A developmental psychopathology perspective on child maltreatment. Introduction

"Weeding out" violence? Translational perspectives on the neuropsychobiological links between cannabis and aggression

Recent shifts in societal attitudes towards cannabis have led to a dramatic increase in consumption rates in many Western countries, particularly among young people. This trend has shed light on a significant link between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and pathological reactive aggression, a condition involving disproportionate aggressive and violent reactions to minor provocations. The discourse on the connection between cannabis use and aggression is frequently enmeshed in political and legal discussions, leading to a polarized understanding of the causative relationship between cannabis use and aggression. However, integrative analyses from both human and animal research indicate a complex, bidirectional interplay between cannabis misuse and pathological aggression. On the one hand, emerging research reveals a shared genetic and environmental predisposition for both cannabis use and aggression, suggesting a common underlying biological mechanism. On the other hand, there is evidence that cannabis consumption can lead to violent behaviors while also being used as a self-medication strategy to mitigate the negative emotions associated with pathological reactive aggression. This suggests that the coexistence of pathological aggression and CUD may result from overlapping vulnerabilities, potentially creating a self-perpetuating cycle where each condition exacerbates the other, escalating into externalizing and violent behaviors. This article aims to synthesize existing research on the intricate connections between these issues and propose a theoretical model to explain the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning this complex relationship.

Investigating the impact of Out-of-Home Care on early childhood development

BACKGROUND

Early childhood development is influential for life course capability. Children exposed to child maltreatment and at high risk of harm may be removed for their safety, but the effect on child development is uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To assess developmental vulnerability at school commencement across five developmental domains to ascertain whether removal of children with substantiated maltreatment to foster/kinship care is likely protective, or not, of developmental vulnerabilities.

METHODS

The study drew on linked-data for a South Australian population birth cohort (2003 to 2014) N = 74,751. For children exposed to substantiated child maltreatment meeting study criteria (N = 2011, mean age = 5.7 years, 50.7 % boys), the effect of placement in foster/kinship care (N = 666) on developmental vulnerability was explored using generalized linear models, adjusted for child and family covariates, maltreatment severity and propensity score.

RESULTS

Children placed in care had a reduced risk of developmental vulnerability on the Physical Health and Wellbeing (aRR = 0.73 [0.64, 0.84]), Language and Cognitive Skills (school based) (aRR = 0.79 [0.68, 0.92]), and Communication Skills and General Knowledge (aRR = 0.81 [0.70, 0.94]) domains, compared to children who were not removed. However, these children had increased risk of vulnerability on Social Competence (aRR = 1.14 [1.01, 1.29]) and Emotional Maturity (aRR = 1.20 [1.05, 1.37]) domains.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest placement in out-of-home care supported physical health and wellbeing, communication and cognitive but not social and emotional early childhood development. These results highlighting the need for professional therapeutic support for children in care and better attending to the physical development, communication and cognitive skills in maltreated children remaining at home.

Adverse childhood experiences and aggression in adulthood: The moderating role of positive childhood experiences

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a significant impact on a person's psychological development and predispose them to various harmful consequences in adulthood, such as different forms of aggression. Contrarily, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) operate as protective factors, buffering against the adverse effects of ACEs and promoting adaptive behaviors and psychological well-being. However, the role of PCEs in the relationship between ACEs and aggression remains relatively unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the moderation role of PCEs in the relationship between ACEs and aggression and its different components across sexes in a community sample.

METHODS

A sample of 1541 Portuguese adults answered an online protocol with a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale, the Childhood History Questionnaire, and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire.

RESULTS

ACEs were positively correlated with aggression, including physical and verbal aggression, anger, and hostility, with women reporting a higher prevalence of ACEs and higher levels of anger. Men revealed higher scores in physical and verbal aggression. Furthermore, moderation analyses clarified the moderating effect of PCEs on the relationship between ACEs and aggression in women and between ACEs and anger in both sexes. PCEs attenuate the adverse impact of ACEs, reducing aggression and anger levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This study stresses the complex interplay between childhood experiences and adult aggression, highlighting the differential effects of ACEs and PCEs across men and women. By clarifying these dynamics, interventions can be tailored to bolster protective factors like PCEs. This will ultimately foster healthier developmental trajectories and reduce the prevalence of aggression in adulthood.

Childhood emotional maltreatment and internalizing problems in a non-clinical sample of adolescents: a moderated-mediation model of insecure anxious attachment style and gender

Childhood emotional maltreatment (abuse and neglect) may contribute to the development of internalizing problems in adolescence. However, the mechanisms explaining this association should be examined further. This study explored the mediating role of insecure anxious attachment style in the relationship between emotional maltreatment and internalizing symptoms in a non-clinical sample of adolescents. Analyses were also conducted to determine whether gender moderated the direct and indirect pathways between emotional maltreatment and internalizing problems. We recruited 449 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years old [(Mage)=16.46, standard deviation (SD)=1.38]. 60.8% of adolescents were female (Mage=16.51, SD=1.43), whereas 39.2% identified as male (Mage=16.39, SD=1.28). Participants completed a survey including socio-demographic information and three selfreport questionnaires: the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, the Attachment Style Questionnaire, and the Youth Self- Report for ages 11-18. Results showed that emotional abuse and neglect were related to internalizing problems both directly and indirectly through anxious attachment style. Girls who experienced higher levels of emotional abuse and who had an anxious attachment style reported more internalizing problems than boys, whereas higher levels of emotional neglect were associated with increasing levels of internalizing problems only for boys. This study expanded our knowledge of the role of anxious attachment in the onset of internalizing problems among adolescents with experiences of childhood emotional maltreatment.

Childhood adversity is associated with reduced BOLD response in inhibitory control regions amongst preadolescents from the ABCD study

Adolescence is characterized by dynamic neurodevelopment, which poses opportunities for risk and resilience. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) confer additional risk to the developing brain, where ACEs have been associated with alterations in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) BOLD signaling in brain regions underlying inhibitory control. Socioenvironmental factors like the family environment may amplify or buffer against the neurodevelopmental risks associated with ACEs. Using baseline to Year 2 follow-up data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the current study examined how ACEs relate to fMRI BOLD signaling during successful inhibition on the Stop Signal Task in regions associated with inhibitory control and examined whether family conflict levels moderated that relationship. Results showed that greater ACEs were associated with reduced BOLD response in the right opercular region of the inferior frontal gyrus and bilaterally in the pre-supplementary motor area, which are key regions underlying inhibitory control. Further, greater BOLD response was correlated with less impulsivity behaviorally, suggesting reduced activation may not be behaviorally adaptive at this age. No significant two or three-way interactions with family conflict levels or time were found. Findings highlight the continued utility of examining the relationship between ACEs and neurodevelopmental outcomes and the importance of intervention/prevention of ACES.

Associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Gambling Severity in Youth Online Gamblers: The Mediating Roles of Internalizing, Attention and Externalizing Problems

BACKGROUND

This study examined the association between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Gambling Severity (gambling severity), considering the mediating roles of internalizing, externalizing, and attention among youth online gamblers.

METHODS

762 youth (agemean±SD= 15.03 ± 2.40; agerange = 10-18 years; 75.3% boys) completed the Persian Gambling Disorder Screening Questionnaire (GDSQ-P), Pediatric Symptom Checklist - Youth Report (Y-PSC), and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Questionnaire (ACE's section, modified by authors). The analysis was done using the SMART PLS software.

RESULTS

The reliability and discriminant validity of the provided model were assessed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). According to the results of the PLS-SEM analysis, the present model demonstrated suitable levels of reliability and validity. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) significantly affected attention, internalizing, externalizing problems, and gambling severity. Additionally, the level of gambling was directly correlated with ACEs. Moreover, the indirect influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable via the mediators was found to be statistically significant (P < .001).These findings suggest that externalizing behaviors, attention problems, and internalizing symptoms mediate the effect of ACEs on gambling severity. Lastly, fitness indices indicated that our proposed model fit the data well (SRMR = 0.06, d_ULS = 1.15, Chi-square = 1291.461, and NFI = 0.71).

