Early maladaptive schemas as mediators between childhood maltreatment and later psychological distress among Chinese college students

College students' adverse childhood experiences and their anticipated risky behaviors: Early maladaptive schemas and emotion regulation difficulties as potential mediators

Objective: This study explicates the relationship between college student's adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their anticipated engagement in five types of risky behaviors. Two transdiagnostic mechanisms were tested cross-sectionally: disconnection/rejection early maladaptive schemas (cognitive) and difficulties in emotional regulation (emotional). Participants: 521 college student participants were majority female (66.8%), White (57.2%), freshman (54.9%), and heterosexual (72.2%). Methods: Participants completed an online, self-report, survey. Pearson bivariate correlations and parallel mediation analyses were conducted. Results: Sixty percent of students endorsed at least one ACE. Among the total sample, disconnection/rejection schemas partially mediated the relationship between ACEs and anticipated engagement in irresponsible academic/work behaviors, drug use, aggressive/illegal activities, and heavy drinking. Difficulties in emotion regulation partially mediated anticipated risky sexual activities and irresponsible academic/work behaviors. Sex differences were noted. Conclusions: Preventing irresponsible academic activity and other risky behaviors is critically important to college students, parents, and administrators. Intervention efforts should address cognitive and emotional mechanisms.

Does childhood maltreatment influence Chinese preschool education college students' depression and anxiety? Evidence from a latent class analysis

Introduction

Preschool teachers' mental health may be a critical factor in their job performance, which in turn can influence the quality of early childhood education. However, little is known about its development. Childhood maltreatment, as a chronic form of childhood stress, may influence later mental health development. Although large, comprehensive research has been undertaken on childhood maltreatment and mental health, the associations between these two variables need further exploration. This study aims to describe childhood maltreatment based on person-centered approaches in Chinese preschool education college students, and to examine the differences in depression and anxiety within subgroups of childhood maltreatment.

Methods

A total of 1,218 Chinese preschool education college students participated in this study, and the data analysis was based on unconditional and conditional latent class analysis.

Results

The results showed that the participants were divided into 5 profiles: a non-maltreatment profile; a profile of emotional abuse and emotional and physical neglect; a profile of physical neglect; a profile of emotional neglect; and a profile of physical and emotional neglect. Students with multiple subtypes of maltreatment had the highest levels of depression and anxiety.

Discussion

Universities should consider both childhood maltreatment and profiles of childhood maltreatment when training preschool education college students.

Adult Separation Anxiety and Childhood Traumas: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Distortions

While there are many studies on the relationship between anxiety disorders and childhood traumas in the literature, there are limited studies on the relationship between separation anxiety disorders and traumatic experiences in early life. It is widely known that trauma and negative cognitive processes are important factors in the etiology and prognosis of psychiatric disorders. In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between adult separation anxiety levels and childhood traumas and cognitive distortions, and to examine the mediating role of cognitive distortions in the relationship between childhood traumas and separation anxiety. A total of 366 students attending a private university were included in the study. The scales, which were converted into online questionnaires by the researchers, were sent to the students via e-mail, and were administered online. The participants were evaluated using "Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire", "Childhood Trauma Questionnaire", and "Cognitive Distortions Scale". The results of the study indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between adult separation anxiety levels and childhood sexual abuse while there was no statistically significant correlation between adult separation anxiety levels and physical and emotional abuse, or physical and emotional neglect. A positive and significant relationship was found between separation anxiety levels and the sub-dimensions of cognitive distortions' self-image, self-blame, helplessness, hopelessness, and preoccupation with danger. In addition, it was determined that the helplessness and preoccupation with danger sub-dimensions of cognitive distortions had a full mediator effect on the relationship between sexual abuse and separation anxiety. Our results show that there is a positive relationship between separation anxiety disorder and childhood sexual abuse, and cognitive distortions play a mediating role between both variables.

