Types Of Abuse Research Articles

Child Anxiety, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Following Orthopedic Trauma.

Many children and adolescents are exposed to different types of trauma, e.g., abuse or various disasters. Trauma can cause severe and long-term impairment and consequences, the most studied of which are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptoms (PTSS). PTSD is highly prevalent in clinical practice (with a frequency of about 7%) and is a debilitating consequence of trauma. The current study aimed to assess childhood injuries and their associated anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder following orthopedic trauma. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, including all pediatric patients with trauma at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital in the Seer region of Saudi Arabia, as well as pediatric patients with trauma at Abha Maternity and Children Hospital during the period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Data were collected from the children's caregivers using a direct interview questionnaire to assess the children's personal data, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Children's trauma-related data were extracted from their medical records using a pre-structured data extraction sheet. A total of 100 children with trauma were included. Children ranged in age from eight to 12 years, with a mean age of 7.3 ± 3.4 years. In all, 67 (67.0%) children were males, and only 6 (6.0%) had chronic health problems. The vast majority of the children with trauma had a low-severity experience of depression and anxiety following trauma (97.1% for each), and only one child had a high-severity experience of depression and anxiety. In all, 5 (4.9%) children with trauma experienced clinically significant PTSD, and the vast majority of them showed a low likelihood of the disorder. Multiple fractures and undergoing surgery were significant predictors of developing PTSD (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the current study revealed that bone trauma was frequent among children, mainly due to playing accidents. Also, a low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorders and their mental consequences was estimated.

An Investigation of the Mediating Roles of Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Distress Tolerance, Self-Compassion, and Self-Disgust in the Association Between Childhood Trauma and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Objective Childhood maltreatment has been associated as a risk factor with the development of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), with difficulty in emotion regulation explaining the association. However, little is known about the potential factors that make some individuals with maltreatment history more vulnerable to difficulties in emotion regulation and, in turn, engage in NSSI. The current study aimed to examine the roles of distress tolerance, self-compassion, and self-disgust in the association between childhood maltreatment types and emotion regulation difficulty, which was expected to predict NSSI. Method The sample included 397 university students between the ages of 18 and 30. Participants completed self-report scales assessing childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation difficulty, distress tolerance, self-compassion, self-disgust, and NSSI using the paper-pencil and online methods. The mediation model suggested for the association between childhood maltreatment types and NSSI was tested using path analysis. Results Low distress tolerance, low self-compassion, high self-disgust, and resulting high emotion regulation difficulty mediated the indirect effect of emotional neglect on NSSI. Conclusion The current study sheds light on various factors in the development and maintenance of NSSI and reveals three developmental pathways from emotional neglect in childhood to engaging in NSSI. HIGHLIGHTS Emotional neglect may be a distal risk factor for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Low distress tolerance and self-compassion and high self-disgust may increase the risk of NSSI. Emotion regulation difficulty may make people engage in NSSI to regulate emotions.

Help-Seeking From Websites and Police in the Aftermath of Technology-Facilitated Victimization.

This study looked at experiences of help-seeking from websites and police following an episode of technology-facilitated abuse. It used data from a nationally representative online panel of adults aged 18 to 28, sampled from Ipsos Knowledge Panel. A total of 1,952 unique victimization episodes from childhood and adulthood were identified and used in analyses. Participants were asked about whether they experienced 11 different types of technology-facilitated abuse (TFA), whether the incident was reported to the website or police, barriers to reporting, and features of the website's or law enforcement's response. Other follow-up information included victim gender, age, relationship to the perpetrator, and negative emotional impact (NEI) associated with the incident. Results found very low rates of reporting to both websites (7.3%) and law enforcement (4.8%). Image-based offenses had higher rates of reporting. A greater NEI significantly increased the odds of reporting to each source. Participants were largely unsatisfied with response from websites and police. Only 42.2% said the website did something helpful and only 29.8% found police helpful. Our findings suggest a need for major improvements in how websites and law enforcement respond to victims of technology-facilitated offenses. They need to have more helpful information and more ways of offering support. Websites need more specifics about the types of violations that warrant reporting, clearer signposts, and encouragement about how to get help and a better publicized commitment to a rapid and serious review. Law enforcement needs more education and training to avoid dismissive and judgmental reactions and to ensure sympathetic and respectful responses.