CONCLUSION

Our study found that ACEs significantly influence gambling severity among youth online gamblers, with internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems mediating this relationship. Practical implications include integrating ACE screening and targeted interventions for associated mental health issues into youth gambling prevention programs to mitigate the risk of problematic gambling behavior.

Contextual factors of child behavioral health across developmental stages

This study examines the relative influence of environmental contexts (family, school, neighborhood) on child behavioral health at ages 3, 5, 9, and 15 years. Path analysis was conducted on a sample of 4,898 urban children from a longitudinal dataset called the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Child physical abuse, emotional abuse, maternal depression, substance use, neighborhood social cohesion, neighborhood poverty, school connectedness, and peer bullying had concurrent relationships with child behavior problems at one or more developmental stages. Early childhood abuse (age 3) and school age environmental contexts (age 9) had lasting effects on later behavior problems. Findings underscore the importance of both multilevel contextual factors and developmental timing in determining behavioral health outcomes in children.

Pilot examination of independent and interactive effects of maltreatment and neighborhood risk on child attachment

Elucidating the influence of microsystem and exosystem factors on development is an important goal of developmental psychopathology. This study examined the effects of maltreatment and neighborhood risk on child-caregiver attachment. Maltreatment records, neighborhood risk indices, and Strange Situation data were collected from a diverse sample of 170 four-year-old children and their caregivers. Relative contributions of maltreatment, neighborhood risk, and their interaction on attachment insecurity and disorganization were explored via latent moderation. Maltreated children demonstrated higher rates of insecure attachment, but not attachment disorganization, independent of neighborhood risk. Controlling for maltreatment, preliminary results suggested no effects of neighborhood risk on attachment. Findings support prior research that has identified maltreatment as a salient risk to the formation of secure attachment relationships. However, results add heterogeneity to the limited research investigating effects of neighborhood on attachment. Overall, this study highlights the importance of examining multilevel ecological risk in relation to attachment relationship development.

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.

The long and winding road: Pathways from basic research to implementation and evaluation

In this article, we celebrate Dante Cicchetti's extensive contributions to the discipline of developmental psychopathology. In his seminal article, he articulated why developmental psychopathology was imperative to create research portfolios that could inform the causes, consequences, and trajectories for adults often initiated by early lived experiences (Cicchetti, 1984). In this three-part article, we share our transdisciplinary efforts to use developmental psychopathology as a foundational theory from which to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions for populations who experienced early adversity or who were at risk for child abuse and neglect. After describing interventions conducted at Mt. Hope Family Center that spanned over three decades, we highlight the criticality of disseminating results and address policy implications of this work. We conclude by discussing future directions to facilitate work in developmental psychopathology. Currently, one of three national National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-funded child abuse and neglect centers, we look forward to continuing to build upon Dante's efforts to disseminate this important work to improve society for our children, our nation's often most vulnerable and forgotten citizens.

Positive and adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes of children

OBJECTIVE

Researchers and policymakers have identified adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction as a contributing factor to poor mental health outcomes for children. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) like open family communication styles, having the ability to live and play in a safe, stable, and protective environment, having constructive opportunities for social engagement, and receiving mentorship from adults have been found to improve the mental health of children.

PURPOSE

This paper explores the role of ACEs and PCEs on the mental health outcomes of children.

METHOD

A sample of 22,628 children ages 6-17 from the National Survey of Children's Health (2017-2020) was used to explore the relationship between PCEs and ACEs and the mental health of children. Logistic regression analysis is used to model the effect of PCEs and ACEs on the odds of child mental health diagnoses.

RESULTS

Findings indicate that with each additional ACE, there was a significant increase in the odds of reporting a MH condition (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI 1.09-1.43). Conversely, with each additional PCE, there is a significant decrease in the odds or reporting a MH condition (OR = 0.76, 95 % CI 0.68-0.84). There was also evidence that PCEs moderate the relationship between ACEs and reports of mental health conditions. When counts of ACEs are low, PCEs provide a protective effect on reports of mental health. But when the count of ACEs are high, children with higher numbers of PCEs have similar reports of mental health conditions.

SUMMARY

This study provides information about the moderating effect of PCEs on the relationship between ACEs and child mental health diagnosis with the goal of informing policies and interventions focused on ameliorating the growing crisis of children's negative mental health and well-being. WHAT IS KNOWN?: Adverse childhood events (ACEs) like abuse, neglect and household dysfunction are known to negatively impact the mental health and well-being of children. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs), on the other hand, can positively influence the mental health and well-being of children. WHAT DOES THIS ARTICLE ADD?: This study examines the association between adverse and positive childhood experiences to understand how they impact the mental health outcomes of children ages 6-17. Findings indicate that when ACEs are lower, the impact of PCEs are positive, but when ACEs are higher, PCEs do not make much difference in reports of mental health problems.

Intergenerational (Dis)continuity of Child Maltreatment: Variation by Parents' Childhood Victimization Experiences and Sex

This longitudinal population-based study examines the association between maltreatment victimization experiences and the likelihood of intergenerational (dis)continuity of maltreatment. Our data include all individuals born in 1983/1984 in Queensland (QLD), Australia who are registered as parents via birth records and who experienced system contacts for maltreatment victimization in childhood (n = 2906). Child safety data on system contacts as a child victim and person responsible for harm to a child were obtained from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs. Out-of-home care experiences and maltreatment frequency, timing, and type were examined. Results indicated that childhood maltreatment experiences significantly differed between parents who were not subsequently responsible for harm to a child (cycle breakers) and parents who were subsequently responsible for harm to a child (cycle maintainers). Different patterns of association were observed across sex. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the heterogeneity of victim maltreatment experiences and associated risk of maltreatment for their children, and can inform effective and targeted interventions by tailoring these by sex and developmental period.

The role of family accommodation in child posttraumatic stress symptoms and functional impairment in the context of cognitive behavioral therapy

BACKGROUND

Caregiver behaviors such as family accommodation (FA) are negatively reinforced by reduced distress in the short term, but ultimately maintain symptoms. It is important to explore the role of FA on symptoms and impairment. The current study examined the relationship among FA, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and functional impairment in a sample of children and their caregivers who completed trauma treatment.

METHOD

Participants included 183 children and their caregivers (M age = 7.89; 55.19 % female; 73.22 % non-Hispanic; 51.37 % White). Data consisted of parent-reported measures collected at baseline, post-treatment, and 12-month follow-up from a randomized control trial (RCT) comparing Stepped Care CBT for Children after Trauma and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Correlational, mediation, and hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to test the interrelationships among FA, child PTSS, and child functional impairment.

RESULTS

FA was significantly, positively associated with total PTSS and functional impairment at baseline. Baseline FA partially mediated the relationship between baseline total PTSS and baseline functional impairment. Lastly, greater pre- to post-treatment changes in FA were mostly associated with relevant outcome variables at post-treatment and 12-month follow-up.

LIMITATIONS

Study limitations include use of a single informant, cross-sectional data analysis, lack of differentiation among trauma types, concerns regarding generalizability.

CONCLUSION

Assessing FA may be a helpful tool in better understanding how child PTSS relates to functional impairment following exposure to trauma. This study is clinically relevant it offers insight on the relationship among FA, PTSS, and functional impairment for families involved in trauma treatment.

A multisystem, dimensional interplay of assets versus adversities: Revised benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) in the context of childhood maltreatment, threat, and deprivation

This study expanded the Benevolent Childhood Experiences scale (termed the "BCEs-Original" scale) with 10 new multisystem items and identified a subset of items (termed the "BCEs-Revised" scale) that are systematically less commonly reported across samples. Total BCEs-Revised scores were tested against total BCEs-Original scores and three dimensions of childhood adversity (maltreatment, threat, and deprivation) as predictors of young adulthood mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms). Hypotheses expected stronger inverse associations of BCEs-Revised scores than BCEs-Original scores with all mental health problems. Participants were 1,746 U.S. young adults (M = 26.6 years, SD = 4.7, range = 19-35 years; 55.3% female, 42.4% male, 2.3% gender non-conforming; 67.0% White, 10.3% Asian, 8.6% Black, 8.4% Latine, 5.7% other) who completed a 20-item BCEs scale and well-validated instruments on childhood adversities and mental health problems. Compared to BCEs-Original scores, BCEs-Revised scores were significantly more strongly inversely associated with all mental health outcomes. Compared to childhood threat and deprivation, maltreatment was significantly more strongly associated with PTSD symptoms. After controlling for current depression symptoms, BCEs-Revised scores interacted with maltreatment to predict PTSD symptoms. Maltreatment and BCEs-Revised scores also influenced PTSD symptoms in person-oriented analyses. The BCEs-Revised scale has strong psychometric properties and unique strengths in research and practice. Implications for multisystem resilience are discussed.