Reciprocal associations between early maladaptive schemas and depression in adolescence: long-term effects of childhood abuse and neglect

BACKGROUND

Adolescent depression has grown to be a major social concern in China. During the coronavirus pandemic, the incidence of depression among Chinese adolescents increased substantially. More research is required to inform the prevention and intervention of adolescent depression in China. Depression is associated with Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs). Childhood abuse and neglect are distal antecedents of adolescent depression. It is not known how depression and EMSs interact in adolescence and how childhood abuse and neglect contribute to this relationship. This study aimed to examine the reciprocal relationships between depression and EMSs, as well as the long-term effects of childhood abuse and neglect on depression and EMSs during adolescence. The work also investigates gender differences in these mechanisms.

METHODS

Using a two-wave longitudinal design, we recruited 3,485 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.2; 43.2% females) from three Shanxi Province, China middle schools. All participants completed self-report questionnaires addressing childhood abuse and neglect, depression, and EMSs. Structural equation models examined reciprocal relationships between depression and EMS, as well as the effect of childhood abuse and neglect on depression and EMSs. Multi-group analysis addressed gender differences.

RESULTS

Results indicated that greater depression predicted more EMSs measured later, but EMSs did not predict subsequent depression. Childhood abuse and neglect had different effects on depression and EMSs during adolescence. Specifically, exposure to childhood abuse related to more severe depression and EMSs in adolescence and contributed to the perpetuation of EMSs by increasing depression. Exposure to childhood neglect showed a direct effect on depression and indirectly reinforced subsequent EMSs through depression. There were no gender differences.

CONCLUSION

These findings contribute to a better understanding of the emergence and course of depression in early adolescence, suggesting that childhood abuse and neglect are critical early risk factors. Additionally, depression plays a key role in promoting schema perpetuation among adolescents exposed to childhood maltreatment, providing important implications for relevant prevention and intervention in early adolescence.

Perceived control, loneliness, early-life stress, and parents' perceptions of stress

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of understanding what contributes to individual variability in experiences of stress. Increases in stress related to the pandemic have been especially pronounced in parents, indicating a need for research examining what factors contribute to parents' perceptions of stress. Here, we assessed the relationship between parents' perceptions of stress, control, loneliness, and experiences of childhood trauma in two populations of caregivers. In Study 1, we examined the relationship between perceptions of stress, control, loneliness, and history of early stress, along with indices of socioeconomic risk and resting parasympathetic nervous systema activity, which has been linked to variability in perceptions of stress, in caregivers of young children. Perceived control, loneliness, childhood stress, and resting parasympathetic nervous system activity predicted caregivers' stress. In Study 2, we replicated these initial findings in a second sample of caregivers. Additionally, we examined how these processes change over time. Caregivers demonstrated significant changes in perceptions of control, loneliness, and stress, and changes in control and childhood trauma history were associated with changes in perceptions of stress. Together these results indicate the importance of assessing how caregivers perceive their environment when examining what contributes to increased risk for stress. Additionally, they suggest that caregivers' stress-related processes are malleable and provide insight into potential targets for interventions aimed at reducing parents' stress.

Child abuse and wellbeing: Examining the roles of self-compassion and fear of self

INTRODUCTION

Childhood abuse is linked to poorer well-being, yet some survivors show no prolonged effect, suggesting multifinality. Men and women also differ in the experience and sequelae of abuse supporting gender-specific analyses. To assist in circumventing poor outcomes associated with child abuse, this study examined fear of self (FoS) and self-compassion (SC) as risk and protective factors between child abuse and well-being.

METHOD

Australian women (N = 1302, M_age = 47.28 [13.63]) completed an online assessment of childhood abuse, psychological distress, perceived quality of life, SC, FoS. Moderated-moderation examined the different abuses as predictors of psychological distress and quality of life (QoL) and FoS and SC as primary and secondary moderators, respectively.

