Childhood Maltreatment and PTSD: Spiritual Well-Being and Intimate Partner Violence as Mediators

Childhood Maltreatment and Spiritual Well-Being: Intolerance of Uncertainty and Emotion Regulation as Mediators in Turkish Sample

Spiritual well-being is a phenomenon that enhances the quality of life and acts as a protective factor against stress and negative emotions. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether childhood psychological maltreatment is related to spiritual well-being and whether intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation serially mediate this relationship. The study sample comprised 330 participants aged between 18 and 55 years from 46 out of the 81 cities in Türkiye. The study participants completed the Psychological Maltreatment Questionnaire, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Emotion Regulation Scale, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale, a scale derived from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being that measures spiritual well-being by using the conceptualization of meaning and peace. The data obtained were analyzed using a two-step structural equation modeling approach, which indicated that childhood psychological maltreatment has an association with spiritual well-being, and this relationship is mediated by both intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature on spiritual well-being.

Social and Behavioral Pathways between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Poor Adult Physical Health: Mediation by Early Adulthood Experiences in a Low-Income Population

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of poor health and wellbeing in adulthood. In this study, we tested whether experiences in early adulthood-intimate partner violence (IPV), substance use, social isolation, and work instability-mediate the relationship between ACEs and poor physical health in later adulthood. Using data from a large-scale survey of Medicaid enrollees in the Portland metropolitan area, four separate mediation models were constructed to assess the indirect effects of each early adulthood experience and the proportion of the total effect on physical health accounted for by the pathway. Experiencing four or more ACEs increased the risk of poor adult physical health by 50% (RR 1.50). Considered in separate models, mediation by IPV accounted for 14.4% of the total effect; substance use mediated a similar proportion (14.0%). Social isolation was a less substantial mediator (7.6%). Work instability did not mediate the relationship between ACEs and adult physical health in our population. These findings provide evidence that IPV, substance use, and social isolation in early adulthood are part of the pathway between high ACEs and poor adult physical health. Intervening to prevent negative early adult experiences may mitigate some of the long-term effects of childhood trauma on health.

Childhood Physical Abuse and Antisocial Traits: Mediating Role of Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Clusters

Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are associated with both childhood physical abuse (CPA) and antisocial (AS) traits, yet their potential as mediators of the CPA-AS traits link is understudied and the specific roles of individual symptom clusters in this relation is unknown. The current study aimed to examine the mediational role of PTSS in the relation between CPA and AS traits in a sample of low-income African American women with histories of intimate partner violence (IPV). It was hypothesized that avoidance would emerge as a significant mediator, whereas reexperiencing, numbing, and hyperarousal would not. Participants (N = 150) were recruited from a level-1 trauma public hospital and evaluated as part of a randomized controlled trial of a group therapy intervention for low-income, African American women suicide attempters with histories of IPV. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS), and International Personality Disorder Examination-Screening Questionnaire (IPDE-SQ) were used to measure variables of interest. Using bootstrapping analyses, a parallel mediation model compared PTSS clusters as potential mediators of the CPA-AS traits relation, controlling for IPV. When reexperiencing, avoidance, numbing, and hyperarousal were entered simultaneously as potential mediators, only avoidance emerged as a significant mediator of the CPA-AS traits link. Avoidance symptoms may play a unique role in the link between early experiences of CPA and later AS traits among multiply traumatized African American women. Findings have implications for understanding AS traits in the context of early life trauma and suggest that targeting specific PTSS clusters (e.g., avoidance) may improve treatment outcomes for women in this population.

Childhood abuse, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and alcohol misuse among African-American women

The study explored associations among childhood abuse, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and alcohol misuse in a sample of low-income African-American women (N = 172). Using bootstrapping techniques, a mediation effect was found of childhood physical and emotional abuse on alcohol misuse via PTSS symptom severity, avoidance, and hyperarousal, as well as for childhood sexual abuse on alcohol misuse via PTSS symptom severity and hyperarousal. Our results suggest that PTSS indicators, particularly symptom severity and hyperarousal, may be important mechanisms underlying the association of experiences of abuse during childhood and alcohol misuse in adulthood.

Psychological Maltreatment and Spiritual Wellbeing in Turkish College Young Adults: Exploring the Mediating Effect of College Belonging and Social Support

The purpose of this study is to examine whether college belonging and social support mediate the association between childhood psychological maltreatment and spiritual wellbeing among college young adults. The sample of the present study included 493 college young adults (33% male), ranging in age between 18 and 39 years (M = 21.35, SD = 2.56). The results showed that psychological maltreatment not only had a direct predictive effect on spiritual wellbeing but also an indirect predictive effect on spiritual wellbeing through college belonging and social support. These findings present important implications for research and practices by providing an in-depth understanding of the association between psychological maltreatment and spiritual wellbeing among Turkish college students.

The Association of Religion and Spirituality with Postpartum Mental Health in Women with Childhood Maltreatment Histories

OBJECTIVES

Although the associations between religion and spirituality and mental health and trauma have been studied extensively across various populations, relatively few studies have focused on the postpartum period. This study aimed to shed light on specific domains of religiosity and spirituality that may be resiliency factors for positive postpartum adjustment defined as low depression and high quality of life in mothers oversampled for childhood trauma histories.

METHODS

We examined several religion and spirituality variables among 108 women at 6 months postpartum as well as prospective relations from religion and spirituality to postpartum depression and quality of life at 12 and 15 months postpartum.

