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Moreira D, Silva C, Moreira P, Pinto TM, Costa R, Lamela D, Jongenelen I, Pasion R. Addressing the Complex Links between Psychopathy and Childhood Maltreatment, Emotion Regulation, and Aggression-A Network Analysis in Adults. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:115. [PMID: 38392468 PMCID: PMC10885997 DOI: 10.3390/bs14020115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is the strongest predictor of psychopathology and personality disorders across the lifespan and is strongly associated with a variety of psychological problems, namely, mood and anxiety disorders, behavioral and personality disorders, substance abuse, aggression, and self-harm. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive picture of the interplay between different traits of psychopathy and distinct dimensions of childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation, and aggression. Using a cross-sectional design, we employed correlational network analysis to explore the nomological network of psychopathy and provide a sample-based estimate of the population parameters reflecting the direction, strength, and patterns of relationships between variables. The sample consisted of 846 adults (71% females) who completed questionnaires measuring psychopathy, childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation, and aggression. The results highlight that disinhibition traits of psychopathy are the closest attributes of early experiences of abuse (but not neglect) in childhood and correlate with all dimensions of emotion regulation difficulties, being specifically associated with reactive aggression. Neglect was a unique attribute in the nomological network of meanness, with widespread correlations with emotion regulation difficulties but also an increased ability to engage in goal-directed behavior. Physical abuse was the only dimension of childhood adversity that was found to be intercorrelated with boldness and increased emotional regulation was found in this psychopathic trait. No significant associations were found between boldness, meanness, and aggression once shared variance with disinhibition was controlled. These results are discussed in terms of their implication for research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Moreira
- Centro Regional de Braga, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4710-362 Braga, Portugal
- Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Solidariedade de Braga/Projeto Homem, 4700-024 Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Psychology and Neuropsychology of Porto-IPNP Health, 4100-341 Porto, Portugal
- Observatory Permanent Violence and Crime (OPVC), FP-I3ID, Fernando Pessoa University, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
| | - Candy Silva
- Centro Regional de Braga, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4710-362 Braga, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Moreira
- Centro Regional de Braga, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4710-362 Braga, Portugal
| | - Tiago Miguel Pinto
- HEI-Lab-Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Raquel Costa
- HEI-Lab-Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diogo Lamela
- HEI-Lab-Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Jongenelen
- HEI-Lab-Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Pasion
- HEI-Lab-Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Lisbon, Portugal
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Lamela D, Pasion R, Costa R, Pinto TM, Morais A, Jongenelen I. Mother-child reporting discrepancies of child physical abuse: Associations with internalizing and externalizing symptoms. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 147:106575. [PMID: 38041965 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mother-child discrepancies frequently occur in reports of child physical abuse. Such report discrepancies raise important challenges for interpreting and integrating data from multiple informants in forensic and clinical settings. OBJECTIVES The main goal of this study was to identify patterns of mother-child discrepancies in reporting CPA using latent profile analysis. We then tested differences between profiles on mothers' mental health problems and children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants were 159 mother-child dyads with police-documented exposure to intimate partner violence. METHOD Participants were recruited from Child Protective Services and shelter residences from all regions of Portugal. After obtaining informed consent, assessment protocols were administered separately to mothers and children. RESULTS We identified two convergent profiles (mother-child agreement on reports of both high and low exposure to CPA) and one divergent profile (the child reported significantly higher exposure to CPA than the mother). Mothers from the divergent profile reported more depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms than mothers from the convergent profiles. Children of the divergent profile and one of the convergent profiles (mother-child agreement on high exposure to CPA) showed the highest internalizing and externalizing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These results illustrate how examining informant discrepancies in the assessment of abusive parenting practices increases our understanding of children's psychological adjustment in high-risk contexts.