RESULTS

Physical abuse did not predict psychological distress or QoL. FoS and SC were independent predictors of distress and QoL. Similarly, childhood sexual abuse was not found to predict distress or QoL. FoS and SC were independent predictors of distress and QoL. There was also an interaction between childhood sexual abuse and SC in predicting QoL. A moderated-moderation was found for the relationship between child sexual abuse and distress. Psychological abuse predicted distress and QoL, and FoS and SC both moderated this relationship. Moreover, a moderated-moderation was observed for the relationship between psychological abuse and QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater FoS is associated with poorer outcomes for child abuse survivors; SC may mitigate this impact. Psychological abuse was the strongest predictor of well-being. Interventions that increase SC and raise awareness of psychological abuse and its impacts are needed.

A bidirectional association between smartphone addiction and depression among college students: A cross-lagged panel model

Background

Smartphone addiction (SA) is associated with adverse consequences, especially for freshmen. Evidence indicates that SA is associated with depression, and it is necessary to conduct a longitudinal study to explore the association further.

Methods

SA (measured by the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version) and depression (measured by the Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale) among 1,186 freshmen were surveyed at baseline and a respective 12-month follow-up for each participant. The application of a cross-lagged panel model approach (CLPM) revealed an association between SA and depression after adjusting for demographic variables.

Results

The CLPM results showed a significant path from baseline SA to follow-up depression (β = 0.08, P < 0.001) and a significant path from baseline depression to follow-up SA (β = 0.08, P < 0.001). Compared with the overall cross-lagged model, the cross-lagged coefficient of the path from baseline SA to follow-up depression increased in the female group (β = 0.10, P = 0.015), and the cross-lagged coefficient of the path from baseline depression to follow-up SA also increased significantly (β = 0.15, P < 0.001). In contrast, the cross-lagged model in the male group showed no predictive effect between SA and depression (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The current study showed a significant bidirectional association between smartphone addiction and depression among freshmen, but only in the female population.

Microbiota alteration of Chinese young male adults with high-status negative cognitive processing bias

Introduction

Evidence suggests that negative cognitive processing bias (NCPB) is a significant risk factor for depression. The microbiota-gut-brain axis has been proven to be a contributing factor to cognitive health and disease. However, the connection between microbiota and NCPB remains unknown. This study mainly sought to explore the key microbiota involved in NCPB and the possible pathways through which NCPB affects depressive symptoms.

Methods

Data in our studies were collected from 735 Chinese young adults through a cross-sectional survey. Fecal samples were collected from 35 young adults with different levels of NCPB (18 individuals were recruited as the high-status NCPB group, and another 17 individuals were matched as the low-status NCPB group) and 60 with different degrees of depressive symptoms (27 individuals were recruited into the depressive symptom group, as D group, and 33 individuals were matched into the control group, as C group) and analyzed by the 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing technique.

Results

As a result, the level of NCPB correlated with the degree of depressive symptoms as well as anxiety symptoms and sleep quality (p < 0.01). The β-diversity of microbiota in young adults was proven to be significantly different between the high-status NCPB and the low-status NCPB groups. There were several significantly increased bacteria taxa, including Dorea, Christensenellaceae, Christe -senellaceae_R_7_group, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group, Eggerthellaceae, Family-XIII, Family_XIII_AD3011_group, Faecalibaculum, and Oscillibacter. They were mainly involved in pathways including short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism. Among these variable bacteria taxa, Faecalibaculum was found associated with both NCPB and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, five pathways turned out to be significantly altered in both the high-status NCPB group and the depressive symptom group, including butanoate metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, propanoate metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation. These pathways were related to SCFA metabolism.

Discussion

Fecal microbiota is altered in Chinese young male adults with high status NCPB and may be involved in the biochemical progress that influences depressive symptoms.

Psychological maltreatment and adolescent internet harassment perpetration: The mediating role of deviant peer affiliation and the moderating role of self-compassion

BACKGROUND

Psychological maltreatment has been regarded as a risk factor for adolescent internet harassment. However, previous studies failed to take family, peer, and individual factors into account comprehensively when comes to adolescent internet harassment perpetration.

