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Isaac S, McLindon E, Hegarty K, Tarzia L. Women's Experiences Accessing Mental Health Care in Australia After Sexual Violence in Adulthood. Violence Against Women 2024; 30:3140-3162. [PMID: 37203171 PMCID: PMC11380362 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231176198] [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: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In Australia, at least one in every five women has experienced sexual violence since age 15. Research consistently links sexual violence with poor mental health, persisting long after the crisis period. Trauma-informed mental health support is therefore critical. This article draws on interviews with 29 women who had experienced sexual violence to understand their experiences accessing mental health services in Australia. Our findings suggest that, constrained by a biomedical model of care, mental health practitioners' understanding of trauma generally, and sexual violence particularly, may be lacking. Further, women struggle to navigate a "maze" of services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Isaac
- The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth McLindon
- The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kelsey Hegarty
- The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura Tarzia
- The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia
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Albuquerque Perrelli JG, García-Cerde R, Medeiros PFPD, Sanchez ZM. Profiles of mental illness in college students and associated factors: A latent class analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 175:9-19. [PMID: 38701610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Mental illness among university students poses a pressing challenge for educational institutions, urging the need for strategies that foster health and mitigate mental distress, with an emphasis on preventing suicide. Our study sought to discern the profiles of mental illness among college students and explore the factors associated with them. We examined data from 918 students at a Brazilian Federal Institute, utilizing Latent Class Analysis and multinomial regression for our analyses. We identified three distinct mental illness profiles: Anxiety with Low Suicide Risk; Mental Illness with Moderate Suicide Risk; and Mental Illness with High Suicide Risk. We observed a reduced association of these profiles with religious beliefs. Conversely, there was a heightened association with cisgender women, individuals identifying as LGBTQI+, those with learning disabilities, and victims of sexual violence. Our findings underscore the importance of tailored prevention and health promotion programs to enhance student well-being. There's a compelling need to devise mental health strategies tailored to the specific needs of the identified groups, particularly students from the LGBTQI + community, survivors of sexual abuse, and those grappling with learning disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Galdino Albuquerque Perrelli
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo García-Cerde
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Zila M Sanchez
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Rindestig FC, Gillander Gådin K, Dennhag I. Experiences of Online Sexual Violence: Interviews With Swedish Teenage Girls in Psychiatric Care. Violence Against Women 2023:10778012231203000. [PMID: 37735901 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231203000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Research about online sexual violence (OSV) is needed to be able to better meet the needs of girls in psychiatric care. The objectives of this study are to explore experiences of online sexual violence among young female psychiatric service users. Interviews with nine girls with psychiatric care needs were analyzed with thematic analysis. The findings are summarized in four themes which contribute to the notion that online sexual violence is only one, albeit important, part of a more complex picture of violence among young girls in psychiatric care. The girls' narratives are shaped by, as well as reproducing gender norms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Inga Dennhag
- Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Xianguo Q, Hui C, Xin S, Jing F, Zijian W, Zhenyu N, Yong G. The prevalence of sexual violence against African women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Afr Health Sci 2023; 23:117-127. [PMID: 38357142 PMCID: PMC10862609 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i3.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background High rates of sexual violence ratios in low-income countries are recognized as a global public health problem. The incidence of violence against African women has been increasing. However, no study has systematically summarized the global prevalence of sexual violence against African woman. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, databases from their inception through January 2021 for pertinent studies on reporting the prevalence of sexual violence against African women. We included observational studies. The prevalence rate was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistic. Differences by study level characteristics were estimated through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Results A total of 9 cross-sectional studies were included (a total of 9,030 participants). The pooled sexual violence rate was 0.33 (95% CI = 0.23-0.42). Subgroup analyses found that there was a higher rates of sexual violence against pregnant woman in east Africa (0.41, 95% CI = 0.24-0.58), pregnant (0.42, 95% CI = 0.05-0.80), and interview (0.40, 95% CI = 0.01-0.78). The analysis found that the major sexual violence types were the physical violence (0.19, 95% CI = 0.07-0.31), psychological violence (0.36, 95% CI = 0.11-0.61), sexual assault (0.25, 95% CI = 0.02-0.47). Conclusions Nearly one out of every three (33%) African woman around the world has been a victim of sexual violence in their life. This current study investigated the status and characteristics of sexual violence against women, which could provide an important reference for the African health care provider. Assessing this problem against African women helps government officials, policy makers, program designers and non-governmental organizations to design prevention and controlling strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qu Xianguo