A Study on User-Oriented Subjects of Child Abuse on Wikipedia: Temporal Analysis of Wikipedia History Versions and Traffic Data.

Many people turn to online open encyclopedias such as Wikipedia to seek knowledge about child abuse. However, the information available on this website is often disorganized and incomplete. The aim of this study is to analyze Wikipedia's coverage of child abuse and provide a more accessible way for users to browse child abuse-related content. The study explored the main themes and subjects related to child abuse on Wikipedia and proposed a multilayer user-oriented subject schema from the general users' perspective. The knowledge of child abuse on Wikipedia is presented in the child abuse-related articles on it. The study analyzed child abuse-related articles on Wikipedia, examining their history versions and yearly page views data to reveal the evolution of content and popularity. The themes and subjects were identified from the articles' text using the open coding, self-organizing map, and n-gram approaches. The subjects in different periods were compared to reveal changes in content. This study collected and investigated 241 associated Wikipedia articles and their history versions and traffic data. Four facets were identified: (1) maltreatment behavior (n=118, 48.9%); (2) people and environment (n=28, 11.6%); (3) problems and risks (n=33, 13.7%); and (4) protection and support (n=62, 25.7%). A total of 8 themes and 51 subjects were generated from the text, and a user-oriented subject schema linking the facets, themes, subjects, and articles was created. Maltreatment behavior (number of total views = 1.15 × 108) was the most popular facet viewed by users, while people and environment (number of total views = 2.42 × 107) was the least popular. The popularity of child abuse increased from 2010 to 2014 but decreased after that. The user-oriented subject schema provides an easier way for users to seek information and learn about child abuse. The knowledge of child abuse on Wikipedia covers the harms done to children, the problems caused by child abuse, the protection of children, and the people involved in child abuse. However, there was an inconsistency between the interests of general users and Wikipedia editors, and the child abuse knowledge on Wikipedia was found to be deficient, lacking content about typical child abuse types. To meet users' needs, health information creators need to generate more information to fill the knowledge gap.

Role of cognitive behavior therapy on people with substance abuse in the craving phase

The problem of substance abuse has shown an increase in quantity, quality, and rate of distribution, both in terms of the number of victims and the types of substance abuse. World drug reports around 275 million people used drugs worldwide in 2020. In Indonesia, there are 3.66 million drug users in 2021. When people with substance abuse stop taking the substance and have the desire to take it again, it is called the craving phase. The case is a 36-year-old male with Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to the Use of Other Stimulants With Uncomplicated Substance Withdrawal (F15.30). The patient wants to stop using crystal methamphetamine because there’s a desire to use it again in the last 3 weeks after stopping two months ago. This patient is in the craving phase, and CBT is the most therapy given to prevent relapse, beside CBT patient is also given other non-medical therapy in the form of supportive psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, and family therapy, for the medical therapy Fluoxetine 10 mg tab every 24 hours IO (in the morning) and Alprazolam 1 mg tab every 24 hours IO (in the evening).

No Safe Place: Violence among Unaccompanied Refugee Children Seeking Asylum in Kenya

This paper explores the rarely examined experiences of unaccompanied refugee minors in Nairobi, Kenya. Children are thought to comprise up to a third of Nairobi's refugee population, however, there is virtually no data on them. The paper provides a first analysis of a unique dataset to ascertain unaccompanied minor refugees’ experiences of physical, emotional, resource related, and sexual violence. Our research findings indicate widespread violence among refugee children living in Nairobi, and denote the prevalence of several kinds of violence in particular. Our results also reveal which children are most at risk and the type of abuse they are most likely to experience.

Race/ethnicity, negative peer support, and polyvictimization among college women

Advances in social scientific understandings of female racial/ethnic minority college students’ experiences of woman abuse have not kept pace with the amount of theoretical and empirical work on the plight of their White counterparts. What is especially needed is a study that examines racial/ethnic variations in negative peer support for various types of victimization in institutions of higher learning. Using the Campus Quality of Life Survey, results show (1) no significant differences between White and racial/ethnic minority women students in polyvictimization within types of abuse (i.e., stalking, harassment, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence), but some differences in overall rates of victimization and polyvictimization, and (2) negative peer support is strongly related to woman abuse and polyvictimization. Implications are discussed.