OBJECTIVE

Based on the Social-Ecological Diathesis-Stress Model, the present study established a moderated mediation model to investigate the mediating role of deviant peer affiliation in the association between psychological maltreatment and adolescent internet harassment perpetration, as well as the moderating role of self-compassion.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A total of 1,592 Chinese adolescents (51.07 % girls, M_age = 13.23 years) participated in the current study.

METHOD

The participants completed questionnaires regarding demographics, psychological maltreatment, internet harassment perpetration, deviant peer affiliation, and self-compassion.

RESULTS

Psychological maltreatment was positively related to adolescent internet harassment perpetration. Mediation analyses revealed that deviant peer affiliation partially mediated this relationship (indirect effect = 0.14, 95 % CI = [0.09, 0.20]). Moderated mediation analyses further indicated that self-compassion not only moderated the link between psychological maltreatment and adolescent internet harassment perpetration, with the effect being significant only for adolescents with low levels of self-compassion, but also moderated the indirect association between psychological maltreatment and internet harassment perpetration via deviant peer affiliation, with the association being much more potent for adolescents with low levels of self-compassion.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of considering multiple circumstantial and individual factors to understand the development of adolescents' externalizing problems.

Associations between childhood psychological trauma, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and mental health in female college students: Mediation of coping styles

PURPOSE

To investigate the associations between childhood psychological trauma, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and mental health in adulthood and to identify the mediation of active and passive coping on these associations in Korean female undergraduates.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood psychological trauma had a direct association with current mental health in adulthood (β = 0.15, p < 0.001), which was mediated by PTSS (β = 0.34, p < 0.001). Each coping style partially mediated the relationship between (a) childhood psychological trauma and mental health and (b) PTSS and mental health.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

It is necessary to develop nursing interventions to enhance coping strategies in female undergraduates to ensure better mental health and well-being.

Roles of Psychological Distress and Social Support in the Relationship Between Childhood Maltreatment and Perceived Needs for Mental Health Care

Childhood maltreatment is a major public health issue worldwide. It increases a range of health-risk behaviors, psychological and physical problems, which are associated with an increased need for mental health services in adulthood. Identification of mediating factors in the relationship between maltreatment and seeking mental health care may help attenuate the negative consequences of childhood maltreatment and promote more appropriate treatment. This study aims to examine whether the relationship between childhood maltreatment and perceived need for mental health care is mediated by psychological distress and/or moderated by social support. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health 2012 are analyzed. A total of 8,993 participants, who had complete information on childhood maltreatment and diagnoses of mental disorders or psychological distress, are included in this study. Structural equation modeling and the PROCESS macro were used to identify relationships among childhood maltreatment, perceived needs for mental health care, and psychological distress. Hierarchical linear regression was then used to verify the moderated mediation model. We found that psychological distress partially mediated the effect of childhood maltreatment on perceived needs for mental health care in adulthood. Social support played an important role in terms of moderating the relationship between maltreatment and perceived needs for care. For those with a history of childhood maltreatment, those who perceived a low level of social support were more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress and perceived need for mental health care. This is the first study to identify the separate and combined roles of psychological distress and social support in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and perceived need for mental health care. Selective prevention strategies should focus on social support to improve mental health services among people with a history of childhood maltreatment.

Risk factors for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents is a significant mental health problem around the world. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically delineate the risk factors for NSSI.

METHOD

We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane for relevant articles and abstracts published prior to 12 November 2021. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confident intervals (CIs) were used to assess various risk factors, and publication bias was assessed by Egger's test, the trim and fill method and meta-regression. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021265885.

RESULTS

A total of 25 articles were eventually included in the analysis. Eighty risk factors were identified and classified into 7 categories: mental disorders (ORs, 1·89; 95% CI, 1·60-2·24), bullying (ORs, 1·98; 95% CI, 1·32-2·95), low health literacy (ORs, 2·20; 95% CI, 1·63-2·96), problem behaviours (ORs, 2·36; 95% CI, 2·00-2·77), adverse childhood experiences (ORs, 2·49; 95% CI, 1·85-3.34), physical symptoms (ORs, 2·85; 95% CI, 1·36-5·97) and the female gender (ORs, 2·89; 95% CI, 2·43-3·43). The range of heterogeneity (I²) was from 20·3% to 99·2%.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis found that mental disorders, low health literacy, adverse childhood experiences, bullying, problem behaviours, the female gender and physical symptoms appear to be risk factors for NSSI.