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital
| | - Cao Hui
- Beijing Vocational College of Labour and Social Security, Department of Labor Economics and Management
| | - Shen Xin
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management
| | - Feng Jing
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management
| | - Wang Zijian
- Guangxi University of Science and Technology, School of Arts and Communication
| | - Niu Zhenyu
- Shihezi University, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
| | - Gan Yong
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Department of Social Medicine and Health Management
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Nesterko Y, Schönenberg KH, Glaesmer H. Mental health of recently arrived male refugees in Germany reporting sexual violence. Med Confl Surviv 2023; 39:4-27. [PMID: 36475329 DOI: 10.1080/13623699.2022.2151742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is one of the most severe and stigmatizing human rights violations. The recognition of men and boys as targets of sexual violence is a rather recent development. In the present study data on experiences of sexual violence as well as mental health outcomes were analysed in recently arrived male refugees (N = 392) in Germany. More than one third of the men interviewed (n = 128; 36.6%) reported having experienced sexual violence. Compared to male refugees without experiences of sexual violence, male refugee survivors showed higher prevalence rates of PTSD. Moreover, some differences were found between the subgroups on the single symptoms level, indicating higher severity in those affected by sexual violence, including negative alterations in cognition/mood, suicidal ideation, and nervousness or shakiness inside. The findings provide initial data on prevalence of sexual violence and related mental health outcomes in male refugees newly arrived in Germany and emphasize the significance of sexual violence as a risk factor for different mental health outcomes. This provides clear implications for health care professionals that could aid them in better identifying those affected. Finally, further research is urgently needed that takes a closer, more differentiated look at sexual violence in male refugee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy Nesterko
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kim Hella Schönenberg
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heide Glaesmer
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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García-Pérez S, Pastor-Moreno G, Ruiz-Pérez I, Henares-Montiel J. Relationship between Sexual Violence and the Health of Spanish Women-A National Population-Based Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3365. [PMID: 36834058 PMCID: PMC9965326 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health consequences are likely to be different when sexual violence is analysed independently from other types of violence. It is also likely that different health consequences will result in the cases of partner or ex-partner sexual violence, non-partner sexual violence and sexual harassment. METHODS This study is based on the 2019 Macro-survey of Violence against Women conducted by the Spanish Ministry of Equality on a sample of 9568 women aged 16 years or older. Odds ratios were calculated, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS The present study estimates that 4 out of 10 surveyed women had experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Sexual harassment is the most frequently reported form of this violence, while intimate partner sexual violence is the form with the most unfavourable sociodemographic characteristics and the worst health impact indicators, such as a greater likelihood of suicidal behaviour. CONCLUSIONS Sexual violence is a widespread, under-studied problem with negative health impacts. Women exposed to intimate partner violence are the most vulnerable and at risk. It is advised that responses and comprehensive care plans be developed that place special emphasis on the protection of victims' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene García-Pérez
- Unit of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Puerto Real University Hospital, 11510 Cádiz, Spain
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Andalusian Government, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Pastor-Moreno
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Andalusian Government, 18011 Granada, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica y en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Isabel Ruiz-Pérez
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Andalusian Government, 18011 Granada, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica y en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
| | - Jesús Henares-Montiel
- Andalusian School of Public Health, Andalusian Government, 18011 Granada, Spain
- Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica y en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs. GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain
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Taccini F, Rossi AA, Mannarini S. Women's EmotionS, Trauma and EmpowErMent (W-ES.T.EEM) study protocol: a psychoeducational support intervention for victims of domestic violence - a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060672. [PMID: 36008062 PMCID: PMC9422860 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread phenomenon that affects the physical and mental well-being of victims. Several barriers prevented sufferers from receiving face-to-face interventions. These obstacles increased with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, and online psychological intervention can represent a valid solution to increase the well-being of IPV victims. This manuscript describes the study protocol for a single blind randomised controlled trial that examines the efficacy of a web-based psychoeducational intervention for IPV victims that integrates dialectical behavioural therapy and the empowerment approach. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Eighty-six women who were victims of IPV during the COVID-19 outbreak will be recruited by the Interdepartmental Center for Family Research (CIRF) staff from the several antiviolence centres located in Italy. Participants will be randomly allocated to the Women's EmotionS, Trauma and EmpowErMent experimental group or the treatment as usual control condition. Both interventions will be administered individually to each woman. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Padua (protocol no 4300). Written informed consent will be obtained from all research participants before study entry. Study results will be published as peer-reviewed articles. Any relevant protocol changes will be reported in the published articles. The results will be reported anonymously. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN12880309.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Taccini
- Interdepartmental Center for Family Research, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Alberto Rossi
- Interdepartmental Center for Family Research, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Mannarini
- Interdepartmental Center for Family Research, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Frequency, Types, and Manifestations of Partner Sexual Violence, Non-Partner Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment: A Population Study in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138108. [PMID: 35805764 PMCID: PMC9266195 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: This study analyzes the frequency and sociodemographic characteristics associated with sexual violence by a partner/ex-partner (PSV), someone other than a partner or ex-partner (NPSV), or sexual harassment (SH). Methods: The study is based on the 2019 Macro-survey of Violence against Women conducted by the Spanish Ministry of Equality among a sample of 9568 women age 16 or more years. Odds Ratios were calculated and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Forty-four women had suffered some kind of sexual violence over their lifetime, 9.2% had experienced PSV, 6.5% NPSV and 40.4% SH. More than 7% of women had been raped by a partner and 2.2% by another man. In the three groups, violence was associated with lower age and having a certified disability. NPSV and SH were significantly associated with a higher education and internet use. In NPSV, 9.2% of cases were reported to the police and 3.9% were reported to the courts. In SH, 91.7% of women told a family member or a close friend and 4.2% reported it to the police or the courts. Conclusions: A greater emphasis needs to be placed on reporting sexual violence in its various forms. Rape within intimate partnerships ought to be investigated and studied in greater depth.
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Cazalis F, Reyes E, Leduc S, Gourion D. Evidence That Nine Autistic Women Out of Ten Have Been Victims of Sexual Violence. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:852203. [PMID: 35558435 PMCID: PMC9087551 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.852203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research indicates that sexual violence affects about 30% of women in the general population and between two to three times as much for autistic women. Materials and Methods We investigated prevalence of sexual abuse, autistic traits and a range of symptoms, using an online survey addressed to the women of the French autistic community (n = 225). We assessed victimization through an open question and through a specific questionnaire, derived from the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization. Results Both case identification methods yielded high figures: 68.9% victimization (open question) compared to 88.4% (standardized questionnaire). Two thirds of the victims were very young when they were first assaulted: among 199 victims, 135 were aged 18 or below and 112 participants were aged 15 or below. 75% of participants included in our study reported several aggressions. Analyses indicate that primo-victimization was highly correlated to revictimization and that being young increased that risk. Young victims were also at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. A third of the victims reported the assault. 25% of those were able to file a complaint (n = 12) and/or receive care (n = 13). For the remainder 75%, reporting did not lead to action. Discussion Those findings indicate a very large proportion of victims of sexual assault among autistic women, consistently with previous research. The World Health Organization states unambiguously that sexual violence is systemic and that vulnerable individuals are preferably targeted by offenders. We therefore postulate that it would be erroneous to consider that victimization of autistic women is mainly due to autism. On the contrary, autism seems to be just a vulnerability factor. Some authors propose that educating potential victims to better protect themselves would help preventing abuse. We reviewed this proposition in the light of our results and found it to be impossible to apply since more than half of the victims were below or at the age of consent. Literature about sexual violence is discussed. Large-scale prevention programs proposed by World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control aim at cultural changes in order to diminish gender inequality, that they identify as the very root of sexual violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Cazalis
- Centre d’Analyse et de Mathématique Sociales, CNRS-EHESS, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Fabienne Cazalis,
| | | | | | - David Gourion
- GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Hôpital Sainte Anne, Paris, France
