efficacy.

Latent profiles of childhood psychological maltreatment and their links to adult mental health in China and the UK

BACKGROUND

Though links between childhood maltreatment and mental health have been established, little known about how specific types of childhood maltreatment tend to cluster and how the resulting patterns of exposure impact mental health outcomes.

METHOD

The current study used latent profile analyses in Chinese (N = 544) and UK (N = 589) samples to identify childhood psychological maltreatment profiles (i.e., profiles of psychological abuse, psychological neglect, and psychological non-support) in different country contexts, and their associations with a range of mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, anger, physical aggression, verbal aggression, and hostility), and broader well-being (i.e., self-esteem) outcomes. Unadjusted as well as analyses adjusted for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were conducted.

RESULTS

Four profiles were identified in both samples, but their nature differed between the Chinese sample ("Psychological Non-support", "Low-Maltreated", "High-Maltreated", and "Severe-Maltreated") and the UK sample ("Low-Maltreated", "Moderate-Maltreated", "High-Maltreated", and "Severe-Maltreated"). Individuals in the "Psychological Non-support" in China and "Low-Maltreated" class in the UK displayed better mental health outcomes-lower levels of depression, anxiety, and aggression, and higher self-esteem. In contrast, individuals in the "Severe-Maltreated" profiles in both the Chinese and UK samples displayed poorer mental health outcomes-higher depression, anxiety, and aggression, and lower self-esteem. Interventions and prevention efforts are needed for individuals categorized in profiles affected by psychological maltreatment.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of using targeted intervention or prevention to prevent psychological maltreatment, as well as improve mental health outcomes in individuals who have experienced psychological maltreatment.

A Systematic Review of the Association Between Early Childhood Trauma and Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a debilitating clinical disorder associated with adverse impacts on multiple levels. While a high prevalence of childhood trauma has been noted, the ways such trauma impacts the development of BPD symptomatology remain unclear. In this systematic review, the authors examine the literature from 2000 to 2020, focusing on the association between trauma and BPD, and offer a comprehensive synthesis of possible etiological implications related to either one specific or multiple trauma types. In addition, results are analyzed based on commonly tested trauma parameters, including repeated exposure, polytrauma, onset, perpetrators, and gender. The authors also note some limitations in areas of sampling, measurement, causal inference methods, and data analyses. Results of this review point to several parameters of trauma that can be used to inform training for practitioners as well as enhance current interventions.

Parental phubbing, problematic smartphone use, and adolescents' learning burnout: A cross-lagged panel analysis

BACKGROUND

Parental phubbing is defined as the phenomenon that parents ignore their children when they are paying more attention to smartphones. The present study aimed to test bidirectional relationships among parental phubbing, problematic smartphone use, and learning burnout. We also extended previous studies to examine the mediating role of problematic smartphone use in the relationship between parental phubbing and learning burnout.

METHODS

Using a cross-lagged panel model, we recruited 2260 Chinese adolescents (50.35 % girls, M_age = 12.76, SD = 0.58 at baseline) across two years. Descriptive statistics, a cross-lagged panel analysis, a mediation model, and a multiple group analysis were estimated in the current study.

RESULTS

Parental phubbing was associated with problematic smartphone use, and there were bidirectional associations between problematic smartphone use and learning burnout as well as between parental phubbing and learning burnout. Problematic smartphone use significantly mediated the relationship between parental phubbing and learning burnout. There were no gender differences among parental phubbing, problematic smartphone use, and learning burnout.

LIMITATIONS

The current study only used two-time points to measure variables. Additionally, this study measured adolescents' perceived parental phubbing instead of the actual phubbing behavior.

CONCLUSION

It is important to consider the influences of parental phubbing in order to decrease adolescents' problematic smartphone use and learning burnout. Furthermore, there is a vicious circle between PSU and learning burnout. Interventions need to reduce problematic smartphone use and learning burnout simultaneously.

