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Berthelot N, Larouche K, Garon-Bissonnette J, Deschênes K, Drouin-Maziade C, Lemieux R. Spillover effects on the relationship with the partner of a mentalization-based intervention for pregnant women. Infant Ment Health J 2024. [PMID: 38598747 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The birth of a child has been associated with a decline in couple satisfaction, which has implications for the child's social-emotional development. This study investigated the potential spillover effect on pregnant women's perceptions of their relationships with their partners of the Supporting the Transition to and Engagement in Parenthood (STEP) program, a brief trauma-informed mentalization-based prenatal group intervention. Participants (94% White) were recruited in prenatal clinics and through online advertisements in Quebec, Canada. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from participants assigned to the STEP program (n = 42) and those receiving treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 125). Women participating in STEP reported significant improvements in their relationships with their partners compared to those assigned to TAU. More precisely, they reported higher couple satisfaction, enhanced communication, and increased interest in their partners' emotional experience. The qualitative analysis further substantiated these results, with participants reporting having involved their partners in their pregnancy, shared their insights about themselves with their partners and gained fresh perspectives on their relationships. Participants in STEP also expressed sharing program materials with their partners and considered that such interventions should be extended to expecting fathers. This study underscores the potential of mentalization-based interventions to indirectly contribute to couple relationships, which may have positive implications for parenting and the infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Karl Larouche
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kim Deschênes
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
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Legendre M, Milot T, Rousseau M, Lemieux R, Garon-Bissonnette J, Berthelot N. Beyond abuse and neglect: validation of the childhood interpersonal trauma inventory in a community sample of adults. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1358475. [PMID: 38487577 PMCID: PMC10937553 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1358475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Childhood trauma is not restricted to abuse or neglect and other potentially traumatic experiences need to be pondered in practice and research. The study aimed to collect validity evidence of a new measure of exposure to a broad range of potentially traumatic experiences, the Childhood Interpersonal Trauma Inventory (CITI), by evaluating whether the CITI provides important additional information compared to a gold standard measure of childhood trauma. Methods The sample consisted of 2,518 adults who completed the CITI and self-reported measures of trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire; CTQ) and psychiatric symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; Dissociative Experiences Scale). Results First, the sensitivity to properly detect participants having been exposed to childhood maltreatment, as measured by the CTQ (here used as the gold standard), ranged between 64.81% and 88.71%, and the specificity ranged between 68.55% and 89.54%. Second, hierarchical regressions showed that the CITI predicted between 5.6 and 14.0% of the variance in psychiatric symptoms while the CTQ only captured a very small additional part of variance (0.3 to 0.7%). Finally, 25% (n = 407) of CTQ-negative participants screened positive at the CITI. The latter reported higher severity of psychiatric symptoms than participants without trauma, suggesting that the CITI permits the identification of adults exposed to significant traumas that remain undetected using other well-validated measures. Discussion The findings underscore the utility of the CITI for research purposes and the latter's equivalence to a gold standard self-reported questionnaire to predict negative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Legendre
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d’études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l’enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d’Intervention auprès des Enfants Vulnérables et Négligés (GRIN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Tristan Milot
- Centre d’études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l’enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d’Intervention auprès des Enfants Vulnérables et Négligés (GRIN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychoeducation, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche Universitaire sur les Jeunes et les Familles (CRUJeF), CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Rousseau
- Department of Psychoeducation, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche Universitaire sur les Jeunes et les Familles (CRUJeF), CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d’études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l’enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d’Intervention auprès des Enfants Vulnérables et Négligés (GRIN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Centre d’études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l’enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d’Intervention auprès des Enfants Vulnérables et Négligés (GRIN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d’études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l’enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d’Intervention auprès des Enfants Vulnérables et Négligés (GRIN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
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Humphreys KL, Garon-Bissonnette J, Hill KE, Bailes LG, Barnett W, Hare MM. Caregiving relationships are a cornerstone of developmental psychopathology. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38389283 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The interdisciplinary field of developmental psychopathology has made great strides by including context into theoretical and empirical approaches to studying risk and resilience. Perhaps no context is more important to the developing child than their relationships with their caregivers (typically a child's parents), as caregivers are a key source of stimulation and nurturance to young children. Coupled with the high degree of brain plasticity in the earliest years of life, these caregiving relationships have an immense influence on shaping behavioral outcomes relevant to developmental psychopathology. In this article, we discuss three areas within caregiving relationships: (1) caregiver-child interactions in everyday, naturalistic settings; (2) caregivers' social cognitions about their child; and (3) caregivers' broader social and cultural context. For each area, we provide an overview of its significance to the field, identify existing knowledge gaps, and offer potential approaches for bridging these gaps to foster growth in the field. Lastly, given that one value of a scientific discipline is its ability to produce research useful in guiding real-world decisions related to policy and practice, we encourage developmental psychopathology to consider that a focus on caregiving, a modifiable target, supports this mission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L Humphreys