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Vila-Badia R, Del Cacho N, Butjosa A, Serra Arumí C, Esteban Santjusto M, Abella M, Cuevas-Esteban J, Morelló G, Pardo M, Muñoz-Samons D, Usall J. Prevalence and types of childhood trauma in first episode psychosis patients. Relation with clinical onset variables. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 146:102-108. [PMID: 34959161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the prevalence and the type of childhood trauma (CT) in a first-episode psychosis (FEP) cohort and in a healthy control (HC) sample. To study which clinical and sociodemographic variables in the onset of the FEP are related to having suffered some traumatic experience in childhood. METHOD 100 FEP patients and 94 HC participated in the study. The Childhood Traumatic Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to evaluate CT. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Personal and Social Performance (PSP), the Suicide Risk Scale of Plutchik (SRSP), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were also administered. RESULTS 61% of FEP patients and 17% of HC reported having experienced some kind of CT. FEP showed more CT than controls in all subscales, except in sexual abuse. The most frequent CT was emotional abuse. For the FEP group, younger age, more years of education, have a first-degree family history, more positive and negative symptoms, more perceived stress and more personal and social functioning were the variables more influenced by having suffered some kind of CT. CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence of CT in FEP patients. Having a first-degree family history of mental illness, more positive symptoms, and more perception of stress at the time of hospital admission were related to having suffered CT. More research is needed to find out the best way to detect CT and its role in psychosis to be able to implement interventions to improve the evolution of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vila-Badia
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Universitat de Barcelona, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de La Salut Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - N Del Cacho
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
| | - A Butjosa
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Hospital Infanto-juvenil Sant Joan de Déu, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - C Serra Arumí
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain; Universitat de Barcelona, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de La Salut Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Esteban Santjusto
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
| | - M Abella
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - J Cuevas-Esteban
- Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, CIBERSAM, Badalona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, Spain
| | - G Morelló
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
| | - M Pardo
- Hospital Infanto-juvenil Sant Joan de Déu, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - D Muñoz-Samons
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Hospital Infanto-juvenil Sant Joan de Déu, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
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- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Judith Usall
- Etiopatogènia i Tractament Dels Trastorns Mentals Greus (MERITT), Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain; Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Doctor Antoni Pujadas, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
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Sinko L, Regier P, Curtin A, Ayaz H, Rose Childress A, Teitelman AM. Neural correlates of cognitive control in women with a history of sexual violence suggest altered prefrontal cortical activity during cognitive processing. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 18:17455057221081326. [PMID: 35225075 PMCID: PMC8883288 DOI: 10.1177/17455057221081326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Women's experiences of sexual violence can be not only psychologically and physically traumatizing but may also have lasting effects on brain functions, including cognitive control relating to the inhibition and processing of emotion. Thus, the purpose of this pilot study is to explore underlying neural correlates of sexual violence's impact on cognitive control in women. METHODS Thirty women (aged 21-30 years) participants underwent a quantitative survey along with an affect-congruent Go-NoGo task. Prefrontal activity was monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, a portable neuroimaging technology. An analysis of variance tested for main effects of the condition (Go versus NoGo), group (sexual violence versus no prior sexual violence), and potential interactions. RESULTS Fifteen of 30 women reported a history of childhood (n = 5) and/or adult (n = 12) sexual violence. Those with sexual violence histories reported significantly higher depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as increased impulsivity compared to their peers. Behavioral performance did not differ between the groups; however, functional near-infrared spectroscopy data revealed a significant (group × condition) interaction in Optodes 13 and 16. Women with histories of sexual violence had a significantly lower response during the "NoGo" condition and a heightened response during the "Go" condition, in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSION These results suggest altered prefrontal cortical activity during cognitive processing in women with a history of sexual violence, showing hypoactivity during response inhibition and hyperactivity to the positive stimuli. These findings have strong translational promise for innovative assessment and prevention of untoward effects among women with sexual violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sinko
- Department of Nursing, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paul Regier
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Studies of Addiction, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adrian Curtin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hasan Ayaz
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Drexel Solutions Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna Rose Childress
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Studies of Addiction, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anne M Teitelman
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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