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Bentz L, Mantilla DO, Winter SM. [Diagnostic Options for Suspected Cases of Emotional Maltreatment - Presentation of the Interdisciplinary Perspective of a Child Protection Outpatient Clinic]. Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr 2024; 73:55-84. [PMID: 38275233 DOI: 10.13109/prkk.2024.73.1.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Compared to sexual and physical violence, cases of emotional abuse are often more difficult to detect. An increasingly advocated approach involves regular assessments within social and healthcare structures tto proactively identify affected children and adolescents at an early stage. This enables the prompt initiation of appropriate interventions. Following, interdisciplinary institutions such as a child protection outpatient clinic can play an important role for professionals in the clarification of suspected child endangerment.This article aims to show possible courses of action for the early detection of emotional abuse based on a child protection outpatient clinic. In addition to the description of the interdisciplinary diagnostic procedure a selection of psychometric questionnaires and interviews is presented, which inquire about emotional abuse. When looking at the total number of 1,388 cases seen at the child protection outpatient clinic, it is noticeable that only 117 cases (8.4 %) were assigned with a suspicion of emotional abuse.This contrasts with 477 cases (34.3 %) in which confirmed indications for emotional abuse were found after the clarification process. An intersection of emotional abuse with other forms of child maltreatment was given in 341 cases (71.4 %). Psychometric questionnaires and interviews can facilitate a regular recording in health and social service institutions. Emotional abuse often goes unnoticed despite its frequency. Itsmanifestations are diverse and significantly overlap with other forms of maltreatment, necessitating a nuanced evaluation process. Specific diagnostic tools and interdisciplinary collaboration can contribute to better recognition of emotional abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Bentz
- Lehrstuhl für Kinderschutz und Traumafolgen, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum Augustenburger Platz 1 13353 Berlin Deutschland
| | - Diego Olaya Mantilla
- Lehrstuhl für Kinderschutz und Traumafolgen, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum Augustenburger Platz 1 13353 Berlin Deutschland
| | - Sibylle M Winter
- Lehrstuhl für Kinderschutz und Traumafolgen, Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum Augustenburger Platz 1 13353 Berlin Deutschland
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Nurmatov U, Cowley LE, Rodrigues LB, Naughton A, Debelle G, Alfandari R, Lamela D, Otterman G, Jud A, Ntinapogias A, Laajasalo T, Soldino V, Stancheva V, Caenazzo L, Vaughan R, Christian CW, Drabarek K, Kemp AM, Hurt L. Consensus building on definitions and types of child maltreatment to improve recording and surveillance in Europe: protocol for a multi-sectoral, European, electronic Delphi study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e076517. [PMID: 38086601 PMCID: PMC10729059 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals' physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). METHODS AND ANALYSIS The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a 'codebook' approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and presentations to key public health and other relevant organisations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulugbek Nurmatov
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Diogo Lamela
- Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab (HEI-LAB), Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gabriel Otterman
- Barnafrid and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Athanasios Ntinapogias
- Department of Mental Health and Social Welfare, Institute of Child Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Taina Laajasalo
- Competence Cluster for Violence Prevention Work, Special Services Unit, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Virginia Soldino
- University Research Institute of Criminology and Criminal Science, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vaska Stancheva
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, South-West University Neofit Rilski, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
| | - Luciana Caenazzo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rachael Vaughan
- Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Cindy W Christian
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katarzyna Drabarek
- Empowering Children Foundation, Warszawa, Poland
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Alison Mary Kemp
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lisa Hurt
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Katz C, Glucklich T, Attrash-Najjar A, Jacobson M, Cohen N, Varela N, Priolo-Filho SR, Bérubé A, Chang OD, Collin-Vézina D, Fouché A, Haffejee S, Katz I, Maguire-Jack K, Massarweh N, O'Reilly M, Tiwari A, Truter E, de Andrade Vieira RV, Walker-Williams H, Zibetti MR, Werkele C. The global impact of COVID-19 on child protection professionals: A scoping review and thematic analysis. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023:106347. [PMID: 37479549 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic triggered new risks for child maltreatment (CM) and exacerbated existing challenges for families and children, elevating the importance of child protection professionals (CPPs) while also adding barriers to their work. During the pandemic, many CPPs experienced increased workloads, a disrupted work environment, and personal pandemic-related hardships. However, the scope of how COVID-19 impacted CPPs globally, as well as their adopted coping strategies, have not been well explored. OBJECTIVE This study addresses these gaps in the research by conducting an international scoping review to explore and analyze these topics. METHOD The scoping review was performed in six languages: English, Hebrew, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, across 16 databases. Sixteen manuscripts were included in the final thematic analysis of this review. RESULTS Two main themes were identified: 1) the impact of COVID-19 on CPPs, and 2) the coping and adaptation strategies employed by CPPs during COVID-19. This review revealed and emphasized the importance of CPPs' resilience during COVID-19, underpinned by the theoretical framework of the social ecology of resilience. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the responsibility of social ecologies and organizational structures to create readiness for a rapid response in times of crisis as well as valuable evidence to inform how CPPs, children, and families may be better supported in the event of a future crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmit Katz
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Talia Glucklich
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Afnan Attrash-Najjar
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ma'ayan Jacobson
- Haruv Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Noa Cohen
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Natalia Varela
- Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, Externado University, Calle 12 No. 1-17 Este, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Sidnei Rinaldo Priolo-Filho
- Laboratório de Pesquisa, Prevenção e Intervenção em Psicologia Forense - Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Brazil
| | - Annie Bérubé
- The Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Canada.
| | - Olivia D Chang
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Delphine Collin-Vézina
- The Centre for Research on Children and Families, McGill University, Suite 106, Wilson Hall, 3506 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A7, Canada.
| | - Ansie Fouché
- Department of Social Wellbeing, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, COMPRES Research Entity, Gauteng, South Africa.
| | - Sadiyya Haffejee
- Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Ilan Katz
- Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Kathryn Maguire-Jack
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Nadia Massarweh
- The Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education, P.O. Box 124, Baqa-El-Gharbia 3010000, Israel
| | - Michelle O'Reilly
- School of Media, Communication, and Sociology, University of Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, UK.
| | - Ashwini Tiwari
- The Institute of Public and Preventive Health, Augusta University, 1120 15th St, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
| | - Elmien Truter
- North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, COMPRES Research Entity, Gauteng, South Africa.
| | | | - Hayley Walker-Williams
- North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, COMPRES Research Entity, Gauteng, South Africa.
| | | | - Christine Werkele
- The Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W. - MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
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