Childhood emotional abuse and cyberbullying perpetration among Chinese university students: The chain mediating effects of self-esteem and problematic social media use

Childhood abuse has been shown to have a range of adverse physical and psychological consequences, including aggression and bullying. While researchers have explored the relationship between childhood abuse and cyberbullying, little is known about the impact of emotional abuse on cyberbullying. This study examined the link between childhood emotional abuse (CEA) and cyberbullying perpetration among university students in the Chinese cultural context, as well as the chain mediating effect of self-esteem and Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU). A total of 835 university students (18-25 years old; 293 males, 542 females; M _age = 19.44 years, SD = 1.28) completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form (CTQ-SF), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Social Media Use Questionnaire (SMUQ), and Cyberbullying Inventory (CBI). The results showed that CEA and PSMU were positively correlated with cyberbullying; self-esteem was negatively correlated with cyberbullying. Besides, self-esteem and PSMU sequentially mediated the relationship between CEA and cyberbullying perpetration. The findings indicate that childhood emotional abuse may lower self-esteem and cause problematic social media use, which increases cyberbullying perpetration.

Interpersonal stress mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms: Findings from two culturally different samples

OBJECTIVE

Childhood trauma is associated with adulthood depressive symptoms, but very few studies explored potential social and interpersonal mediators behind this association. This study made the first attempt to test the potential mediating effects of interpersonal stress in the associations between childhood betrayal and non-betrayal trauma and depressive symptoms.

METHOD

We analyzed data in a sample of English-speaking adults from diverse backgrounds (from 19 different countries, mainly from Western countries) (N = 468). We then replicated and compared the results with those in another convenience sample of Chinese-speaking younger adults with different cultural backgrounds and mental health status (N = 205).

RESULTS

The results in both samples indicated that (1) childhood betrayal trauma had a stronger relationship with depressive symptoms than childhood non-betrayal trauma and that (2) interpersonal stress was a significant mediator in the relationship between childhood betrayal trauma and depressive symptoms, even when childhood non-betrayal trauma was included as a covariate. The indirect effect of childhood non-betrayal trauma on depressive symptoms through interpersonal stress was not consistent in two samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings point to the importance of taking social and interpersonal contexts into account when investigating, preventing and managing depression in trauma-exposed populations. Early social interventions such as family interventions, interpersonal skills training and building social resources may have the potential to change the trajectory of the development of mental health problems in trauma survivors.

The emotional neglect potentials of nurses working in the COVID-19 service towards their children: A qualitative study

PURPOSE

This study aims to examine in depth the potential child emotional neglect behaviors of nurses working in the COVID-19 service, and their feelings, thoughts, and experiences regarding the causes and effects on their children.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was designed as a qualitative study based on a descriptive phenomenological approach. A purposeful sample of service providers (N = 22) in the COVID-19 clinics of the region's largest hospital in northeast Turkey in terms of education and patient care were recruited for the study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews using the individual in-depth face-to-face interview method. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method. The research was reported by following Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research-COREQ.

RESULTS

The findings enabled the identification of four unique themes expressed by the participants: parent-child interaction, social impact, physiological impact, and psychological impact. The first theme consists of adversely affected time nurses spent with their children, decreased physical contact, and communication problems; the second theme includes nurses' and their children's social isolation and social stigma; the third theme includes a change in eating habits and daily activities; the fourth theme includes fear of losing parents and emotional change.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

To prevent the increased emotional neglect potential due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to regulate the working conditions of parents who are nursing professionals and support the parent/child emotionally and psychologically.

The role of family and peer factors in the development of early adolescent depressive symptoms: A latent class growth analysis

Few studies have explored the trajectories of Chinese early adolescent depressive symptoms or comprehensively considered the factors of family and peers. The present study aimed to identify the trajectories of depressive symptoms in early adolescence using a school-based sample assessed in three waves. The study also examined whether family and peer factors were significant predictors. A total of 586 Chinese primary and middle school students participated in the survey. A growth mixture model was used to find the trajectories of depressive symptoms, and multinominal logistic regression was used to identify the predictors. Three trajectories were identified, including a stable-low class, an increasing class, and a high-decreasing class. Results indicated that gender, parental psychological aggression and neglect, parental psychological control, traditional bullying/cyberbullying victimization, and friendship quality were significant predictors. However, witnessing intimate partner violence, parental behavior control, and traditional bullying/cyberbullying perpetration could not significantly predict the trajectories. The findings of this study can provide an empirical basis for teachers and clinical interveners to determine different development trajectories of depressive symptoms and carry out prevention and intervention.

The mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in the relationship between childhood adversities and depressive symptoms in two samples

BACKGROUND

Childhood adversities have been increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for depression. However, the underlying mediating mechanism between childhood adversities and depression requires further investigation. The literature shows that childhood adversities are also closely associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and that PTSD symptoms can predict depressive symptoms. It remains unexplored whether PTSD symptoms can act as a mediator between childhood adversities and depression.

OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this study was to examine whether PTSD symptoms would mediate the relationship between childhood adversities and depressive symptoms.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

We examined in a convenience sample of Hong Kong adults aged 18 or above (N = 418) whether PTSD symptoms would mediate the relationship between childhood adversities and depressive symptoms. We then examined and compared the results with those in another convenience sample of Chinese-speaking young adults (mainly from Taiwan and Hong Kong) aged between 18 and 24 (N = 205). Participants in both samples completed online surveys that included measures of childhood adversities, PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Childhood adversities were significantly associated with depressive symptoms; and this relationship was mediated by PTSD symptoms in both samples.

CONCLUSION

This study is one of very few studies demonstrating that PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between childhood adversities and depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest that addressing unresolved PTSD symptoms for adults with childhood adversities may help in preventing or treating depressive symptoms. Therefore, PTSD symptoms should be taken into account in the prevention and management of depression.

Association between schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors: mediating and moderating influences in childhood trauma and life events among Chinese adolescents

BACKGROUND

This study investigated an association between schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors in Chinese adolescents, and explored the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The data of 3094 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years were collected from an epidemiological survey in China. All the subjects or their parents completed the Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Adolescent Self-rating Life Event Checklist (ASLEC).

RESULTS

Relative to the non-schizoid group, adolescents with schizoid tendencies (male or female) showed significantly higher scores for aggressive behaviors, emotional abuse, and ASLEC. Regarding females only, those with schizoid tendencies had significantly higher (lower) scores for physical abuse and emotional neglect (physical neglect). The aggressive behaviors score was predicted by scores for schizoid tendencies (β_male = 0.620, β_female = 0.638, both P < 0.001) and ASLEC (β_male = 0.125, β_female = 0.061, both P < 0.01), and by childhood trauma score (males: emotional neglect [β = 0.045, P = 0.021]; females: emotional abuse and sexual abuse [β = 0.118 and - 0.062, both P < 0.01]). The ASLEC and childhood trauma scores mediated the association between scores for schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors, specifically, emotional neglect (emotional abuse and sexual abuse) in males (females). In females, the interaction between scores for childhood trauma and ASLEC affected the aggressive behaviors score (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Schizoid tendencies are associated with aggressive behaviors among Chinese adolescents. Recent life events and childhood trauma mediated an association between schizoid tendencies and aggressive behaviors. The interaction between childhood trauma and recent life events affected aggressive behaviors in females. Aggressive behaviors in adolescents may be ameliorated by reducing childhood trauma and life events.

Emotional neglect and depressive symptoms of left-behind adolescents: The role of friendship quality and gender

BACKGROUND

Emotional neglect is a risk factor for adolescents' depression. In migrant families, long-term parent-child separation increases the possibility of left-behind adolescents experiencing emotional neglect, making it an important risk factor for the occurrence and development of depressive symptoms among left-behind adolescents. Moreover, there has been a dearth of work on protective factors against the harmful impacts of emotional neglect on left-behind adolescents' depressive symptoms. To address this gap, the protective roles of friendship quality and gender differences were also examined.