RESULTS

We found that the personal aspects of self-forgiveness and forgiveness for others were most relevant as resiliency factors predicting lower postpartum depression and better quality of life even when controlling for other risks (trauma and demographics). Surprisingly, no other religion and spirituality domain had associations with postpartum depression or quality of life, with the exception of a significant negative association for organizational religiousness with quality of life at 12 months postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that forgiveness, especially to self and to others, in women who have been physically and mentally hurt as children may be associated with mental wellness and quality of life in the late postpartum period. Further, our results point to the need to study specific religion and spirituality aspects in the context of specific populations and conditions instead of generally studying religion and spirituality as a common marker for coping.

Evaluating an Intergenerational Model to Explain the Path From Violence Against Mothers to Child Behavior and Academic Outcomes

An intergenerational model to explain the long-term effect of partner violence against mothers on child behavior was evaluated 48 months after 278 mothers first sought safe shelter or justice services. Twelve percent reported recent abuse, and six mothers reported severe or extreme danger. Self-efficacy (-.58, p < .05), social support (-28, p < .05), and financial support (-.25) were inversely associated with mental health concerns. Higher maternal mental health concerns (.55, p < .05) and child witnessing abuse (.70, p < .05) were associated with child behavioral problems. Child behavioral problems were inversely associated with child academic functioning (-.22, p < .05). To improve child outcomes, interventions that establish safety for mothers and children and promote maternal mental health are needed.

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Suicidal Ideation Among Bipolar Patients: Existential But Not Religious Well-Being as a Protective Factor

Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) are at an increased risk of Suicidal ideation, attempts, and death. Moreover, a strong association exists between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and suicidal ideation among individuals with BD. Yet growing evidence suggests that existential well-being (EWB) may be a protective factor against suicidality. In this study, adult BD patients (N = 112) provided data on CSA, religious well-being (RWB; spiritual life in relation to God), EWB (purpose/meaning in life), and suicidal ideation. Participants were between 19 and 65 years of age. The majority was female and described their race/ethnicity as African American. Results indicated that CSA was negatively associated with EWB and was not related to RWB. Further, EWB mediated the association between CSA and suicidal ideation, whereas RWB did not. Having meaning/purpose in life may serve as a protective factor against suicidal ideation among individuals with BD who experienced CSA, whereas having a relationship/belief in God may not serve the same function.

Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is a serious public health problem in the world. It is imperative to examine risk factors for IPV victimization.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment (CM) and IPV victimization and investigate the moderating effects of gender and marital status.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Examination of the literature produced a sample of 56 effect sizes (N = 23,127) for review.

METHODS

PsycINFO, PsycArticles, EBSCO-ERIC, Medline, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses databases were systematically searched until March 31, 2018. Forty-six eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Random effects model was used for meta-analysis of the studies.

RESULTS

Results indicated a significant association between total CM and IPV victimization (r = .18, p < .001). Further subgroup analyses revealed that all four types of CM (childhood physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect) were positively related to IPV victimization (r = .19, .18, .17, and .12, respectively). Moreover, the moderation analyses revealed that the association between CM and IPV victimization was stronger for dating couples than for married ones. However, this relation did not show significant difference between males and females.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an association between CM and IPV victimization, and it is moderated by marital status.

Childhood Abuse, Religious Involvement, and Lifetime Substance Use Disorders among Latinas Nationwide

BACKGROUND

Childhood abuse is a major behavioral health concern and imposes lasting sequelae on mental and physical health, including lifetime substance use disorders (LT-SUD). Yet, gender-specific research examining this early trauma and substance use in Latina-Americans (Latinas) is scarce. No study has explored the relationship between collectivist cultural factors and LT-SUD in this largest minority-female subgroup of the United States' population.

OBJECTIVES

Based on coping theory, this study investigated the association between childhood abuse, cultural factors, and LT-SUD among Latinas nationwide.

METHODS

Using the National Latino and Asian American Study we performed three-step logistic regressions to investigate LT-SUD for 1,427 Latinas, following three preplanned steps: (1) childhood physical and sexual abuse (CPA and CSA) with LT-SUD; (2) known correlates as controls; and (3) cultural strength factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence rates of CPA and CSA were 28.0% and 18.4%, and that of LT-SUD was 4.8%. Religious attendance at a weekly level was negatively related to LT-SUD. Alongside English proficiency, discrimination, and social support, however, CPA and religious coping were positively associated with LT-SUD. Conclusion/Importance: Childhood physical abuse is an early risk factor for long-term substance use, viewed as a negative coping strategy. Religious attendance may have potential protection for Latinas. The victimization history may lead to coexisting positive (e.g., pursing social support, religious coping) and negative (e.g., SUD) coping behaviors within Latino communities.

Suicidal ideation and hopelessness in PTSD: spiritual well-being mediates outcomes over time

Background There is an increased interest in understanding the mechanisms through which post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relates with hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Spiritual well-being could help explain the link between PTSD and both hopelessness and suicidal ideation in African Americans. However, no study has examined the mediational role of existential and religious well-being among these variables. Objectives To examine if initial levels of existential and religious well-being mediated the relation between levels of PTSD symptoms and prospective levels of hopelessness and suicidal ideation in a sample of African American females. Design The study used a longitudinal design with a 10-week time interval. Methods The sample comprised of 113 disadvantaged African American women survivors of a recent suicide attempt recruited from a southern hospital. Self-report measures of PTSD symptoms, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and spiritual well-being were administered to examine the variables of interest. Bootstrapping techniques were used to test the mediational models. Results Existential, but not religious well-being, mediated the relationship between levels of PTSD symptoms severity and both levels of hopelessness and suicidal ideation over time. Conclusions Existential well-being appears to play a promising protective role against the negative effects of PTSD on both hopelessness and suicidal ideation.