Role of Socio-Demographic Factors in Codependency of Spouses of Substance Users

Codependency is considered to be a dysfunctional form infused with the extreme focus outside oneself. Spouses of male substance abusers derive the sense of purpose from the marital relationship, while neglecting their own self-esteem, personal life, self-worth and autonomy. It not only affects their psychological health but is also varied by a number of sociodemographic factors that may contribute to the functionality of spouses. The study aims to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics and codependency of spouses of substance users. Demographic characteristics included education of female spouses, types of substance abuse taken by the male spouses, family system, and profession of female spouses and socio-economic status. There was no significant correlation between the demographic characteristic however there was a significant positive correlation between age, duration of marriage and duration of substance abuse of male spouse. There was also a significant positive correlation between Education and socio-economic status, psychological and medical issue. The patterns uncovered showed to be consistent with the literature and paved way for future research.

신체·정서 중복학대의 학대행위 특성과 예측요인

This study aimed to reveal the characteristics and the predictors associated with co-occurrence of physical and emotional abuse, the most frequent maltreatment type in Korea. Utilizing data from the caregivers with school-aged children(age 6~17) participating in the 2018 National Child Survey, the characteristics of maltreating behavior and the predictors were compared among two single forms and a multiple form of physical and emotional abuse. Logistic regression analysis with variables based on ecological perspective revealed that maltreating behaviors were more severe when physical and emotional abuse co-occurred compared to single forms of physical or emotional abuse. Also, those behaviors occurred more frequently in the multiple form than two single forms. Predictors of physical and emotional abuse included child age, single parent or grandparent family, caregiver’s smoking, fight with spouse, quality of family relationship, attitude toward children(adolescent)’s right to participation, and caregivers’control on children(adolescent)’s use of electronic devices. Welfare receipt was a protective factor, different from findings from previous studies and it implies that co-occrunence of physical and emotional abuse is more likely in non-low-income families, Based on the findings, it was discussed how to prevent co-occurrence of physical and emotional abuse.

The Indirect Effect of Avoidant Motives for Sex on the Pathways From Childhood Maltreatment to Risky Sex Behaviors.

Literature supports a strong link between engagement in risky sex and childhood maltreatment, with engagement in risky sexual behavior proposed as a manifestation of avoidant coping. Sex motives refer to underlying motivations for engaging in sex such as increased intimacy, or peer pressure. Limited research has examined the role of sex motives on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and risky sex. This study sought to examine this path between childhood maltreatment types and later engagement in risky sex through sex motivations that seek to avoid or reduce negative affect (i.e., sex to cope and sex to affirm self-esteem). A sample of sexually active undergraduate women (n = 551) completed a series of questionnaires on childhood maltreatment, risky sexual behavior, and motivations for sexual intercourse as part of a larger parent study on revictimization. Path analysis was conducted to examine differential indirect effects of childhood maltreatment on risky sex (i.e., sex with a stranger and hookup behaviors). Results suggested sex to cope with negative affect mediated the relationship between emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and hookup behavior. Only an indirect path between childhood emotional abuse and sex with a stranger was identified through sex to cope. Emotional abuse was the only maltreatment to predict sex to affirm, but sex to affirm did not predict risky sex outcomes. Findings provide support for differential pathways from various forms of childhood maltreatment, specifically sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical neglect, to increased risky sex as a manifestation of avoidant coping. Furthermore, results support the call for more inclusion of nonsexual forms of childhood maltreatment in studies of risky sex and avoidant coping as a potential intervention target for risky sexual behavior regardless of childhood maltreatment type.

Intimate Partner Violence in Khaliji Women: A Review of the Frequency and Related Factors.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in the aforementioned region, but research that synthesises this trend has remained scarce. The present narrative review examines existing research on the prevalence and frequency of IPV among Khaliji women who inhabit the GCC nations. This review synthesised studies on physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours perpetrated by an intimate partner. The prevalence rates of IPV among Khaliji women were observed to be high: women reported facing different types of abuse from their partners, namely physical (7-71%), sexual (3.7-81%), financial (21.3-26%), and psychological (7.5-89%), which is a culmination of controlling behaviour (36.8%), emotional violence (22-69%), and social violence (34%). Existing studies in the GCC region suggest that the most endorsed IPV was psychological abuse (89%), followed by sexual violence (81%). Qualitative analysis of the content of associated factors resulted in four significant descriptors, such as victim demographics, sociocultural factors, socioeconomic factors, and perpetrator-related issues. Research on IPV is still in its nascent stages, with very few studies emanating from the GCC region. The way forward will require developing culturally appropriate interventions that address the unique risk factors for IPV among the Khaliji population, strengthening institutional responses, and increasing awareness and social support for victims of IPV.

