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Fucà E, Guerrera S, Falvo S, Sestito S, De Rose P, Vicari S. Characterization of sleep difficulties in maltreated children and adolescents. Eur J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s00431-024-05718-w. [PMID: 39133304 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05718-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Numerous studies have identified connections between child maltreatment and sleep-related issues. However, poor is known on potential links between sleep patterns and day-to-day functioning, along with psychopathology in maltreated youths. Additionally, existing research on the relationship between sleep difficulties and maltreatment often lacks investigation into specific sleep difficulty profiles across different age ranges. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of diverse sleep disturbance profiles in a sample of maltreated children and adolescents, exploring distinct sleep disorder profiles based on sex, age, and the type of maltreatment experienced. Potential variations in adaptive and psychopathological profiles between maltreated children with and without sleep disturbances were also explored. This retrospective study included 91 children and adolescents (56% males, 44% females), aged 6 to 17, with a history of maltreatment (physical maltreatment, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, or neglect), referring for a neuropsychiatric and psychological evaluation at a pediatric hospital. Data were obtained through a retrospective file review. Sleep difficulties were measured through the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children; cognitive abilities, adaptive skills, and emotional and behavioral features were also investigated. Among maltreated youth, difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep were the most frequently observed by caregivers. Poor sex differences emerged, whereas adolescents exhibited more daytime somnolence than school-age children. Children with sleep difficulties exhibited more anxiety symptoms and worse global functioning in comparison with children without sleep difficulties.Conclusion: Considering the vital impact of sleep quality on healthy development, practitioners should offer tailored services to child maltreatment victims. Enhancing the sleep quality of these children could help foster their resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Fucà
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Guerrera
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Falvo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Sestito
- Life Sciences and Public Health Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola De Rose
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Life Sciences and Public Health Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
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Palmier-Claus J, Golby R, Stokes LJ, Saville CWN, Velemis K, Varese F, Marwaha S, Tyler E, Taylor P. The relationship between childhood adversity and affective instability across psychiatric disorders: A meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2024. [PMID: 39128865 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Affective instability represents an important, transdiagnostic biobehavioural dimension of mental ill health and clinical outcome. The causes of affective instability remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the extent to which exposure to childhood adversity is associated with affective instability across psychiatric disorders, and which forms of adversity are most strongly associated with affective instability. METHODS The review followed a published protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42020168676). Searches in Medline, Embase and PsychInfo identified studies using quantitative measures of childhood adversity and affective instability, published between January 1980 and July 2023. Data were analysed using a random effects meta-analysis separately for each outcome, namely affective lability, emotion dysregulation, and rapid cycling. The Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool was used to appraise the quality of the literature. RESULTS The search identified 36 studies involving 8431 participants. All reports focused on cross-sectional associations. We did not identify any prospective longitudinal research. The analysis showed small, but statistically significant effects of childhood adversity on affective lability (r = 0.09, 95% CI 0.02, 0.17), emotion dysregulation (r = 0.25, 95% CI 0.19, 0.32), and rapid cycling (OR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.14, 1.70). When considering adversity subtypes, emotional abuse showed the strongest effect on affective lability (r = 0.16, 95% CI 0.07, 0.24) and emotion dysregulation (r = 0.32, 95% CI 0.19, 0.44). Quality assessment scores were generally low. Most studies failed to control for confounding factors or offer assurances around the representativeness of the samples. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that childhood adversity, particularly emotional abuse, is associated emotional instability in adulthood, but further prospective longitudinal research is needed to confirm causality. The findings have implications for the prevention and treatment of affective instability across psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Palmier-Claus
- Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
- Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, Lancashire, UK
| | - Rebecca Golby
- Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, Lancashire, UK
| | - Laura-Jean Stokes
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Science & Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | | | - Kyriakos Velemis
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Filippo Varese
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Steven Marwaha
- Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Elizabeth Tyler
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Taylor
- Division of Psychology & Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
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Reich DB, Gatchell J, Lovell-Smith N, Ren B, Zanarini MC. Reported Personality Traits and Histories of Childhood Maltreatment in Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar 2 Disorder: A Comparative Study. J Pers Disord 2024; 38:301-310. [PMID: 38857159 DOI: 10.1521/pedi.2024.38.3.301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
This study compared borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar 2 disorder (BP 2 disorder) with respect to reported childhood trauma and Five-Factor personality traits using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Participants were 50 men and women, aged 18-45, with DSM-5-diagnosed BPD and 50 men and women in the same age group with DSM-5-diagnosed BP 2 disorder. Participants could not meet criteria for both BPD and BP 2 disorder. Borderline participants had significantly higher scores on the neuroticism subscale and significantly lower scores on the agreeableness subscale of the NEO-FFI. After correction for multiple comparisons, there were no between-group differences on CTQ scores. Study results suggest that BPD and BP 2 disorder differ primarily with respect to underlying temperament/genetic architecture and that environmental factors have only a limited role in the differential etiologies of the two disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Boyu Ren
