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Garon-Bissonnette J, Bolduc MÈG, Lemieux R, Berthelot N. Cumulative childhood trauma and complex psychiatric symptoms in pregnant women and expecting men. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:10. [PMID: 34983417 PMCID: PMC8725451 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-04327-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women and men having been exposed to childhood trauma would be at high risk of various mental health symptoms while awaiting a child. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cumulative childhood trauma and the accumulation of symptoms belonging to different psychiatric problems in pregnant women and expecting men. METHODS We first examined prevalence rates of childhood trauma across our samples of 2853 pregnant women and 561 expecting men from the community. Second, we evaluated the association between cumulative childhood trauma and symptom complexity (i.e., the simultaneous presentation of symptoms belonging to multiple psychiatric problems) using subsamples of 1779 pregnant women and 118 expecting men. Participants completed self-reported measures of trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and psychiatric symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2; Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale). RESULTS Trauma was more frequent in pregnant women than in expecting men and in participants reporting sociodemographic risk factors than in those not reporting any. A dose-response relationship was observed between the number of different traumas reported by pregnant women and expecting men and the complexity of their psychiatric symptoms, even when controlling for the variance explained by other risk factors. Women having been exposed to cumulative childhood trauma were 4.95 times more at risk of presenting comorbid psychiatric problems during pregnancy than non-exposed women. CONCLUSIONS Childhood trauma is frequent in the general population of pregnant women and expecting men and is associated with symptom complexity during the antenatal period. These findings call for delivering and evaluating innovative trauma-informed antenatal programs to support mental health and adaptation to parenthood in adults having been exposed to childhood trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Grisé Bolduc
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, PO Box 500, Québec, Canada
| | - Nicolas Berthelot
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada.
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, Canada.
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Québec, Canada.
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada.
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, PO Box 500, Québec, Canada.
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Berthelot N, Drouin-Maziade C, Garon-Bissonnette J, Lemieux R, Sériès T, Lacharité C. Evaluation of the Acceptability of a Prenatal Program for Women With Histories of Childhood Trauma: The Program STEP. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:772706. [PMID: 34803778 PMCID: PMC8600135 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.772706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Childhood trauma would negatively affect pregnant women's mental health and would have intergenerational repercussions. However, there is a paucity of prenatal interventions specifically designed for women exposed to childhood trauma. The study aims to evaluate the acceptability of STEP, a manualized group intervention designed for pregnant women having experienced early life adversity. Methods: The acceptability of STEP was assessed in four phases. In Phase 1, six experts evaluated whether the program activities were pertinent and trauma sensitive. In Phase 2, three parents read the intervention manuals and evaluated whether they considered each session relevant, interesting, and clear. In Phase 3, the program was briefly presented by phone to 309 pregnant women from the community. Women were inquired about their interest in the program, and the reasons for their lack of interest were assessed. In Phase 4, 30 pregnant women exposed to childhood trauma participated in the program and completed anonymous satisfaction questionnaires after each session. Psychological distress was also measured before and after the program. Results: All activities were rated by independent experts as highly pertinent, adequate, and sufficiently safe to be offered to pregnant women. Parents who read through the intervention manuals also considered that the sessions were relevant, clear, and interesting. About half of the pregnant women from the community showed interest in the program. Participants reported very high levels of satisfaction and a significant decrease in psychological distress during the program. Conclusions: Our findings show a high level of convergence among various indicators of program acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Thibaut Sériès
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Carl Lacharité
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
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Plamondon A, Racine N, McDonald S, Tough S, Madigan S. Disentangling adversity timing and type: Contrasting theories in the context of maternal prenatal physical and mental health using latent formative models. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 34:1-13. [PMID: 34016211 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Research on the effects of adversity has led to mounting interest in examining the differential impact of adversity as a function of its timing and type. The current study examines whether the effects of different types (i.e., physical, sexual, and emotional abuse) and timing (i.e., early, middle childhood, adolescence, or adulthood) of adversity on maternal mental and physical health outcomes in pregnancy, are best accounted for by a cumulative model or independent effects model. Women from a prospective pregnancy cohort (N =3,362) reported retrospectively on their experiences of adversity (i.e., physical, sexual, and emotional abuse) in early childhood (0-5 years], middle childhood (6-12 years], adolescence (13-18 years], and adulthood (19+ years]. Measures of overall health, stress, anxiety, and depression were gathered in pregnancy. Results showed that a cumulative formative latent model was selected as more parsimonious than a direct effects model. Results also supported a model where the strength of the effect of adversity did not vary across abuse timing or type. Thus, cumulative adversity resulted in greater physical and mental health difficulties. In conclusion, cumulative adversity is a more parsimonious predictor of maternal physical and mental health outcomes than adversity at any one specific adversity timing or subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Plamondon
- Department of Educational Fundamentals and Practices, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Nicole Racine
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sheila McDonald
- Departments of Paediatrics and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Suzanne Tough
- Departments of Paediatrics and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sheri Madigan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada
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Racine N, McDonald S, Chaput K, Tough S, Madigan S. Pathways from Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences to Substance Use in Pregnancy: Findings from the All Our Families Cohort. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021; 30:1795-1803. [PMID: 33524303 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is a risk factor for maternal substance use in pregnancy, however, mechanisms by which maternal ACEs may influence substance use in pregnancy have not been fully explored. The current study examines the association between maternal ACEs and substance use in pregnancy (i.e., alcohol, smoking, and drug use) and explores mediating pathways. Methods: A community sample of 1,994 women as part of the All Our Families Cohort were recruited in pregnancy in Calgary, Canada, between 2008 and 2011. Women provided retrospective reports of ACE exposure before age 18 as well as reports of demographic information, substance use (i.e., moderate-to-high alcohol use, any smoking, or any drug use), a previous history of substance use difficulties, and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Path analyses were used to examine maternal income, education, depression, and previous substance use as mediating variables. Results: There were significant indirect associations between maternal ACEs and maternal substance use in pregnancy via maternal education (β = 0.05, p < 0.001), previous substance use (β = 0.01, p = 0.001), and depression (β = 0.02, p = 0.02). The direct effect of maternal ACEs on maternal substance in pregnancy remained significant after accounting for the indirect effects (β = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.15-0.29, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Exposure to adversity in childhood can lead to socioeconomic and mental health difficulties that increase risk for substance use in pregnancy. Addressing these difficulties before pregnancy may help to reduce the potential for substance use in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Racine
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sheila McDonald
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Kathleen Chaput
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Suzanne Tough
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sheri Madigan
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada
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Developmental Origins of Ghosts and Angels in the Nursery: Adverse and Benevolent Childhood Experiences. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42844-020-00008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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