Prevalence and Patterns of Elderly Abuse in Family Environment: A Cross-Sectional Study of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City

The primary goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between elderly people's socioeconomic characteristics and the average rank of elderly abuse patterns. The study was primarily concerned with quantitative research and employed a cross-sectional survey method. From a population of 16,489 in Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City, 412 elderly people were chosen at random. To collect data, face-to-face interviews with structured interview schedules were used. A pilot survey was conducted to ensure validity and reliability in data. In the study, data was analysed using univariate and bivariate frequency distributions, as well as non-parametric tests. According to the study, the prevalence of overall abuse was 35.90% and psychological abuse was observed high among others. The most common types of abuse were moderate psychological abuse (43.8%), neglect (60.5%), and overall abuse (57.8%). Mild economic abuse accounted for 60%, while other types of abuse accounted for 79.4%. The study also looked at the link between abuse and gender, and found statistically insignificant differences (p&gt;0.05). However, there was a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in the prevalence of psychological and overall abuse based on property ownership, whereas other patterns revealed no significant differences (p&gt;0.05). Except for psychological and overall abuse, dependency status had no significant impact on the occurrence of elder abuse patterns (p&gt;0.05). Except for certain participants, the prevalence of elderly abuse was high. Psychological, economic, and overall abuse varied significantly by age group, but neglect and other forms did not (p&gt;0.05). Except for psychological abuse, family size and income level were found to have significant differences in abuse patterns. The study's findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions and policies to prevent and address elder abuse, particularly among vulnerable populations. To address the identified disparities, comprehensive measures that prioritise the well-being and safety of vulnerable elders must be implemented.

(029) Prevalence of Sexual Pain Among Cis-Gender Muslim Women in North America

Abstract Introduction Muslim women represent an underserved and underrepresented minority in North America. It is well documented that unconscious bias impacts the quality of healthcare delivery in the U.S. Stigmas related to sexual health in the Islamic culture may detrimentally impact a Muslim woman's ability to seek care as well. The prevalence rates of lifetime sexual pain disorders among all women, in general, are poorly studied and rates vary from 6 to 40% depending on the study. Even less has been studied in this population with an isolated study from one clinic demonstrating about a 14% prevalence of sexual pain in Muslim women with sexual dysfunction. It is important to understand the burden of sexual pain and dysfunction among Muslim women to improve the quality of their care. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual violence, sexual dysfunction, and spiritual abuse among Muslims aged 18-45 and understanding the barriers to seek healthcare and assistance. Methods A national cross-sectional, IRB approved study was implemented to investigate the above. Through the use of the Qualtrics online platform, a 151- question survey was designed and implemented which included questions about demographics as well as questions about religiosity, sexual dysfunction, sexual pain, varying types of sexual abuse, and follow-up treatment. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling approach via social media, listserv outreach, office visits, and mobilizing key community partners to help disseminate the survey. Descriptive statistics were utilized to better understand the prevalence and will further attempt to examine the correlation between barriers to seeking assistance and identity, attitudes, and experiences of sexual violence. Results From March 2020 until November 2020, a total of 704 Muslims ranged from 18-45 years old across the United States and Canada responded to the survey. Of those, 86% identified themselves as cis-gender women. Of those women, 47% chose to answer the questions regarding sexual dysfunction and sexual pain and almost half of the respondents (42%) admitted to having a history of sexual pain and dysfunction. Among those women who had a history of sexual pain, 65% admitted that they had never sought help for their pain from any healthcare provider. Conclusions Sexual pain and sexual dysfunction are under-reported among Muslim women and there are clear barriers that need to be overcome to alleviate their suffering. This is the first national study of its kind that has looked at sexual dysfunction and sexual pain, specifically, and is a great stepping stone to further analysis and investigation. At least half of the cis-gender women in this national survey admitted to some experience with sexual dysfunction, more specifically sexual pain, in their lifetime and more than two-thirds of those did not seek treatment. Cultural and religious stigmas, as well as possible barriers to seeking healthcare by lack of cultural competence training by many providers, may be contributing to their lack of follow up for treatment. With additional studies and analysis as well as building awareness, we can better understand how to eliminate barriers and stigmas and increase education for this population. Disclosure No.