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Kaylin E Hill
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lauren G Bailes
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Whitney Barnett
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Megan M Hare
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Garon-Bissonnette J, Dubois-Comtois K, St-Laurent D, Berthelot N. A deeper look at the association between childhood maltreatment and reflective functioning. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:368-389. [PMID: 37131288 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2023.2207558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is theorized as impeding the development of reflective functioning (RF; ability to perceive and interpret oneself and others in terms of mental states). However, previous research typically failed to support this association or yielded small sized and mixed associations. This study aims to provide a deeper look at the association between childhood maltreatment and RF by characterizing two non-mentalizing categories. One-hundred-and-sixteen pregnant women (mean age = 27.62, SD = 4.52) from the community (48.3% with a university degree, 96.5% in a relationship with the other parent) retrospectively reported on childhood abuse and neglect using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. They also participated in the Adult Attachment Interview subsequently coded using the Reflective Functioning Scale. Participants with poor to low RF were allocated to one of two groups (disavowal-distancing or distorted-inconsistent) using indicators provided in the RF Scale. No association was found between childhood maltreatment and overall RF when controlling for education level. A multinomial logistic regression revealed that childhood maltreatment was strongly predictive of a disrupted, over-analytical and inconsistent reflection about mental states but not of a tendency to discourse little about mental states. This tendency was rather only predicted by education level. Findings suggest that childhood maltreatment would lead to specific impairments in RF and that not considering how individuals fail to mentalize about attachment relationships may mask strong associations between RF and its determinants and correlates, including childhood maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, CAN
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, CAN
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montréal, CAN
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, CAN
| | - Karine Dubois-Comtois
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Centre de recherche, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, CAN
| | - Diane St-Laurent
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles (CRUJeF), Québec, CAN
| | - Nicolas Berthelot
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, CAN
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, CAN
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Partner Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montréal, CAN
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, CAN
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, CAN
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Berthelot N, Garon-Bissonnette J, Drouin-Maziade C, Bergeron V, Sériès T. STEP-COVID: a pilot study of a prenatal intervention for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6466. [PMID: 37081093 PMCID: PMC10116444 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33369-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a global increase in psychological distress in pregnant women. This study evaluated the effects of STEP-COVID, a six-session mentalization-based prenatal group program offered online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 100 participants were allocated to STEP-COVID or to the natural trajectory of prenatal care. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included measures of psychological distress, post-traumatic symptoms and positive affectivity. Perception of change during pregnancy on resilience-promoting factors was also assessed at post-intervention. A significant decrease in psychological distress and post-traumatic symptoms and an increase in positive affectivity were observed in participants in the intervention condition, whereas only post-traumatic symptoms improved in the control condition. Women who participated in STEP-COVID also reported greater changes during pregnancy on resilience-promoting factors than women in the control condition. Results hold promise for buffering the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women using brief online interventions. Clinical trial registration: NCT05419167 (15/06/2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vanessa Bergeron
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thibaut Sériès
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
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Garon-Bissonnette J, Duguay G, Lemieux R, Dubois-Comtois K, Berthelot N. Maternal childhood abuse and neglect predicts offspring development in early childhood: The roles of reflective functioning and child sex. Child Abuse Negl 2022; 128:105030. [PMID: 33752901 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests that offspring of mothers having been exposed to childhood abuse and neglect (CA&N) are at increased risk of developmental problems and that boys are more affected by maternal CA&N than girls. Since impairments in reflective functioning (RF) have been associated with maternal CA&N and offspring development, RF could represent a key mechanism in these intergenerational risk trajectories. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated mediating (RF) and moderating (child sex) mechanisms in the association between maternal CA&N and child development. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING In a longitudinal setting, 111 mothers completed measures during pregnancy and between 11 and 36 months postpartum. METHODS CA&N and impairments in RF were assessed during pregnancy and offspring development was measured during the longitudinal follow-up using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3). Child development was operationalized in two ways: using the global score at the ASQ-3 and using a dichotomous score of accumulation of delays across domains of development. RESULTS Structural equation modeling indicated that RF mediated the association between maternal CA&N and offspring development. Child sex moderated the association between CA&N and the clustering of developmental problems (Wald = 5.88, p = 0.02), with boys being particularly likely to accumulate developmental delays when their mother experienced CA&N (RR = 2.62). Accumulation of developmental problems was associated with impairments in maternal RF in girls and with maternal exposure to CA&N in boys. CONCLUSIONS Results provide novel insights on the role of mentalization and child sex in the association between maternal CA&N and child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada
| | - Gabrielle Duguay
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada
| | - Karine Dubois-Comtois
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés, Canada
| | - Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada.