Associations of positive childhood experiences with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating among college students

Childhood experiences encompass both adverse and positive childhood events. Adverse childhood experiences are positively associated with binge-eating disorder characteristics and inversely associated with intuitive eating in adults. However, to what extent positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are associated with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating remains unclear. This study examined the associations of cumulative and individual PCEs with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating among college students. Data were collected from 828 college students in 2022 (54.5% female, Mage 20.9 ± 2.6 years). PCEs were assessed using the Benevolent Childhood Experiences scale. Binge-eating disorder characteristics were assessed with the Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns-5. Intuitive eating was assessed with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2. Associations of PCEs with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating were examined using modified Poisson regressions and linear regressions. PCEs were cumulatively associated with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating (p for trend <.05). College students in the low PCEs category (0-4 PCEs) had 1.37-1.92 times the prevalence of binge-eating disorder characteristics and had 3.89 points lower intuitive eating score than those in the high PCEs category (9-10 PCEs). Among the individual PCEs, intrapersonal PCE (i.e., feeling comfortable with oneself during childhood) was associated with both a lower prevalence of binge-eating disorder characteristics (aPR = 0.56-0.76) and a higher score of intuitive eating (adjusted β = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.28-2.46) after adjustment for sociodemographic variables. Findings from this study suggest that PCEs may play a role in eating behaviors of college students. Future studies with nationally representative samples should prospectively examine associations of PCEs with binge-eating disorder characteristics and intuitive eating and explore the underlying mechanisms of the associations between PCEs and eating behaviors.

Enhancing attachment-based aspects of PCIT for young children with a history of maltreatment

Disruptive behavior difficulties, such as aggression, non-compliance, and emotional outbursts, are common among children exposed to maltreatment. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an effective parenting intervention for addressing child behavior difficulties, however, treatment retention and engagement among parents remain a concern in the clinical setting. This paper describes how the delivery of an intervention that teaches attachment theory concepts (Circle of Security-Parenting, COS-P) prior to PCIT can increase engagement and retention among parents of maltreated children and inform new coaching practices. A detailed description of how to extend and integrate COS-P concepts with PCIT for maltreated families using specific strategies is provided. Recommendations, limitations, and next steps for research are presented.

Maternal childhood maltreatment trauma resolution: Development of a novel narrative coding measure and implications for intergenerational parenting processes

Child maltreatment constitutes a significant environmental risk for children, with carryover effects into future generations. There is a need to characterize protective factors that may buffer against the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment. The current study addresses this gap through two primary aims: 1) the development and validation of a novel measure assessing resolution of maternal childhood maltreatment trauma using narrative coding methods and 2) the evaluation of maternal maltreatment trauma resolution as a buffering factor that may moderate associations between maternal neglect histories and sensitive parenting of offspring. Results of reliability analyses from this sample of 210 diverse, low-income mothers suggest the novel childhood maltreatment trauma resolution measure is highly reliable. Furthermore, results highlight the generalizability, criterion validity, and concurrent and predictive validity of the measure. Results from cross-sectional analyses show that trauma resolution moderates associations between maternal physical neglect histories and sensitive parenting, such that under high maternal trauma resolution, there is no longer a negative association between neglect histories and sensitive parenting. Results from longitudinal analyses also show a protective effect of maternal trauma resolution, such that trauma resolution has a protective-enhancing effect on maternal sensitivity. Implications for research and clinical practice with families are discussed.

Positive Childhood Experiences and Chronic Pain Among Children and Adolescents in the United States

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are associated with better mental and physical health outcomes and moderate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, knowledge of the associations between PCEs and childhood chronic pain is limited. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 2019 to 2020 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) to evaluate associations between PCEs and childhood chronic pain. Parents of 47,514 children ages 6 to 17 years old reported on their child's exposure to 7 PCEs and 9 ACEs. Associations between PCEs and chronic pain were evaluated using weighted, multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographic factors. We found that PCEs had dose-dependent associations with pediatric chronic pain; children exposed to higher numbers of PCEs (5-7 PCEs) had the lowest reported rate of chronic pain (7.1%), while children exposed to 2 or fewer PCEs had the highest rate of chronic pain (14.7%). The adjusted analysis confirmed that children experiencing 5 to 7 PCEs had significantly lower odds of chronic pain relative to children experiencing 0 to 2 PCEs (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): .47, 95% confidence interval (CI): .39-.61, P < .0001). PCEs moderated associations between ACEs and chronic pain: among children reporting 2 or more ACEs, those reporting 5 to 7 PCEs were significantly less likely to report chronic pain as compared to children only reporting 0 to 2 PCEs (aOR: .64, 95%CI: .45-.89, P = .009). In conclusion, children with greater PCEs exposure had lower prevalence rates of chronic pain. Furthermore, PCEs was associated with reduced prevalence of chronic pain among children exposed to ACEs. PERSPECTIVE: This article estimates associations between survey-measured PCEs and pediatric chronic pain among children in the United States. Promoting PCEs could improve pediatric pain outcomes.

Scales and Interventions for Resilience among Treatment-Seeking Patients with Depression: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Resilience is an ability of an individual to effectively adjust and thrive in adverse stressful conditions. Resilience has protective and compensatory effects against depression. Evaluating resilience clinically and modifying it among patients with depression hugely impacts their prognosis. We aimed to explore different clinical scales for measuring resilience as well as interventions used with an intent to improve resilience among patients with depression.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted by searching PubMed central, Biomed central, and google scholar, using relevant MeSH keywords. The population of interest were the patients who were clinically diagnosed with Bipolar or Unipolar Depression and the population were not restricted to any country. Clinical scales for evaluation and interventions for resilience among patients with depression were set as an outcome of the study. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), Quasi-experimental studies, observational studies, and narrative reviews were considered relevant research designs for extraction.

Results

A total of 8689 articles were identified and 13 articles were included in the final review, which yielded five scales that have been identified and have been used to evaluate resilience among the patients who are clinically diagnosed with depression and six different interventions for building resilience among patients with depression.

Conclusion

Resilience-building interventions will not only act as a preventive measure against depression but also help in promoting recovery and sustaining remission after a depressive episode. Clinical evaluation of resilience and management will significantly support boosting emotional experience.

Patterns of Mother, Father, and Peer Attachment Quality as Moderators of Child Maltreatment Risk for Depression and PTSD Symptoms in Adolescent Females

Child maltreatment (CM) is a robust risk factor for adolescent depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Quality attachment relationships have been posited as a protective factor but findings are equivocal and studies have not adequately considered the complex network of interpersonal relationships that adolescents rely on. The current study applied a person-centered approach to (a) identify subgroups of adolescent females characterized by distinct patterns of attachment quality with peers, fathers, and mothers and (b) determine if the effect of maltreatment on depressive and PTSD symptoms varied as a function of distinct patterns of attachment quality. Data came from a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 464 racially diverse and adolescent females designed to examine the developmental sequelae of substantiated CM (260 maltreated and 204 demographically matched, nonmaltreated comparisons). Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed four profiles of attachment characterized by: (a) above-average attachment quality across all three relationships (N = 207, 44.6%); (b) below-average quality with father and friends and above-average quality with mothers (N = 128, 27.6%); (c) below-average quality across all three relationships (N = 106, 22.9%); and (d) very low-(-1 SD) quality with mothers and above-average quality with fathers and friends (N = 23, 5.0%). Moderation models revealed that cumulative maltreatment exposure resulted in greater adolescent depressive symptoms only for those with a profile of attachment consisting of very low-quality maternal attachment and high-quality father and friend attachments. Profiles did not significantly moderate the effect of maltreatment on PTSD symptoms. Results identify subgroups of maltreatment survivors most vulnerable to the development of depression in adolescence. Such groups should be targets for the provision of finite clinical resources with clinical interventions that seek to promote healthy maternal attachment relationships to mitigate the impact of maltreatment on depression.

Childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese college students: The moderating roles of social phobia and perceived family economic status

BACKGROUND

Non-suicidal self-injury is a heavy burden on affected college students with rippling effects throughout their lives. Childhood maltreatment is strongly associated with non-suicidal self-injury among college students. However, it remains unclear whether perceived family economic status and social phobia exert significant moderating effects on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the perceived family economic status and social phobia moderating the association between childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

This study used data (N = 5297) from two local medical colleges in Anhui province, China.

METHODS

Respondents completed questionnaires on childhood maltreatment, non-suicidal self-injury, social phobia and perceived family economic status online. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation followed by multiple moderation models.

RESULTS

The association between childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury was moderated by social phobia (β = 0.03, p < 0.05) and perceived family economic status (β = -0.30, p < 0.05). When considered together, both factors were found to play synergistic roles in the association between childhood maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury in college students (β = 0.08, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight that experience of childhood maltreatment, elevated social phobia, and low perceived family economic status increase the risk of non-suicidal self-injury. Future researches are recommended to conduct interventions from a more holistic perspective and integrate perceived family economic status as a relevant factor along with social phobia in coping with non-suicidal self-injury in college students.

Sleep ecology, objective sleep characteristics and behavior problems in preschoolers referred to child protection services: An exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Exposure to environmental risk factors increases the negative impact maltreatment has on children's development. Sleep ecology (i.e., sleep hygiene and home sleeping conditions) can be one of these factors. Poor sleep hygiene and suboptimal home sleeping conditions can alter sleep characteristics, which in turn, may lead to behavior problems (BPs), highly prevalent in maltreated preschoolers.

OBJECTIVES

Describe sleep ecology in maltreated preschoolers and explore associations between their sleep ecology, objective sleep characteristics and BPs.

METHOD

Parents (n = 22) completed the Children's Sleep Hygiene Scale (CSHS), and a sleep environment questionnaire to document sleep ecology. Children wore an actigraph to record objective sleep characteristics. Parents completed the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children (BASC-2) to assess children's BPs. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Most of the parents (90.5 %) reported adequate sleep hygiene. However, 20 parents (95.2 %) reported suboptimal home sleeping conditions. Better physiological and overall sleep hygiene were related to earlier sleep onset. Better emotional sleep hygiene was associated with shorter nighttime awakenings and better sleep efficiency. Later sleep onset was associated with lower anxiety, and longer 24-hour sleep duration with higher somatization. Better physiological sleep hygiene was associated with less depression, and better emotional sleep hygiene with less hyperactivity.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that sleep hygiene could be associated with maltreated preschoolers' sleep characteristics and BPs, and that their home sleeping conditions may be of concern. Associations between sleep ecology, objective sleep characteristics and BPs deserve to be better understood, and further explored.

Elements of Control Differentiate Associations Between Childhood Emotional Abuse and Anxiety Symptoms

Among adolescents experiencing childhood maltreatment, there exists wide variability regarding the development and maintenance of anxious symptoms. Existing research has identified the protective role of effortful control against childhood anxiety (Raines et al. in Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 2021). The current study aimed to uncover how distinct elements of effortful control differentially diminish or intensify anxiety symptoms arising from a perceived lack of control following childhood emotional abuse (CEA). 467 college student participants provided reports of their experience with childhood emotional abuse, locus of control, anxiety symptoms, and effortful control via in-person surveys. We explored three categories of effortful control: inhibitory control (the capacity to suppress inappropriate behavior), attentional control (the capacity to focus or shift attention), and activational control (the capacity to perform an action despite a strong tendency to avoid). Consistent with our hypotheses, results revealed that CEA predicted increased anxiety symptoms. External LOC significantly mediated the relationship between CEA and anxiety. When effortful control was broken down into its component elements, higher inhibitory control acted as a protective factor for locus of control driven anxiety, whereas higher levels of activational control acted as a risk factor. Attentional control was not a significant moderator. These findings stress the importance of identifying risk and protective factors that contribute to resilience, and may aid in the development of interventions targeted to specific aspects of effortful control.

Contextualizing Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Intersections of Individual and Community Adversity

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic childhood events that can undermine youth development, and are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and risk-taking behaviors in adulthood. ACEs are preventable, yet effective response strategies require comprehensive conceptualization and measurement of adversity. Although typically measured as individual experiences in the family and home (e.g., abuse, neglect), adversity also exists outside the home, in the many contexts in which youth development unfolds (e.g., communities, neighborhoods). Yet, such contexts and experiences are often absent in ACEs research. Using data from a nationally representative youth sample, this study addresses that gap, advancing a measure that contextualizes individual-level ACEs within social and structural domains of community-level adversity. Among 13,267 youth (mean age = 15.25 [range 12-18]; 51% female; 71% White; 13% Black; 10% Hispanic; 3% Asian; 2% American Indian/Multiracial), 61% and 73% were exposed to at least one individual and community ACE, respectively, while 15% of youth reported severe individual ACE exposure (≥3 ACEs) and 20% were exposed to severe (≥3) community ACEs. All ACE exposures were associated with problem behaviors later in adolescence, but youth reporting both severe individual and community ACEs were especially at high risk for later violence, delinquency, and other health-risk behaviors. These findings highlight that community adversity exacerbates the damaging effects of individual/family adversity and thus should be addressed in efforts to prevent ACEs and reduce their long-term harm.

Leveraging Administrative Data to Better Understand and Address Child Maltreatment: A Scoping Review of Data Linkage Studies

BACKGROUND

This scoping review aimed to overview studies that used administrative data linkage in the context of child maltreatment to improve our understanding of the value that data linkage may confer for policy, practice, and research.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ERIC electronic databases in June 2019 and May 2020 for studies that linked two or more datasets (at least one of which was administrative in nature) to study child maltreatment. We report findings with numerical and narrative summary.

RESULTS

We included 121 studies, mainly from the United States or Australia and published in the past decade. Data came primarily from social services and health sectors, and linkage processes and data quality were often not described in sufficient detail to align with current reporting guidelines. Most studies were descriptive in nature and research questions addressed fell under eight themes: descriptive epidemiology, risk factors, outcomes, intergenerational transmission, predictive modelling, intervention/service evaluation, multi-sector involvement, and methodological considerations/advancements.

CONCLUSIONS

Included studies demonstrated the wide variety of ways in which data linkage can contribute to the public health response to child maltreatment. However, how research using linked data can be translated into effective service development and monitoring, or targeting of interventions, is underexplored in terms of privacy protection, ethics and governance, data quality, and evidence of effectiveness.

Testing the Ecophenotype Model: Cortical Structure Alterations in Conduct Disorder With Versus Without Childhood Maltreatment

BACKGROUND

Childhood maltreatment is common in youths with conduct disorder (CD), and both CD and maltreatment have been linked to neuroanatomical alterations. Nonetheless, our understanding of the contribution of maltreatment to the neuroanatomical alterations observed in CD remains limited. We tested the applicability of the ecophenotype model to CD, which holds that maltreatment-related psychopathology is (neurobiologically) distinct from psychopathology without maltreatment.

METHODS

Surface-based morphometry was used to investigate cortical volume, thickness, surface area, and gyrification in a mixed-sex sample of participants with CD (n = 114) and healthy control subjects (HCs) (n = 146), ages 9 to 18 years. Using vertexwise general linear models adjusted for sex, age, total intracranial volume, and site, the control group was compared with the overall CD group and the CD subgroups with (n = 49) versus without (n = 65) maltreatment (assessed by the Children's Bad Experiences interview). These subgroups were also directly compared.