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
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Goldbach RE, Neukel C, Panizza A, Reinken A, Krause-Utz A. Differentiating between intrapsychic symptoms and behavioral expressions of borderline personality disorder in relation to childhood emotional maltreatment and emotion dysregulation: an exploratory investigation. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2263317. [PMID: 37846822 PMCID: PMC10583625 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2263317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder, characterized by pronounced instability in emotions, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. Experiences of childhood maltreatment are among the risk factors for BPD. While self-damaging and aggressive acts often occur, not every person with the disorder shows markedly dysregulated behaviour. Internalized symptoms, such as shame, loneliness, and self-disgust tend to be more pervasive and persist after clinical remission. OBJECTIVE Here we investigated associations between BPD symptom severity, childhood maltreatment, and emotion regulation difficulties. We further explored if the Borderline Symptom List (BSL) could potentially be used to differentiate between internalized symptoms (intrapsychic strain) and externalized symptoms (dysregulated behaviours) in future research. METHOD 187 women with at least mild BPD symptoms (65% having a diagnosis of BPD) completed the BSL 23 including its 11-item supplement (BSL-S), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Participants further underwent a semi-structured clinical interview to assess BPD criteria (International Personality Disorder Examination, IPDE). Multivariate models and regression-based bootstrapping analyses were performed to test direct and indirect effects. RESULTS Childhood trauma severity, especially emotional abuse, positively predicted BPD symptom severity. A significant indirect effect through emotion regulation difficulties was found (k2=.56). When exploring associations with BPD criteria (IPDE), the BSL-23 mean significantly correlated with separation anxiety, identity and mood problems, chronic emptiness, suicidal ideation, and dissociation, while the BSL-S correlated with self-harming impulsive behaviour and anger outbursts. CONCLUSIONS Findings complement previous research, highlighting the role of childhood maltreatment and emotion regulation difficulties in BPD. While our findings need to be seen as preliminary and interpreted with caution, they suggest that the BSL may be used to differentiate between internalized symptoms and behavioural expressions of BPD in future research. Such a distinction might help to deepen the understanding of this complex heterogenous disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roosmarijn E. Goldbach
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - Corinne Neukel
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Angelika Panizza
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Aischa Reinken
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - Annegret Krause-Utz
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Leiden University, the Netherlands
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d'Huart D, Hutsebaut J, Seker S, Schmid M, Schmeck K, Bürgin D, Boonmann C. Personality functioning and the pathogenic effect of childhood maltreatment in a high-risk sample. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2022; 16:95. [PMID: 36451183 PMCID: PMC9710065 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00527-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the psychopathological sequalae of childhood maltreatment are widely acknowledged, less is known about the underlying pathways by which childhood maltreatment might lead to an increased risk for mental health problems. Recent studies indicated that impaired personality functioning might mediate this relationship. The aim of the present paper was to extend the current literature by investigating the mediating effect of impaired personality functioning between different types of childhood maltreatment and self-reported mental health problems in a high-risk sample. METHODS Overall, 173 young adults (mean age = of 26.61 years; SD = 3.27) with a history of residential child welfare and juvenile justice placements in Switzerland were included in the current study. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), Semi-structured Interview for Personality Functioning DSM-5 (STiP-5.1) and the self-report questionnaires of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment scales (ASEBA) were used. Mediation analyses were conducted through structural equation modeling. RESULTS Overall, 76.3% (N = 132) participants indicated at least one type of childhood maltreatment, with emotional neglect being most commonly reported (60.7%). A total of 30.6% (N = 53) participants self-reported mental health problems. Emotional abuse (r = 0.34; p < .001) and neglect (r = 0.28; p < .001) were found to be most strongly associated with mental health problems. In addition, impaired personality functioning was fond to be a significant mediator for overall childhood maltreatment (β = 0.089; p = 0.008) and emotional neglect (β = 0.077; p = 0.016). Finally, impaired self-functioning was found to be a significant mediator when both self-functioning and interpersonal functioning were included as potential mediators in the relationship between overall childhood maltreatment (β1 = 0.177, p1 = 0.007) and emotional neglect (β1 = 0.173, p1 = 0.003). CONCLUSION Emotional neglect may be particularly important in the context of childhood maltreatment, personality functioning, and mental health problems and, therefore, should not be overlooked next to the more "obvious" forms of childhood maltreatment. Combining interventions designed for personality functioning with trauma-informed practices in standard mental health services might counteract the psychopathological outcomes of maltreated children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfine d'Huart
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Joost Hutsebaut
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Viersprong Institute for Studies on Personality Disorders, De Viersprong, Halsteren, The Netherlands
| | - Süheyla Seker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Schmid
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Schmeck
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Bürgin
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cyril Boonmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- LUMC Curium - Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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