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Berthelot N, Savard C, Lemieux R, Garon-Bissonnette J, Ensink K, Godbout N. Development and validation of a self-report measure assessing failures in the mentalization of trauma and adverse relationships. Child Abuse Negl 2022; 128:105017. [PMID: 33692012 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The way people process trauma and adverse relationships may be more predictive of subsequent adaptation than trauma exposure in itself. However, there is currently no self-report instrument assessing failures in the mentalization of trauma and adverse relationships. OBJECTIVE We developed the Failure to Mentalize Trauma Questionnaire (FMTQ) and evaluated its psychometric properties. The FMTQ is a 29-item self-report instrument designed to assess different indications of failures in the mentalization of trauma and adverse relationships. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A total of 975 participants (84 % women; 37 % exposed to child maltreatment) were recruited in the course of larger research protocols on parenting. METHODS Participants completed the FMTQ and measures of childhood maltreatment, psychopathology (post-traumatic stress symptoms, dissociative symptoms, level of personality dysfunction), general mentalization and intimate partner violence. RESULTS Exploratory factor analysis, supported by a confirmatory factor analysis, identified seven factors with good internal consistency that corresponded to different types of failures in the mentalization of trauma and adverse relationships and that loaded on a general factor. A dose-effect association was observed between the severity of childhood maltreatment, and the severity of failures in the mentalization of trauma and adverse relationships (rs = .49, p < .01). The FMTQ total score explained a significant proportion of variance in psychopathology and intimate partner violence, both in participants with histories of childhood maltreatment and participants without childhood maltreatment. CONCLUSION The FMTQ is a promising, concise and efficient measure of failures in the mentalization of trauma and adverse relationships that may facilitate clinical screening and research with adults who experienced trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Canada.
| | - Claudia Savard
- Department of Educational Fundamentals and Practices, Université Laval, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Canada
| | - Karin Ensink
- Department of Psychology, Université Laval, Canada
| | - Natacha Godbout
- Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada
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Garon-Bissonnette J, Bolduc MÈG, Lemieux R, Berthelot N. Cumulative childhood trauma and complex psychiatric symptoms in pregnant women and expecting men. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:10. [PMID: 34983417 PMCID: PMC8725451 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-04327-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women and men having been exposed to childhood trauma would be at high risk of various mental health symptoms while awaiting a child. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cumulative childhood trauma and the accumulation of symptoms belonging to different psychiatric problems in pregnant women and expecting men. METHODS We first examined prevalence rates of childhood trauma across our samples of 2853 pregnant women and 561 expecting men from the community. Second, we evaluated the association between cumulative childhood trauma and symptom complexity (i.e., the simultaneous presentation of symptoms belonging to multiple psychiatric problems) using subsamples of 1779 pregnant women and 118 expecting men. Participants completed self-reported measures of trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and psychiatric symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2; Self and Interpersonal Functioning Scale). RESULTS Trauma was more frequent in pregnant women than in expecting men and in participants reporting sociodemographic risk factors than in those not reporting any. A dose-response relationship was observed between the number of different traumas reported by pregnant women and expecting men and the complexity of their psychiatric symptoms, even when controlling for the variance explained by other risk factors. Women having been exposed to cumulative childhood trauma were 4.95 times more at risk of presenting comorbid psychiatric problems during pregnancy than non-exposed women. CONCLUSIONS Childhood trauma is frequent in the general population of pregnant women and expecting men and is associated with symptom complexity during the antenatal period. These findings call for delivering and evaluating innovative trauma-informed antenatal programs to support mental health and adaptation to parenthood in adults having been exposed to childhood trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, Canada.,Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Grisé Bolduc
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada.,Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, PO Box 500, Québec, Canada
| | - Nicolas Berthelot
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Québec, Canada. .,CERVO Brain Research Center, Québec, Canada. .,Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Québec, Canada. .,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Québec, Canada. .,Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, PO Box 500, Québec, Canada.