RESULTS

The overall CD group showed lower cortical thickness in the right inferior frontal gyrus. CD youths with a history of maltreatment showed more widespread structural alterations relative to HCs, comprising lower thickness, volume, and gyrification in inferior and middle frontal regions. Conversely, CD youths with no history of maltreatment only showed greater left superior temporal gyrus folding relative to HCs. When contrasting the CD subgroups, those with maltreatment displayed lower right superior temporal gyrus volume, right precentral gyrus surface area, and gyrification in frontal, temporal, and parietal regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with the ecophenotype model, findings indicated that CD youths with versus without maltreatment differ neurobiologically. This highlights the importance of considering maltreatment history in neuroimaging studies of CD and other disorders.

The role of positive childhood experiences in the link between childhood maltreatment and affective lability in a sample of incarcerated men and women

BACKGROUND

Individuals with a history of child maltreatment (CM) tend to show high affective lability (AL) and criminal behavior. However, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may act as a protective factor even in the presence of child maltreatment.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between CM, PCEs, and AL in adulthood, identify the predictors of AL and analyze the moderating role of PCEs in the relationship between CM and AL in a sample of 424 incarcerated men (n = 343) and women (n = 81), aged between 18 and 73 years (M = 37.88).

METHODS

Participants responded to an online protocol consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale (BCEs), and the Affective Lability Scale - Short Version (ALS-18).

RESULTS

CM was positively associated with AL and negatively associated with PCEs, and PCEs are negatively associated with AL. Regression analyses, after controlling for age, sex, and education, confirmed the role of PCEs on AL, above and beyond CM. However, moderation analysis showed that PCEs did not moderate the relationship between CM and AL for either men or women.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the complexity of human development and behavior from early childhood into adulthood. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of PCEs in the relationship between ACEs and AL among inmates in order to develop more appropriate prevention and intervention programs.

Association between child maltreatment and depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood: The mediating and moderating roles of DNA methylation

Prospective studies suggest that child maltreatment substantially increases the risk for depression in adulthood. However, the mechanisms underlying this association require further elucidation. In recent years, DNA methylation has emerged as a potential mechanism by which maltreatment experiences (a) could partly explain the emergence or aggravation of depressive symptoms (i.e., mediation) and/or (b) could increase (or decrease) the risk for depressive symptoms (i.e., moderation). The present study tested whether the methylation levels of nine candidate genes mediated and/or moderated the association between maltreatment experiences in childhood and depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood. The sample comprised 156 men aged between 18 and 35 years. Maltreatment experiences and depressive symptoms were assessed retrospectively using self-reported questionnaires. Methylation levels of nine candidate genes (COMT, FKBP5, IL6, IL10, MAOA, NR3C1, OXTR, SLC6A3 and SLC6A4), previously reported to be sensitive to early-life stress, were quantified from saliva samples. Maltreatment experiences in childhood were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood. Both maltreatment experiences and depressive symptoms were associated with the methylation levels of two genomic sites, which cumulatively, but not individually, explained 16% of the association between maltreatment experiences in childhood and depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood. Moreover, maltreatment experiences in childhood interacted with the methylation levels of fourteen genomic sites, which cumulatively, but not individually, modulated the level of depressive symptoms in young male adults who were maltreated as children. However, none of these effects survived multiple testing correction. These findings bring attention to the cumulative effects of DNA methylation measured in several candidate genes on the risk of reporting depressive symptoms following maltreatment experiences in childhood. Nonetheless, future studies need to clarify the robustness of these putative cumulative effects in larger samples and longitudinal cohorts.

Negative Perceptions of Peer Relationships as Mechanisms in the Association Between Maltreatment Timing and the Development of Psychopathology

Despite findings that developmental timing of maltreatment is a critical factor in predicting subsequent outcomes, children's developmental stage is understudied in maltreatment research. Moreover, childhood maltreatment is associated with the development of maladaptive peer relationships and psychopathology, with social cognition identified as a process underlying this risk. The current study utilizes structural equation modeling to examine the impact of developmental timing of maltreatment (i.e., infancy through preschool versus elementary and middle school years) on psychopathology via negative perceptions of peer relationships. Multi-informant methods were used to assess 680 socioeconomically disadvantaged children. Results did not support differential effects of early versus later maltreatment on children's internalizing symptomatology or disruptive behavior, but indicated that chronic maltreatment, relative to episodic maltreatment, has more severe consequences for children's internalizing symptomatology. Results further support the mediating role of children's perceptions of relationships in the effect of maltreatment on negative developmental outcomes.

Everyday Conflict in Families at Risk for Violence Exposure: Examining Unique, Bidirectional Associations with Children's Anxious- and Withdrawn-Depressed Symptoms

Exposure to family conflict during childhood increases risk for the development of anxiety and mood problems, though the potential for bidirectionality in this association remains unknown. It is also unclear whether nonviolent family conflict is related to children's anxious- and withdrawn-depressive symptoms within high-risk family contexts, independent of more severe events such as children's exposure to violent victimization. Participants included 1,281 children and their caregivers identified as being at high risk for family violence, interviewed prospectively at ages 6, 8, and 10 about family conflict, children's anxious- and withdrawn-depressive behaviors, and children's victimization experiences. After controlling for cumulative victimization prior to and between each time point, significant cross-lagged, bidirectional associations were identified between family conflict and children's anxious- and withdrawn-depressive symptoms across ages 6 and 8, but not across ages 8 and 10. Invariance testing revealed no differences in model fit between boys and girls and minimal differences depending on whether families were reported for maltreatment prior to recruitment. Findings are partially supportive of a conceptualization of the family-child relationship that is reciprocal, while highlighting the role of daily negative familial interactions, over and above experiences of victimization, in predicting anxious- and withdrawn-depressed symptoms in early and middle childhood.

Childhood trauma and suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents: The mediating effects of character strengths and perceived stress

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Prior research has demonstrated that childhood trauma can increase adolescents' suicidal ideation, and perceived stress plays a mediating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and adolescents' suicidal ideation. Character strengths, which are trait-like positive personality characteristics, have also been found to be closely related to decreased stress and suicidal ideation. However, it is unclear whether character strengths act as a transfer mechanism that links childhood traumatic experiences with perceived stress and eventually suicidal ideation. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This study found that character strengths and perceived stress serially mediated the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation. Specifically, childhood trauma was associated with inferior character strengths, and the impaired character strengths further triggered high perceived stress, which was finally linked to a heightened risk of suicidal ideation. This study provided important theoretical implications for preventing suicidal risk among adolescents who are exposed to traumatic events during childhood. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This study highlighted the roles of character strengths and perceived stress in the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and suicidal ideation, which provided suggestions for designing nursing interventions to reduce adolescents' suicidal ideation, especially for those with traumatic childhood experiences. In addition to family nursing, school-based regular monitoring and interventions of character strengths and perceived stress are necessary. ABSTRACT: Aim This study sought to examine the mediating effects of character strengths and perceived stress on the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation among adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 1069 Chinese adolescents. The Chinese versions of the Suicidal Ideation Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale and Character Scale for Adolescents were used to assess adolescents' suicidal ideation, childhood trauma, perceived stress and character strengths. Results The findings showed that childhood trauma influenced suicidal ideation directly and indirectly via perceived stress. Moreover, character strengths and perceived stress serially mediated the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation, implying that childhood trauma was associated with inferior character strengths, and the impaired character strengths further triggered high perceived stress, which was finally linked to a heightened risk of suicidal ideation. Conclusions This study highlighted the joint contribution of childhood trauma, character strengths and perceived stress to suicidal ideation, providing theoretical and practical implications to guide mental health nurses to reduce the suicide risk among adolescents. Implications for Practice These findings highlighted the importance of developing character strengths and stress-coping strategies. Family nursing and school-based regular monitoring and interventions of character strengths and perceived stress are necessary among adolescents who exposed to a high level of childhood trauma experiences to reduce their suicidal ideation and foster mental health.