Correlations between childhood trauma and depression, anxiety, and stress levels in nurses

AimsThis study aims to determine correlations between childhood trauma and depression, anxiety, and stress levels in nurses. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses in Turkey from August to September 2022. A total of 395 nurses were included in the study. Data were collected through an online survey using a personal information form, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS 21). ResultsThe mean score of the CTQ-28 total scale was 51.6, and emotional neglect was the most common type of abuse. The prevalence of moderate-to-extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress was 34.7 %, 42.2 %, and 18.3 %, respectively. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect subscales of the CTQ were independently related to all three DASS subscale scores. ConclusionThis study revealed that the emotional abuse and neglect experienced in childhood are related to the nurses' current stress, anxiety, and depression levels.

Has the relationship between community poverty and child maltreatment report rates become stronger or weaker over time?

BackgroundPoverty is among the most powerful predictors of child maltreatment risk and reporting. To date, however, there have been no studies assessing the stability of this relationship over time. ObjectiveTo examine whether the county-level relationship between child poverty rates and child maltreatment report (CMR) rates changed over time in the United States in 2009–2018, overall and across of child age, sex, race/ethnicity, and maltreatment type. Participants and settingU.S. Counties in 2009–2018. MethodsLinear multilevel models estimated this relationship and its longitudinal change, while controlling for potential confounding variables. ResultsWe found that the county-level relationship between child poverty rates and CMR rates had intensified almost linearly from 2009 to 2018. Per one-percentage-point increase in child poverty rates, CMR rates significantly increased by 1.26 per 1000 children in 2009 and by 1.74 per 1000 children in 2018, indicating an almost 40 % increase in the poverty-CMR relationship. This increasing trend was also found within all subgroups of child age and sex. This trend was found among White and Black children, but not among Latino children. This trend was strong among neglect reports, weaker among physical abuse reports, and not found among sexual abuse reports. ConclusionsOur findings highlight the continued, perhaps increasing importance of poverty as a predictor of CMR. To the degree that our findings can be replicated, they could be interpreted as supporting an increased emphasis on reducing child maltreatment incidents and reports through poverty amelioration efforts and the provision of material family supports.

Protecting children from online sexual abuse in Bangladesh: A policy brief

Background: Online sexual abuse is a growing concern in Bangladesh, particularly as children are increasingly accessing the internet and social media. This paper examines the prevalence and impact of online sexual abuse on children in Bangladesh, and provides policy recommendations to protect children from this type of abuse. Methods: This policy brief was prepared after reviewing findings of the research works conducted on online child sexual abuse. Results: Around 86% female and 91% male children of Bangladesh use the internet. Among the internet users, about one in two children are sexually abused. In addition to the Children Act 2013, the government of Bangladesh enacted the ICT Act 2006 and the Digital Security Act 2018 to address cybercrimes. However, these acts do not specifically address the issue of online child sexual abuse. In addition, the legal provisions lack strict enforcement and the media at times discloses the identities of child victims including images. Policy recommendations: The government, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders need to take a comprehensive approach to protect children from online sexual abuse including improving the legal framework, strengthening child protection mechanisms, increasing awareness and education on safe internet use, and empowering children and their families to report incidents of online sexual abuse. Anonymous reporting system needs to be developed and strict legal measures must be enforced. Conclusion: Protecting children from online sexual abuse requires a sustained multi-stakeholder approach that involves the government, civil society organizations, parents, educators, and children themselves. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal 2023;16(2): 111-117

A qualitative analysis of gaslighting in romantic relationships

AbstractGaslighting is an understudied form of abuse wherein a sane and rational survivor is convinced of their own epistemic incompetence on false pretenses by a perpetrator. The current study aimed to characterize the features of gaslighting as well as test and verify common claims about gaslighting. We recruited participants (N = 65) who self‐identified as having experienced gaslighting in romantic relationships to fill out a qualitative survey wherein they described instances of gaslighting, features of their relationships, and the consequences of gaslighting on their mental health. The age of participants in this study ranged from 18 to 69 (M = 29), most participants identified as female (48), and heterosexual (43). Gaslighting occurs within relationships that are typified by a combination of affectionate and abusive behaviors extended over the course of a relationship. Gaslighting victimization was associated with a diminished sense of self, mistrust of others, and on occasion, post‐traumatic growth. Those who recovered from gaslighting often emphasized the importance of separation from the perpetrator, prioritization of healthier relationships, and engaging in meaningful and re‐embodying activities. This study provides a basis for further research into gaslighting and recovery from gaslighting, which will contribute to the prevention and treatment for this type of abuse.