Deconstructing pathways to resilience: A systematic review of associations between psychosocial mechanisms and transdiagnostic adult mental health outcomes in the context of adverse childhood experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are identified with increased risk of adult mental health difficulties and negative impacts on well-being. However, there is a need to go beyond simple associations and identify candidate mechanisms underpinning the ACEs-mental health relationship. Further methodological heterogeneity points to issues around the operationalization of ACEs and the importance of modelling data using robust research designs. The aim of the current review was to synthesize studies that utilized formal mediation and/or moderation analyses to explore psychological and social variables on the pathway between clearly defined ACEs (as measured by the ACE questionnaire and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire [CTQ]) and common mental health outcomes (depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms) across community samples aged over 18. A total of 31 papers were retrieved for critical appraisal. The majority of the studies explored factors mediating/moderating the link between child adversity and depression and less on anxiety and trauma. Most mechanisms were tested in only single studies, limiting the consistency of evidence. Evidence indicated that the mechanisms underlying associations between ACEs and adult mental health are likely to reflect multiple intervening variables. Further, there are substantial methodological limitations in the extant literature including the proliferation of causal inferences from cross-sectional designs and both measurement and conceptual issues in operationalizing adversity. Consistent transdiagnostic mechanisms relevant to common mental health problems were identified, including perceived social support, emotion regulation and negative cognitive appraisals/beliefs. Further research using longitudinal design is required to delineate the potential contribution of the identified mechanisms.

Relationship between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Anxiety in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are self-perpetuating dysfunctional cognitive structures that have been linked with youth psychological health and play a significant role in developing and maintaining psychological distress, including anxiety symptoms.

METHOD

The present meta-analysis synthesises the existing literature to evaluate the strength of association between EMS and anxiety symptoms among adolescents and young adults (aged 10-29 years). The systematic literature search was carried out in October 2019 using six different databases.

RESULTS

Our systematic search has identified 15 studies, comprising of 9515 participants (Mean age = 18.95, SD = 5.30). All the studies assessed were either cross-sectional or longitudinally designed. The random effect estimate for overall EMS with anxiety was r = 0.59 (95% Cl = 0.50 to 0.68, Z = 9.69, p < 0.0001), indicating a strong association between EMS and anxiety. When different schema domains were investigated separately, anxiety was shown to have significantly stronger associations with the schema domains of disconnection/rejection (r = 0.50), impaired autonomy/performance (r = 0.47) and other-directedness (r = 0.49). Further, females were found to have higher schemas of hypervigilance and other-directedness and associated anxiety symptoms compared to males.

LIMITATIONS

Meta-analytical results were limited to articles published in peer-reviewed journals in English language, inducing an upward publication bias and limiting the generalizability of the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight schemas related to disconnection/rejection, impaired autonomy/performance and other-directedness as particularly salient precursors of anxiety symptoms, providing evidence for clinicians to target these particular schemas during prevention, intervention, and management of anxiety disorder.

Depression and anxiety symptoms to COVID-19 outbreak among the public, medical staff and patients during the initial phase of the pandemic: an online questionnaire survey by a WeChat Mini Program

OBJECTIVES

To survey anxiety and depression symptoms to COVID-19 outbreak in the public, medical staff and patients during the initial phase of the pandemic.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional online survey administered through WeChat Mini Program using Chinese versions of Zung Self-rating Depression Scale and Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale.

SETTING

Guangzhou, China.

PARTICIPANTS

47 378 public, 1512 medical staff and 125 patients with COVID-19.