METHODS

A total of 1802 Chinese rural adolescents completed self-report standardized scales that measured emotional neglect, friendship quality and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Emotional neglect was positively associated with adolescents' depressive symptoms, but the predictive power of emotional neglect for depressive symptoms varied with left-behind status and gender. Furthermore, friendship quality was not only negatively associated with adolescents' depressive symptoms, but also buffered the negative impact of emotional neglect on depressive symptoms among girls from both-parent migrant families.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by the cross-sectional data, the methods of self-reporting, the lack of adolescents from mother-only families, and a potential nesting structure.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide important implications for intervention programs that are targeted toward reducing the impact of emotional neglect on left-behind adolescents.

Clinical Features of a Chinese Sample with Self-Reported Symptoms of Pathological Dissociation

People with pathological dissociation should receive proper clinical attention and timely support. Recent studies have shown that pathological dissociation is common in the Chinese context. However, little is known about the clinical features of Chinese people with pathological dissociation. This paper reports the first data regarding trauma histories, mental health symptoms, clinical diagnoses, service usages, stigma and psychosocial needs in a convenience sample of Chinese people who screened positive for pathological dissociation on a self-report measure (N = 72). This sample was characterized by a history of trauma and high levels of trauma-related symptoms and depression. Medication treatments were the most common interventions for them; many participants did not receive psychotherapy. We found no clinical differences between participants who had and had not received psychotherapy for post-traumatic/dissociative symptoms. This implies that many participants did not have the chance of receiving specific psychotherapy even though their trauma histories and clinical symptoms were as severe as those who were receiving specific psychotherapy. Stigma and unmet psychosocial needs were common in this sample and should receive more attention in the field. Implications for research and practice are highlighted. More dissociation-informed services are required for Chinese-speaking populations.

Translation and Validation of the Mindful Self-Care Scale—Chinese Version: A Pilot Study

(1) Background: Numerous research studies have investigated and identified the high prevalence of poor mental health status among the Chinese population, for example suffering from a high level of anxiety and depression. Moreover, the Chinese population are shown to have a conservative attitude towards mental health problems and a passive help-seeking behaviour when suffering from psychological distress. Therefore, it is important to assess the levels of self-care among the Chinese population, which is considered as the basis for tackling psychological well-being issues by the World Health Organization (WHO). Self-care was conceptualised and measured by the Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS), but without being translated and adapted to the Chinese population. The purpose of this study is to translate the scale into Chinese and to conduct a pilot test to validate the scale among the Chinese population. (2) Methods: Participants (N = 161), with 96 females and 65 males, with an age range from 18 to 62, mage = 26.1 (SD = 6.64), were recruited from Hong Kong (n = 63), Taiwan (n = 44), and mainland China (n = 54) using convenience sampling. (3) Results: The results show a satisfying internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.915) without items that need to be deleted as well as an adequate validity, with Kaiser–Mayer–Olkin (KMO) value of 0.856 and significant correlation between self-care and the two variables: self-compassion and well-being (r = 0.403, r = 0.172, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The results preliminarily indicate that the Chinese version of MSCS is reliable and valid. However, test–retest reliability and confirmatory factor analysis should be performed with a larger sample size for further validation.

Validity of A Web-based Measure of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Preliminary Study

PURPOSE

Early identification of borderline personality disorder (BPD) is important as timely interventions are beneficial and cost-effective. Unrecognized BPD not only results in suffering for individuals and their families, but also leads to considerable social costs. Although web-based measures have the potential to facilitate screening assessment of BPD for research and clinical purposes, little is known about whether the results of web-based measures of BPD are valid. This preliminary study aims to examine the validity of a web-based measure of BPD.

METHOD

We analyzed data from five independent samples (N = 828 in total).

RESULTS

The web-based BPD measure had a consistent relationship with relevant variables, including trauma exposure, mental well-being, depression, post-traumatic stress, dissociation and psychotic features across samples. It was also strongly correlated with another BPD measure. The web-based BPD measure could discriminate between participants with and without BPD and the discrimination performance was excellent (area under the curve =.853).

DISCUSSION

The initial findings suggest that the web-based BPD measure used in the present study is valid and may be helpful for research and screening purposes, although it should be followed up with a more comprehensive assessment in clinical settings. Implications are discussed. Given the limitations in this study, further studies are needed.