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Berthelot N, Drouin-Maziade C, Garon-Bissonnette J, Lemieux R, Sériès T, Lacharité C. Evaluation of the Acceptability of a Prenatal Program for Women With Histories of Childhood Trauma: The Program STEP. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:772706. [PMID: 34803778 PMCID: PMC8600135 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.772706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Childhood trauma would negatively affect pregnant women's mental health and would have intergenerational repercussions. However, there is a paucity of prenatal interventions specifically designed for women exposed to childhood trauma. The study aims to evaluate the acceptability of STEP, a manualized group intervention designed for pregnant women having experienced early life adversity. Methods: The acceptability of STEP was assessed in four phases. In Phase 1, six experts evaluated whether the program activities were pertinent and trauma sensitive. In Phase 2, three parents read the intervention manuals and evaluated whether they considered each session relevant, interesting, and clear. In Phase 3, the program was briefly presented by phone to 309 pregnant women from the community. Women were inquired about their interest in the program, and the reasons for their lack of interest were assessed. In Phase 4, 30 pregnant women exposed to childhood trauma participated in the program and completed anonymous satisfaction questionnaires after each session. Psychological distress was also measured before and after the program. Results: All activities were rated by independent experts as highly pertinent, adequate, and sufficiently safe to be offered to pregnant women. Parents who read through the intervention manuals also considered that the sessions were relevant, clear, and interesting. About half of the pregnant women from the community showed interest in the program. Participants reported very high levels of satisfaction and a significant decrease in psychological distress during the program. Conclusions: Our findings show a high level of convergence among various indicators of program acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Thibaut Sériès
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Carl Lacharité
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the association between news media use frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic and the scale of psychological distress in pregnant women, considering this distress known harmful effects on the fetus development. METHOD Pregnant women living in Quebec province (N = 1014) have been recruited in April 2020 through social media, while a state of health emergency was declared. Participants were divided in 4 groups, according to self-reported frequency of news media consulting (little or none; one time a day; several times a day; constant). They filled measures of depressive symptoms, negative affects, post-traumatic stress symptoms and anxiety specific to COVID-19. Instrument scores were grouped under a unique factor of psychological distress. RESULTS An ANCOVA controlling for age, gestational age, education level, household annual revenue and a diagnosed mental disorder present at the time of participation in study shows that news media exposure frequency is significantly associated with psychological distress severity in pregnant women, during COVID-19 pandemic, F(3,998) = 27.02, p < 0.001, η2 partial = 0.08. Given the mean comparisons a posteriori, higher psychological distress rates are found as soon as news media exposure exceeds once a day (effect sizes between 0.38 and 0.81). CONCLUSIONS The more pregnant women report consulting the news media during the COVID-19 pandemic, the more likely they are to exhibit psychological distress. Results provide one of the first empirical supports to recommendations of World Health Organization, Canada government and psychiatric associations that encourage population to limit their news media consulting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Lemieux
- Département des sciences infirmières, 14847Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Québec, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Québec, Canada.,Département de psychologie, 14847Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.,Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS), Québec, Canada
| | - Mathilde Loiselle
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Québec, Canada.,Département de psychologie, 14847Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Élodie Martel
- Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Québec, Canada.,Département de psychologie, 14847Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Département des sciences infirmières, 14847Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Québec, Canada
| | - Nicolas Berthelot
- Département des sciences infirmières, 14847Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille (CEIDEF), Québec, Canada.,Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès des enfants vulnérables et négligés (GRIN), Québec, Canada.,Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et les agressions sexuelles (CRIPCAS), Québec, Canada
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Berthelot N, Lemieux R, Garon-Bissonnette J, Drouin-Maziade C, Martel É, Maziade M. Uptrend in distress and psychiatric symptomatology in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2020; 99:848-855. [PMID: 32449178 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal maternal distress has a negative impact on the course of pregnancy, fetal development, offspring development, and later psychopathologies. The study aimed to determine the extent to which the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may aggravate the prenatal distress and psychiatric symptomatology of pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two cohorts of pregnant volunteer women were evaluated, one that was recruited before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 496) through advertisements in prenatal clinics in Quebec, Canada, from April 2018 to March 2020; the other (n = 1258) was recruited online during the pandemic from 2 April to 13 April 2020. Prenatal distress and psychiatric symptomatology were measured with the Kessler Distress Scale (K10), Post-traumatic Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). RESULTS The 1754 pregnant women (Mage = 29.27, SD = 4.23) were between 4 and 41 gestational weeks (M = 24.80, SD = 9.42), were generally educated (91.3% had post-high-school training), and financially well-resourced (85.3% were above the low-income cut-off). A multivariate analysis of covariance controlling for age, gestational age, household income, education, and lifetime psychiatric disorders showed a large effect size (ES) in the difference between the two cohorts on psychiatric symptoms (Wilks' λ = 