RESULTS

Higher rates of depression (47.8%) and anxiety symptoms (48.7%) were shown by patients who were screened positive compared with those of the public (35.6%, 25.7%) or medical staff (15.4%, 13.3%). The professional identity of a nurse, conditions of 'with an infected family member' and 'working at the frontline' were risk factors to depression or anxiety symptoms for the medical staff. Younger age, lower educational level, female and not having adequate masks were the risk factors for the public.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 outbreak increased people's depression or anxiety emotion responses, which varied extensively among the patients, public and medical staff.

Early maladaptive schemas and depression in adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Improved understanding of the specific cognitive risk factors associated with depression is needed to inform prevention and treatment approaches. Recent research has examined the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and depression, but the findings were yet to be integrated using meta-analytic methods. The aim of this review was to synthesize the evidence on the relationship between depression and EMS.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, by searching the PsycINFO, PubMed and CINAHL databases. Included studies were peer-reviewed journal articles that examined the relationship between one or more EMS and depression in adulthood in participants aged 18 years or older.

RESULTS

A total of 51 studies were included (k = 743; pooled N = 17,830). All 18 EMSs were positively correlated with depression, with effect sizes ranging from small (r = .23 [.17, .29]; Entitlement) to large (r = .53 [.46, .60]; Social Isolation; r = .50, 95% CI [.45, .54]; Defectiveness/Shame).

CONCLUSION

The evidence suggests that individuals who feel like they do not belong, or that they are flawed, bad or unlovable, report higher levels of depression. However, most studies used cross-sectional designs, and further longitudinal research is needed to establish the direction of the relationship between EMS and depression. These findings can guide preventative and treatment approaches. Focusing treatment on the Social Isolation and Defectiveness/Shame EMS may aid in relieving depressive symptoms.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and depression in adolescence and young adulthood

Early maladaptive schemas (EMS) are broad, pervasive themes and patterns of emotions, memories, cognition and physical sensations that impede the goal of individuals. Maladaptive behaviours can occur as a response to maladaptive or negative schemas, often culminating in depression or anxiety. The current meta-analysis integrates the existing literature to estimate the magnitude of effect of association between EMS and depression among adolescents and young adults. A systematic search of seven different databases including Embase, CINAHL, Medline, ASSIA, Psych INFO, Scopus and Web of Science was carried out identifying 24 relevant studies of adolescents (10-18 years) and young adults (19-29 years). The random-effect model estimate for association between overall EMS and depression was r = 0.56 (95% CI 0.49-0.63, Z = 12.88, p ≤ 0.0001), suggesting higher predominant EMS significantly linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms, with a large effect size. Separate meta-analytical results with schema domains indicated moderately stronger associations between schemas of disconnection/rejection, impaired autonomy/performance and other-directedness with depression. Age and gender were not found to have any significant moderating effect on the associations. The findings suggest that it is vital for clinicians to identify specific maladaptive schemas contributing towards depression, to have a better understanding of underlying cognitive processes and in turn promote psychological health, well-being and resilience in adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, findings will also assist clinicians to focus more on the content of three significant schema domains, which emerged as particularly salient factors underlying adolescent depression.

Cognitive and Emotional Processes and Life Satisfaction of Korean Adults With Childhood Abuse Experience According to the Level of Emotional Expressiveness

This study evaluates a hypothesized model describing the cognitive and emotional processes of childhood abuse and its influence on life satisfaction and explores the moderating effect of emotional expressivity in Korean young adults. The mediating roles of early maladaptive schema and state anxiety are explored, and the level of life satisfaction is compared according to the emotional expressivity level. A total of 550 young adults completed self-reported questionnaires, including Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-SF), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Emotional Expressivity Scale (EES). The mediating roles of early maladaptive schema and state anxiety between childhood abuse and life satisfaction are confirmed. In the low emotional expressivity group, the double-mediation effect of early maladaptive schema and state anxiety is confirmed, whereas for the high emotional expressivity group, the mediating roles of each early maladaptive schema and state anxiety are confirmed, as well as the double-mediation effect. Moreover, the high emotional expressivity group showed higher life satisfaction. The study results imply that even though expressing emotions does not result in immediate mood elevation, but eventually leads to higher life satisfaction. The implications, limitations, and suggestions are discussed.