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress partially mediate the relationship between gender-based violence and alcohol misuse among South African women

BackgroundThe association of traumatic experiences with problematic alcohol use has been described, but data on possible mediation effects of mental distress are sparse. We examined whether mental ill-health mediated the association between trauma exposure across the lifespan and alcohol use.MethodWe analysed cross-sectional data from a sample of rape-exposed and non-rape-exposed women, living in KwaZulu-Natal, with self-reported data on alcohol misuse (AUDIT-C cut-off ≥ 3) and exposure to childhood maltreatment (CM), intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner sexual violence (NPSV), other traumatic events, and mental ill-health. Logistic regression and multiple mediation models were used to test the mediation effects of symptoms of depression and PTSS on the association between abuse/trauma and alcohol misuse.ResultsOf 1615 women, 31% (n = 498) reported alcohol misuse. Exposure to any CM (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27–1.99), as well as to sexual, physical and emotional CM, were independently associated with alcohol misuse. Lifetime exposure to any IPV (aOR:2.01, 95%CI:1.59–2.54), as well as to physical, emotional and economic IPV, NPSV (aOR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.32–2.33), and other trauma (aOR:2.08, 95%CI:1.62–2.66), was associated with alcohol misuse. Exposure to an increasing number of abuse types, and other traumatic events, was independently associated with alcohol misuse. PTSS partially mediated the associations of CM, IPV, NPSV and other trauma exposures with alcohol misuse (ps ≤ 0.04 for indirect effects), but depression symptoms did not.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the need for trauma-informed interventions to address alcohol misuse that are tailored to the needs of women who have experienced violence.

Emotional Processing and Maltreatment During Childhood as Factors of Vulnerability to Alcohol Abuse in Young Adults

AbstractDifferent studies suggest a strong association between childhood abuse and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The modulation of the startle response has been used to assess emotional processing in AUDs. The main objective of the study was to investigate the startle reflex responses to different stimuli in young adults with varying types of childhood abuse in comparison with a control group according to their current alcohol consumption and the presence of a parent with alcohol dependence or not. A clinical sample of 606 adolescents, divided into five groups: no abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, were assessed on their pattern of alcohol consumption and their family history of alcoholism. The proportion of participants with at least one alcohol-dependent parent was higher in all types of abuse. The proportion of heavy drinkers and alcohol-dependent participants was higher in the groups with physical neglect and sexual abuse. Heavy drinkers and alcohol dependents showed a lower startle reflex response to emotional pictures, especially alcohol-related ones. Adolescents exposed to physical and sexual abuse during childhood showed a mitigated startle response to appetitive and alcohol-related pictures. The results of this exploratory study reveal that childhood maltreatment modulates emotional processing to alcohol-related stimuli during adolescence. The evaluation of these patients’ startle response could be considered a prognostic biomarker for establishing personalized preventive strategies during the adolescent stage to avoid, to a large extent, future problems derived from alcohol consumption.

Psychological abuse, internalising, and externalising behaviours of students: A latent profile analysis

This study aimed to explore the types of psychological abuse and their relationship with internalising and externalising behaviours among Chinese junior middle school students (n = 619; male = 49.1%, female = 50.9%; mean age = 13.5 years, SD = 1.152 years). Latent profile analysis revealed four psychological abuse profiles: low, medium-low, medium-high, and high. Those students with high psychological abuse profiles also reported high internalising and externalising behaviours compared to those with lower psychological abuse profiles. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that gender and school grade differences had a significant impact on psychological abuse profiles. This finding suggested that boys were more likely to have a high psychological abuse profile than girls, and students in Grade 8 were more likely to have a high psychological abuse profile than students in Grade 9. Our findings underscore the importance of designing and implementing psychological abuse treatment interventions by profiles of the children for higher efficacy in reducing the risk of internalising and externalising behaviours.