0.68, F6,1400 = 108.50, P < .001, partial η2 = 0.32). According to post-hoc analyses of covariance, the COVID-19 women reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms (ES = 0.57), dissociative symptoms (ES = 0.22 and ES = 0.25), symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (ES = 0.19), and negative affectivity (ES = 0.96), and less positive affectivity (ES = 0.95) than the pre-COVID-19 cohort. Women from the COVID-19 cohort were more likely than pre-COVID-19 women to present clinically significant levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.94, χ2 [1] = 10.05, P = .002). Multiple regression analyses indicated that pregnant women in the COVID-19 cohort having a previous psychiatric diagnosis or low income would be more prone to elevated distress and psychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Pregnant women assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic reported more distress and psychiatric symptoms than pregnant women assessed before the pandemic, mainly in the form of depression and anxiety symptoms. Given the harmful consequences of prenatal distress on mothers and offspring, the presently observed upsurge of symptoms in pregnant women calls for special means of clinical surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,Center d'Études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l'Enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,Center d'Études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l'Enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Center d'Études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l'Enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Christine Drouin-Maziade
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,Center d'Études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l'Enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Élodie Martel
- Center d'Études Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement de l'Enfant et la Famille (CEIDEF), Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Maziade
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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12
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Berthelot N, Lemieux R, Garon-Bissonnette J, Muzik M. Prenatal Attachment, Parental Confidence, and Mental Health in Expecting Parents: The Role of Childhood Trauma. J Midwifery Womens Health 2019; 65:85-95. [PMID: 31566890 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to childhood abuse or neglect may lead to negative outcomes during pregnancy in expecting parents, which may contribute to a negative experience of childbearing and have consequences for the developing fetus. This study examined the associations between exposure to childhood abuse or neglect, psychological symptoms, prenatal attachment, and perception of parental competence in expectant parents. METHODS Individuals at low sociodemographic risk were recruited in community perinatal care settings and completed self-report assessment measures of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociation, personality disorders, perception of parental competence, and prenatal attachment. RESULTS There were 322 participants (78% women), including 91 adults with a history of childhood abuse or neglect, Participants who were exposed to childhood abuse or neglect reported significantly higher levels of symptoms on all indices of mental health than nonexposed adults, even when controlling for sociodemographic risks. However, both groups reported similar levels of prenatal attachment and parental confidence. The impact of childhood maltreatment was similar in men and women. Structural equation modeling showed that childhood abuse or neglect leads to poor mental health and that poor mental health, but not childhood maltreatment, is associated with low parental confidence and prenatal attachment. DISCUSSION Psychological symptoms are frequent in expectant parents who experienced maltreatment during their childhood. However, childhood abuse or neglect is not associated with their attitude regarding parenthood and the child in the absence of psychopathology. Supporting mental health may be an important target of parental programs offered during pregnancy to women and men with a history of childhood abuse or neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maria Muzik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Berthelot N, Lemieux R, Garon-Bissonnette J, Lacharité C, Muzik M. The protective role of mentalizing: Reflective functioning as a mediator between child maltreatment, psychopathology and parental attitude in expecting parents. Child Abuse Negl 2019; 95:104065. [PMID: 31255871 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment impacts parenting and has intergenerational consequences. It is therefore crucial to identify clinically responsive resilience-promoting factors in pregnant women and expecting men with history of childhood maltreatment. Mentalization, or reflective functioning, appears as a promising concept to understand risk and resilience in the face of childhood maltreatment. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the multivariate relationship between exposure to childhood maltreatment, reflective functioning, psychological symptoms and parental attitude in expecting parents. METHODS Two hundred and thirty-five pregnant women and 66 expecting fathers completed self-report assessment measures of childhood trauma, reflective functioning, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, parental sense of competence and antenatal attachment. Twenty-eight percent (n = 85) of the community sample reported personal histories of childhood maltreatment. RESULTS Structural equation modeling indicated that reflective functioning (a) partially mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms during pregnancy and (b) independently predicted participants' perception of parental competence and psychological investment toward the unborn child. CONCLUSION Overall, this study provides empirical evidence of the protective role of reflective functioning during the prenatal period in parents with histories of childhood maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Berthelot
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Canada.
| | - Roxanne Lemieux
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada
| | - Julia Garon-Bissonnette
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Canada
| | - Carl Lacharité
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada; Centre d'études interdisciplinaires sur le développement de l'enfant et la famille, Canada; Groupe de recherche et d'intervention auprès de l'enfant vulnérable et négligé, Canada
| | - Maria Muzik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, United States; Center for Human Growth & Development, University of Michigan, United States
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