Physical, Psychological and Sexual Abuse of the Minor in the Families from the Northwestern Region of Romania- Social and Medical Forensics

BACKGROUND

In Romania, the abuse within the family of the minor child is a widespread phenomenon, its extent is insufficiently known because of ignorance/not reporting all the existing cases.

METHODS

The participants of the research are represented by two independent groups from the NW Romania 2007-2011, one for sociological study (1544 parents and 1283 children) and another for forensic statistical study (2761 cases of abused children). The sociological study was carried out by analyzing questionnaires applied in schools located in Bihor County, both to children and parents. The statistical analysis was carried out by studying the cases of the physically, sexually, and psychologically abused minors, recorded at Bihor County Forensic Service.

RESULTS

Physical neglect and physical abuse are the most common forms of child abuse. The forensic analysis highlight that most of the victims are male from urban areas. Physical abuse is more common in the 16-18 age group, psychological abuse in children aged between 6-10 yr, and sexual abuse in children under the age of 14 years. Girls were subject to sexual abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse, more frequently in rural areas; boys were most often victims of exploitation, physical, and emotional abuse in both urban and rural areas.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study led to the formulation of general guidelines on this phenomenon and highlight the need for proposals to improve the current situation of child abuse within the family.

Adverse childhood experiences and early maladaptive schemas in adulthood: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Schema Therapy is based on the theory that trauma and neglect in childhood lead to early maladaptive schemas and psychopathology in adulthood. The aim of this review was to evaluate support for this theory by synthesizing the literature on childhood adversity and schemas.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were completed in compliance with PRISMA. PsycInfo, CINAHL and PubMed were searched to identify eligible studies that reported unadjusted association(s) between adverse childhood events and schema scores when participants were 18 years or older. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the pooled effect size of associations between schemas and experiences of childhood adversity.

RESULTS

A total of 33 studies met inclusion criteria and provided sufficient data for meta-analyses on childhood experiences relating to toxic frustration of needs (emotional neglect and physical neglect) and trauma and victimization (emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse). Of the 124 meta-analyses, 65 indicated that schemas show small to large correlations with emotional neglect (range: r = .16 [Failure] to r = .51 [Emotional Deprivation]); small to moderate correlations with emotional abuse (range: r = .20 [Vulnerability to Harm] to r = .44 [Emotional Deprivation]); and small correlations with physical neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse (range: r = .16 [Vulnerability to Harm] to .26 [Emotional Deprivation and Social Isolation]).

CONCLUSIONS

Of the 33 included studies, only one used a longitudinal design. However, based on the correlational studies available, early maladaptive schemas in adulthood are associated with a history of childhood abuse and neglect.

Cognitive mediators of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult psychopathology: A systematic review

This is the first review to rigorously examine the mediating role of cognitive factors in the relationship between childhood trauma and subsequent adult psychopathology, and highlight areas for future research. A database search (Child Development & Adolescent Studies, ERIC, Global Health, PsycARTICLES, and PsycINFO) was conducted to identify empirical studies on cognitive factors, explaining the relationship between different types of adverse childhood experiences and adult psychopathology across clinical and nonclinical populations. A narrative synthesis and appraisal of the methodological quality of the studies was conducted. Ninety-eight mediation studies were identified, comprising 4,137 clinical and 28,228 nonclinical participants. Despite great variation in methodological quality of the studies, our narrative synthesis suggests that cognitive factors mediate the relationship between early trauma and later psychopathology. This finding is consistent across different measures of traumatic experiences, psychopathology, and cognitive mediators. Cognitive mediators represent potentially valuable intervention targets for (non)clinical patients who have experienced childhood adversity. Future studies are needed to (a) establish longitudinal causal connections, and (b) assess the effect of interventions that specifically target cognitive change in patients with different levels and types of pathology.

