Transdiagnostic factors in the COVID-19 pandemic: Examining the role of childhood abuse and neglect in establishing latent profiles of risk and resilience

Abstract

BackgroundAmple studies have focused on the negative consequences of COVID-19 on mental well-being, but fewer have explored the specific role of childhood abuse and neglect in the context of risk and resilience during this unprecedented crisis. ObjectiveWe aimed to identify distinct profiles of individuals based on their experiences of childhood abuse and neglect, coping strategies, and psycho-social transdiagnostic risk and protective factors, using a person-centered approach. Participants and settingA convenience sample of 914 Israelis completed self-report questionnaires during the second wave of COVID-19. MethodsLatent Profile Analysis was employed based on levels of childhood abuse and neglect, coping strategies, and established factors underpinning risk and resilience in mental health: dissociation, self-criticism, self-efficacy, self-compassion, attachment insecurity, psychological resilience, mentalizing, distress disclosure, psychopathology, and relationship satisfaction. Profiles were compared in COVID-19-related distress and well-being using ANOVAs. ResultsA four-profile solution was found to be optimal for describing individuals with different profiles of risk and resilience: “risk” (5.1 %)–individuals with meaningfully high levels of childhood abuse and neglect and dissociation; “vulnerable” (14.2 %)–individuals high in risk factors and low in protective factors; “moderately resilient” (47.6 %)–those with moderate levels of protective and risk factors; “highly resilient” (33.1 %)–individuals high in protective factors and low in risk factors; groups differed in mental well-being and COVID-19-related distress. ConclusionsResults highlight the importance of childhood abuse and neglect in differentiating between the two distinct profiles of at-risk individuals. Implications for risk assessment and treatment in the context of potential traumatic stress are discussed.