Childcare Subsidy Enrollment Income Generosity and Child Maltreatment

In the United States, childcare subsidies are available to low-income working parents to assist with the cost of childcare. The subsidies are provided as block grants to states, which allows for a great deal of flexibility in the specific policies guiding their distribution. Prior research has found a protective link between childcare subsidies and child maltreatment, but the variations in policies have been much less explored. The current study used longitudinal administrative child welfare data from 10 years (2009-2019) linked with state policies regarding the income eligibility requirements of states to examine the impact of these policies on child abuse and neglect among young children (0-5); early school-age children (6-12), and older children (13-17). Using multiple regression and controlling for state demographic characteristics, the study found that more generous policies surrounding income eligibility were related to lower rates of child abuse and neglect investigations at the state level.

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Mental Health Consequences and Risk Behaviors in Women and Men in Chile

Studies conducted worldwide indicate that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are among the most intense and frequent sources of stress, considerably influencing mental and physical health while also resulting in risk behaviors in adulthood.

METHODOLOGY

We used data from the Pilot National Survey of Adversity and Sexual Abuse in Childhood (2020), conducted by CUIDA UC, which comprises the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire [ACE-IQ] (Adapted). The cross-sectional methodology used made it possible to directly calculate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in the population sampled, at a single point in time. We performed a bivariate and univariate descriptive analysis, a correlation analysis, and a multivariate analysis, all of which will be detailed in the section entitled "General Data Analysis Procedure".

RESULTS

We found equally high rates of adverse childhood experiences in men and women, with community violence exhibiting the highest prevalence. We found significant low- to moderate-sized associations between the multiple types of ACEs considered and mental health problems, substance use problems, criminal behaviors, and intrafamily violence (IFV), which differed between men and women. Significant correlations were detected between the ACE score and mental health, substance use, criminal behaviors, and IFV in both men and women. Importantly, ACEs were found to be predictors of all of these variables, with differences observed between men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly all participants reported having had at least one ACE and more than half reported had four or more ACEs. Those who had had four or more ACEs were more likely to report problems throughout their life. Having an ACE of any type was found to be a better predictor of mental health problems and IFV in men than in women and might be a stronger risk factor for substance use and criminal behaviors in women than in men.

Bidirectional associations between family conflict and child behavior problems in families at risk for maltreatment

BACKGROUND

Children's exposure to family conflict is associated with the development of behavior problems. However, it remains unclear whether this association (1) functions bidirectionally and (2) exists independent of more severe forms of violent victimization.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to examine bidirectional and transactional associations between family conflict and children's behavioral problems, controlling for time-varying violent victimization experiences. Invariance testing examined whether these models differed by gender and by maltreatment status prior to initial recruitment.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Participants were caregiver-child dyads identified prospectively as being at risk for maltreatment and family violence exposure prior to age four (N = 1281; 51.4 % female; 74.6 % persons of color).

METHODS

Caregivers were interviewed prospectively about family conflict, children's aggressive and delinquent behavior, and children's victimization experiences at child ages 6, 8, and 10.

RESULTS

After controlling for prior victimization, significant cross-lagged bidirectional associations were identified between family conflict and child behavior problems. Indirect effects from age 6 to age 10 externalizing problems through age 8 family conflict were not supported. Several bidirectional paths were stronger among boys than girls. Results revealed little evidence for moderation by prerecruitment maltreatment status.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support a conceptualization of the family-child relationship that is reciprocal in nature and highlight the importance of non-violent, everyday negative family processes. Interventions aiming to improve child behavior problems by targeting severely dysfunctional family processes should also address non-violent, lower-level patterns of negative family interactions, such as everyday instances of blame, criticism, nonacceptance, and favoritism.

The Role of Negative Parental Influences and Criminal Thinking in Juvenile Offending Behaviors

Previous research has established that juveniles who experience negative parental influence are more likely to engage in problem and offending behavior. Less attention has been given to the possibility that criminal thinking styles might partially explain this relationship. This study examined the negative parental influences and criminal thinking styles of 1,354 juvenile offenders to establish that both negative parental influences and criminal thinking are significantly associated with juvenile problem and offending behavior. Further, the analysis showed that juvenile criminal thinking (proactive, reactive, and general) might mediate the relationship between negative parental influences and problem behavior. Implications for such findings are discussed.

Parent-Child Relationship Quality, Childhood Maltreatment, and Psychological Symptoms in Chinese Adolescent

This study aimed to examine the association between childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationship quality with psychological symptoms and to explore the moderating role of parent-child relationship quality in the association between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms among adolescents. It also probed to the role of gender differences in this effect. A representative sample of 14,500 middle school students in China were asked to complete a standard questionnaire on the details of childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationship quality, and psychological symptoms. All data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. The PROCESS program was used to analyze whether parent-child relationship quality moderated the link between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms. The analyses revealed significant correlations between childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationship quality, and psychological symptoms (p < .001). Specifically, paternal relationship quality moderated the association between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms in the total sample (B = -0.01, p < .05) and the subgroup of girls (B = -0.01, p < .05), while maternal relationship quality moderated only the association between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms in the subgroup of boys (B = -0.01, p < .05). As the findings indicate, priority should be given to the quality of parent-child relationship and gender-specific methods employed to effectively reduce the psychological symptoms of adolescents with a history of childhood maltreatment.

How Influential are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Youths?: Analyzing the Immediate and Lagged Effect of ACEs on Deviant Behaviors

Although the effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on antisocial behaviors is well established in the literature, limited research, if any, has analyzed the effect that ACEs have on behaviors at two different times. Limited research also has analyzed the effect that specific ACEs have on deviant behaviors after statistically controlling for respondents' protective factors. This study expands the literature in this area by analyzing in a sample of 555 adolescents the immediate and lagged effect that individual ACEs, and exposure to a number of ACEs, have on three deviant behaviors after controlling for respondents' protective factors not previously examined in ACEs studies. Results obtained from multivariate logistic regression models revealed that stealing things was predicted by being hit hard, being sexually molested, and having lived with a depressed or suicidal individual; and receiving threats over the internet predicted physical fights. Only being hit hard and living with an alcoholic had a lagged effect on smoking marijuana. Results also showed that the protective factors of school connection, anger management skills, and parental supervision reduced the effect of ACEs on the behaviors analyzed. Research, theory, and policy implications are discussed.

JK, Vardhanan YS. Exploration of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Health Risk Behaviors (HRBs) in Male Recidivist Violent Offenders: Indian Scenario

Aggression and violent behavior are widespread in the world and cause serious threats to public safety. Violent criminal recidivism rates remain very high among certain groups of offenders. In India, the quantum of total violent crimes is continuously increasing from 2009 to 2019. Adverse childhood experiences can affect the development of a child in many ways, leading to highly maladaptive behaviors, such as serious, violent, and chronic (SVC) delinquency. This study was done as a case-control method among recidivist violent offenders and controls to examine the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on violent criminality. The questionnaire included the World Health Organization Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE- IQ) and standardized measures of Health Risk Behaviors (HRBs). Thirteen categories of adverse childhood experiences of the recidivist violent offenders and controls were measured. Bivariate analysis showed that there was a significant relation (p < 0.001) between ACEs and violent criminality in cases (M = 72.14, SD = 6.80, N = 35) and controls (M = 44.91, SD = 5.39, N = 32). The largest correlation was found between collective violence and household violence (r = 0.813). Bivariate correlation analyses were highly significant between total ACE score and criminality (r (35) = 0.927, p < 0.001). The results reveal that household violence, community violence and collective violence experienced by recidivist violent offenders were nearly double the rate of the control group. Findings emphasize the need for evaluations of ACEs in recidivist offenders for better rehabilitation strategies and also the necessity for preventive efforts at all levels.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-021-00434-1.

Family Aggression Screening Tool (FAST): Factor structure and psychometric properties of subscales

BACKGROUND

The Family Aggression Screening Tool (FAST) is an instrument to screen for experiences of maltreatment using primarily pictorial representations, including direct victimisation and exposure to intimate partner violence. The initial psychometric properties of the FAST were reported in the original research in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to replicate and to extend the evaluation of the psychometric properties of FAST in Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Data consisted of 648 youth aged 11 to 17 years from public schools in Brazil.