Experiences of (young) women after out of home placement: An examination of personality disorder symptoms through the lens of child maltreatment

BACKGROUND

Child maltreatment has been associated with the development of various mental health problems, including the development of personality disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the association between child maltreatment and personality disorder symptoms in 125 women who transitioned out of residential care.

METHOD

The Child Trauma Questionnaire was used for the measurement of child maltreatment, and Personality disorder symptoms were measured using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire 4 + . The Psychological Distress Index was used to control for symptoms of distress.

RESULTS

A Stepwise regression analysis showed that the majority of the associations were found between self-reported emotional abuse, neglect and personality disorder symptoms. Emotional abuse was significantly related to the Paranoid (β = .42, p<0.001), Schizoid (β = .18, p <0.05), Schizotypal (β = .18, p<0.05), Histrionic (β = .22, p<0.05), Avoidant (β = .31, p <  .001), Dependent (β = 0.31, p <  .001), Obsessive Compulsive (β = 0.29, p = .001), Passive Aggressive (β = 0.23, p<0.01) and the Depressive personality disorder (β = .38, p <  .001). Emotional neglect was significantly associated to the Borderline Personality Disorder (β = .32, p<0.001) and the Paranoid Personality Disorder (β =-0.22, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study underlines the detrimental effects of childhood maltreatment, and in particular the effects of emotional abuse and neglect.

Relationship between anxiety, depression, sex, obesity, and internet addiction in Chinese adolescents: A short-term longitudinal study

Associations between anxiety, depression and adolescent Internet addiction have been well documented in the literature; however, few published studies have examined these relationships considering the developmental trajectory courses of adolescent Internet addiction as well as the individual differences over time. Using a sample of 1545 Chinese adolescents and 3 waves of data over six months, we examined the longitudinal associations between anxiety and depression and Internet addiction, considering sex and obesity. We used latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) to examine the overall conditions of Internet addiction, and latent class growth modeling (LCGM) to determine adolescent developmental membership for Internet addiction. Both unconditional and conditional models were performed. Anxiety and depression were analyzed as time-varying variables, and sex and obesity as time-invariants in our conditional models. Overall, there was a linear decline in adolescent Internet addiction over the six months. Anxiety and depression positively predicted adolescent Internet addiction. Two developmental trajectory patterns for Internet addiction were determined (i.e., low/declining, high/declining). Anxiety was associated with adolescent Internet addiction for both groups of adolescents, but depression was associated with Internet addiction only for adolescents who followed a low/declining course of Internet addiction. Boys reported a higher mean score of Internet addiction at the initial status than girls, and boys also had a faster, declining rate of change over the six months than girls. Obesity was not a predictor of Internet addiction. The results spoke to the importance of considering mental health problems and sex in any intervention efforts to reduce adolescent Internet addiction. Limitations of the study were discussed.

Effects of the neuropeptide S receptor gene on the mediating effect of somatization on the association between life-event scores and psychological distress

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underlying the relationship between life events and psychological distress are unclear. However, evidence of genetic involvement, including the neuropeptide S receptor gene (NPSR1), exists.

METHODS

A total of 600 Chinese adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study using random cluster sampling. Demographic information, measures of life events and psychiatric symptoms, and fasting blood samples were collected.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were observed among life-event scores, somatization, and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms). Regression revealed life-event scores and somatization predicted anxiety, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress, while controlling for sex, age, income, education, and marital status. Structural equation modeling indicated that somatization mediated the association between life-event scores and psychological distress. Moreover, the mediating effect was influenced by the NPSR1 gene, suggesting that the NPSR1 polymorphisms rs324981, rs6947841, and rs6972158 influenced the association between life-event scores and somatization (ps < 0.05). The NPSR1 polymorphisms rs12673132 significantly affected the relationship of somatization with psychological distress (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, somatization mediated the association between life-event scores and psychological distress. The current study is the first to demonstrate this relationship with a Chinese sample, whereby the NPSR1 gene affects the mediating effect of somatization on the association between life-event scores and psychological distress.