METHOD

We employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and exploratory graphical analysis (EGA). Concurrent validity was supported by strong correlations between the FAST's emotional and physical victimisation subscales and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) emotional and physical abuse subscales.

RESULTS

CFA resulted in a solution including second and first order factors, resembling the original structure. FAST's reliability was assessed both through internal consistency and test-retest, showing favorable coefficients.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that FAST has good psychometric properties for the Brazilian population with respect to both its validity and reliability.

Perspective Taking Ability in Psychologically Maltreated Children: A Protective Factor in Peer Social Adjustment

Perspective taking is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct characterized by three components: cognitive, affective, and visual. The experience of psychological maltreatment impairs the child's emotional competence; in particular, maltreated children present difficulty in understanding and regulating emotions and in social understanding ability. In addition, the literature contains several contributions that highlight maladaptive behaviors of children with a history of maltreatment in peer interactions in the school context. Perspective taking ability has rarely been studied in maltreated children and the existing studies have produced different and often conflicting results that require further insights. On the grounds of these premises, the main objective of the present research is to investigate perspective taking ability in preschool children from maltreating and non-maltreating family contexts and its role in social adjustment, in terms of prosocial and aggressive behavior toward peers inside the kindergarten. A second objective is to verify the effectiveness of a training aimed to promote perspective taking ability in victims of psychological maltreatment. This research, organized into two separate studies, involved 249 preschool children: 206 children from non-maltreating family contexts and 43 brought up in psychologically maltreating families. Perspective taking was measured via the administration of several tests, and prosocial behavior and aggressiveness were observed via non-participant observations in the school context. The training involved maltreated children in small-group meetings based on familiar and appealing activities within the mother-child community. The overall results show that children's perspective taking ability, in particular the affective perspective taking, contributed to social adjustment. In fact, greater affective perspective taking ability was correlated to a higher frequency of prosocial behaviors toward peers and minor frequency of aggressiveness. Finally, the results of the training (pre/post-test comparison) showed an increase in perspective taking, especially in the affective dimension, and a consequent increase in prosocial behaviors and a decrease in aggressive ones. Therefore, the affective perspective taking ability seems to represent a very significant protective factor, which should be focused and strengthened in order to improve the social adaptation of preschool children who are victims of psychological abuse.

The relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation, the mediating role of identification of all humanity, indifference and loneliness

BACKGROUND

Research shows that childhood trauma has a detrimental impact on an individual's health, including suicidal ideation. In order to intervene with suicidal ideation, it is necessary to study the impact of childhood trauma on emotional and social functioning. This study explored the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation from the perspectives of indifference, identification with all humanity, and loneliness.

METHODS

A total number of 8,452 college students completed the study. Childhood trauma was measured by the short form of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF). The Identification With All Humanity scale (IWAH) was used to measure individual's ability to identify or not identify with humanity. For indifference, we used the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits, and Loneliness was assessed by the Loneliness Scale. The relationship of indifference, identification with all humanity, and loneliness were explored to further understand the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation's correlations, regression analysis, and path analysis were employed for data analysis.

RESULTS

Childhood trauma was positively correlated with indifference, loneliness, and suicidal ideation, and negatively correlated with identification with all humanity (r = -0.140∼0.335, p < .001). Suicidal ideation was positively correlated with indifference and loneliness, and negatively correlated with identification with all humanity (r = -0.082∼0.260, p < .001). The results indicated that childhood trauma leads to indifference, which increases loneliness, and results in suicidal ideation (β = 0.073∼0.335, p < 0.001). If an individual with childhood trauma were to gain more recognition from social groups, this would reduce their loneliness and suicidal ideation (β = -0.125∼0.228, p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Individuals with childhood trauma were more likely to display apathy, including non-emotional behavior. This makes individuals lonelier and may increase suicidal ideation. However, if individuals are further recognized by others and social groups within their environment it is possible to intervene in this process.

Attachment as a Moderator in the Relation Between Child Maltreatment and Symptoms of Depression

Experiencing child maltreatment is a risk factor for later psychopathology; however, not all survivors of child maltreatment go on to develop mental health diagnoses. There are likely important risk factors that act as moderators interacting with child maltreatment to contribute to the development of psychopathology. The present study examined the attachment dimensions of anxiety and avoidance as potential moderators in the association between child maltreatment and depressive symptomatology in a sample of college students. An attachment style high in anxiety or avoidance was expected to exacerbate the effect of child maltreatment on depressive symptomatology across both primary and secondary caregiver attachment relationships. This study was conducted at a private university in the northeastern United States in a sample of college students (N = 203; 52% male; M_age = 19.85, SD_age = 2.19). Participants completed online measures of attachment, current mood symptoms, and demographic information. Two moderation models were tested, one for attachment to primary caregivers and one for attachment to secondary caregivers. Anxious attachment to primary caregivers moderated the relationship between child maltreatment and depressive symptoms (B = -0.16, p < .01, R² =.44). However, moderation was not significant in the secondary caregiver attachment relationship. Maladaptive attachment styles, as well as child maltreatment itself, may result in disruptions in the development of positive internal working models of the self and others and adaptive emotion regulation. In cases of child maltreatment, interventions focused on the parent-child attachment relationship may have long-lasting effects and implications for the child's future mental health. This research highlights important areas of intervention in cases of child maltreatment as well as important differences in the anxiety and avoidance dimensions of attachment.

Preventing maltreatment in institutional care: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in East Africa

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Interaction Competencies with Children prevents maltreatment in institutional care.

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Feasibility of intervention despite low resources and heterogeneity of institutions.

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Participation in intervention significantly reduced maltreatment of orphans.

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Positive attitudes towards violence declined through intervention participation.

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Participation in intervention significantly increased childcare knowledge.

An increasing number of orphans in low- and middle-income countries are living in institutional care facilities where they experience poor quality of care and ongoing maltreatment. To prevent maltreatment, we tested the effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention Interaction Competencies with Children – for Caregivers (ICC-C). In a two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial, 203 caregivers (65.5% female, M_age = 36.63 years, SD_age = 12.26) and 356 children (46.1% female, M_age = 9.43 years, SD_age = 1.93) from 24 orphanages in Dar es salaam (Tanzania) participated from August to October 2018 (Baseline) and March to April 2019 (Follow-Up). Orphanages were assigned to the intervention or waitlist-group. Caregivers in the intervention group received the ICC-C intervention to prevent maltreatment through focusing on non-violent caregiving strategies. The primary outcome was the change in self-reported maltreatment by caregivers (Conflict Tactics Scale). Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594617, 20 July 2018. Participation in the intervention resulted in a significant reduction in reported maltreatment (f² = 0.153), a decrease of positive attitudes toward violent discipline (f² = 0.248), and an increased level of childcare knowledge (f² = 0.220) in the caregiver sample, each indicating a moderate effect. Caregivers’ training participation did not predict reduced maltreatment reported by children. Aspects of feasibility, including motivation to participate, acceptability, and integration of the new strategies were evaluated positively. The study promises initial effectiveness and feasibility of efforts to improve the situation of children in institutional care settings in resource-poor countries by offering training to care providers.

Advancing the RDoC initiative through the assessment of caregiver social processes

The relationships infants and young children have with their caregivers are fundamental to their survival and well-being. Theorists and researchers across disciplines have attempted to describe and assess the variation in these relationships, leading to a general acceptance that caregiving is critical to understanding child functioning, including developmental psychopathology. At the same time, we lack consensus on how to assess these fundamental relationships. In the present paper, we first review research documenting the importance of the caregiver-child relationship in understanding environmental risk for psychopathology. Second, we propose that the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative provides a useful framework for extending the study of children's risk for psychopathology by assessing their caregivers' social processes. Third, we describe the units of analysis for caregiver social processes, documenting how the specific subconstructs in the domain of social processes are relevant to the goal of enhancing knowledge of developmental psychopathology. Lastly, we highlight how past research can inform new directions in the study of caregiving and the parent-child relationship through this innovative extension of the RDoC initiative.

Sleep ecology, sleep characteristics and behavior problems in young maltreated children: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Behavior problems are highly prevalent in young maltreated children. Their etiology is multifactorial and has been widely documented. Lately, researchers paid increased attention to the role of sleep in non-maltreated children's behavior problems. They showed that poor sleep (e.g., short sleep duration, nocturnal awakenings) increased behavior problems. In addition, an inadequate sleep ecology (e.g., lack of sleep hygiene or bedtime routine) may lead to sleep problems.

OBJECTIVE

As maltreated children often live in disorganized environments, this study aims to map knowledge about sleep ecology and sleep characteristics, as well as their associations with behavior problems in young maltreated children from one to five years old.

METHOD

A scoping review was performed according to the PRISMA-SR checklist. Bibliographic databases were searched from 1993 to May 2020.

RESULTS

From the 650 studies screened, nine reported results about sleep ecology or sleep characteristics or their associations with behavior problems in young maltreated children. Only one study described their sleep ecology. Eight studies documented or compared sleep characteristics, showing slight differences between maltreated and non-maltreated children (e.g., longer nighttime sleep duration or shorter naps in maltreated children). Four studies revealed associations between sleep characteristics and behavior problems in young maltreated children (e.g., shorter sleep duration was associated with more externalizing behaviors).

CONCLUSION

Literature about sleep ecology, sleep characteristics, as well as with their associations with behavior problems in young maltreated children is scarce. Their sleep ecology especially deserves to be investigated. Longitudinal studies, studies with comparison groups, combining objective and subjective validated sleep measures, and taking into account maltreatment characteristics and children's developmental stage should be pursued.

A longitudinal study of the moderating effects of romantic relationships on the associations between alcohol use and trauma in college students

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

College students report high levels of alcohol use, which can be exacerbated by interpersonal trauma exposure (IPT). Romantic relationships may represent salient contexts for moderating associations between IPT and alcohol use. We examined whether relationship status, partner alcohol use and relationship satisfaction moderated associations between IPT and alcohol use, and whether these associations varied in a sex-specific manner.

DESIGN

University-wide longitudinal survey of college students.

SETTING

Large, urban public university in mid-Atlantic United States.

PARTICIPANTS

We used two subsets of participants (n = 5673 and 3195) from the Spit for Science project, a longitudinal study of college students. Participants completed baseline assessments during the autumn of their freshman year and were invited to complete follow-up assessments every spring thereafter. Participants were included in the present study if they completed surveys at baseline and at least one follow-up assessment (meanfollow-ups  = 1.70, range = 1-4).

MEASUREMENTS

Predictors included precollege and college-onset IPT, relationship status, partner alcohol use, relationship satisfaction and sex. Alcohol consumption was the primary outcome of interest. Pre-college IPT was measured at baseline and all other measures were assessed at each follow-up.

FINDINGS

Individuals with pre-college IPT consumed more alcohol than those without IPT, but this was mitigated for those in relationships (β = -0.15, P = 0.046, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.29, 0.00). Individuals with college-onset IPT consumed more alcohol than those without IPT, and this was more pronounced for those with higher partner alcohol use (β = -0.18, P = 0.001, 95% CI = -0.29, -0.07). Relationship satisfaction was not a significant moderator of the associations between IPT and alcohol use (Ps > 0.05 and 95% CIs include 0).

CONCLUSIONS

Involvement in relationships, but not relationship satisfaction, appears to reduce the effects of interpersonal trauma exposure (IPT) on alcohol use among US college students, while high partner alcohol use appears to exacerbate it. The moderating effects of relationship characteristics depend on the developmental timing of IPT.

Positive childhood experiences and adverse experiences: Psychometric properties of the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale (BCEs) among the Portuguese population

BACKGROUND

Positive childhood experiences have a positive effect on adulthood, and the absence of positive experiences can be more damaging throughout life than the presence of adversity. Recently, researchers have developed the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale (BCEs), an instrument designed to assess positive childhood experiences.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to adapt the BCEs to the Portuguese population and examines its psychometric properties.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

1886 adults with a mean age of 36.36 years (SD = 13.66) from the community participated in this study.

METHODS

Participants responded to an online protocol consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire, the BCEs, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).

RESULTS

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed a one-factor structure for the BCEs with a good fit, CFI = 0.94; NFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.043 [0.036, 0.050]. Results also indicated satisfactory internal consistency and discriminant validity values. Predictive validity showed that higher BCEs scores predicted fewer adverse experiences in the last 3 years, but only before accounting for adverse childhood experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results support the assertion that the Portuguese version of the BCEs is a valuable, brief, and psychometrically reliable instrument to measure positive childhood experiences that is suitable for use in Portugal.

Bullying patterns and their associations with child maltreatment and adolescent psychosocial problems

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed 1) to identify underlying heterogeneous patterns of bully-victim; 2) to examine whether the different types of child maltreatment predict the patterns of bully-victim; and 3) to investigate the association between patterns of bully-victim and adolescent psychosocial problems (depression, trouble at school, and substance use).

METHODS

This study included a sample of 1139 (48.7% girls, 53.4% Black) drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Children's self-reported bullying victimization at age 9 was used using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement III. Teacher's reported bullying perpetration at age 9 was used using Social Skills Rating System. Child maltreatment types were assessed at age 5 using the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale Coding. At age 15, adolescent depression was measured using modified Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; trouble at school was measured using modified Add Health In-School Questionnaire; and self-reported substance use was used.

RESULTS

Latent class analysis produced four classes: bully-victim (19.8%), victim (16.3%), no bully-victim (38.9%), and bully (24.9%). Individuals who have been neglected are more likely to be in the victim class compared to all other classes. Physical abuse to be at heightened risk of involvement in the bully-victim, compared to victim class. Additionally, individuals in the victim group are greater risk for depression, problems at school, and alcohol, as compared to those in the other classes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study augments the knowledge base on bully/victim, child maltreatment, and behavioral health outcomes and elucidates several suggestions for research and policy.

Ethogram of non-verbal behaviours associated with emotional regulation and stress response in children and adolescents with complex trauma

Complex trauma is a clinical concept developed to address the nature and effects of interpersonal traumatic experiences over the development of children and adolescents. To contribute to the development of ecologically valid diagnostic tools and a better understanding of the effects of complex trauma, an ethogram of emotional regulation and stress response behaviours was proposed and used as the main instrument in the Crossed-Puzzles Game. In total 84 children and adolescents aged 6–14 (50% of children with complex trauma in state protective care) were selected from institutions and the community. Both groups were matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. PCA, PERMANOVA, Mann-Whitney’s U, Pearson correlations, and logistic regression analyses were performed. The ethogram’s category ‘Externalising of frustration’ was identified as one of the strongest predictors for the complex trauma group. The ethogram’s validity as a research and assessment instrument from a clinical ethology perspective of complex trauma in psychology was discussed.

The association between adverse childhood experiences and mental health problems in young offenders

High rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs, e.g., abuse and neglect) have been found in young offenders. Furthermore, ACEs seem to increase the risk of developing relevant mental health problems, in non-offending juveniles and adults. However, this association has only seldomly been addressed in offending juveniles and young adults. The present study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of ACEs and mental health problems as well as their association within a sample of male and female young offenders. Altogether, 161 adolescent and young adult offenders (16.8% females) from the youth detention center Worms (Germany) filled out questionnaires concerning ACEs and mental health problems with a focus on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and intermittent explosive disorder. Considerable rates of mental health problems were found, e.g., a prevalence of 35.9% was found for intermittent explosive disorder. Furthermore, a greater proportion of the female offenders fell into the clinically significant category for somatic complaints, anxiety/depression, and attention problems than the male offenders. Female young offenders also reported more frequently about all forms of ACEs compared to the male offenders. Latent class analysis defined three subtypes of young offenders depending on their individual ACE patterns: (1) low ACEs, (2) mainly neglectful ACEs, and (3) multiple ACEs. ACEs were significantly associated with the occurrence of both internalizing and externalizing mental health disturbances, with the multiple-ACE subtype being most likely to report about significant mental health problems. The results of the present study point towards the relevance to routinely assess ACEs in young offenders to identify possible precursors of mental health problems and of future criminal behaviors.