Experiences Of Abuse Research Articles

Unravelling the complexity of suicidality: a network analysis of theory-driven and culturally relevant suicide risk factors in a country with high suicide rates

Purpose This study aimed to explore whether individual theory-based constructs are sufficient in explaining suicidality in a culture marked by high suicide rates and whether, if any, culturally relevant factors need to be considered additionally. Methods The study used a community sample of 1873 Lithuanian adults (age M = 43.61 SD = 16.96, 69.1% female). A survey using online and pen-and-paper formats was conducted, measuring suicidality, the main constructs from two predominant theories of suicide (thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, acquired capability for suicide, and defeat and entrapment), and culturally relevant factors (gender role expectations, attitudes towards help-seeking, perfectionism, negative social comparisons, alcohol use, child-parent relationships and childhood experiences). Network analysis method was used in the analysis. Results From the key factors identified in the two theories perceived burdensomeness had stronger links with self-perceived risk for suicide compared to thwarted belongingness and entrapment. Acquired capability to suicide had no direct links with other factors in the network apart from a weak link with history of suicidal behavior. In the network some of the culturally relevant variables (reasons for alcohol use, experience of sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and cultural norms representing restricted emotionality and attitudes towards psychological help) had direct relationships with suicidality, not only via key theory based factors. Conclusions The results suggest the need to consider cultural context when applying universal suicide theories.

Dimensions of Child Maltreatment in Australians With a History of Out-of-Home Care.

Research suggests that the dimensions of childhood maltreatment (type, age of onset, duration, frequency and perpetrator) play an important role in determining health and wellbeing outcomes, though little information is available on these dimensions for any care experienced cohorts. This study aimed to determine if any variation in maltreatment dimensions were experienced between two subsets of the nationally representative Australian Child Maltreatment Study, both of which reported childhood maltreatment histories: care-experienced (n = 358) and non-care-experienced (n = 4922). Using a series of independent t-tests and chi-square tests, we compared the two groups on seven dimensions (number of maltreatment types, range of maltreatment items, age of onset, duration, frequency, perpetrator number, and perpetrator type) for the five child maltreatment types (physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence). Results showed that the care-experienced group reported a higher intensity of maltreatment, being younger when maltreatment first started, experiencing greater variety of maltreatment types, for longer periods, more times and by more perpetrators than maltreated people with no care experience. We conclude that children and young people in out-of-home care experience maltreatment at a higher intensity than the rest of the population, which has implications for effective treatment.

Examining childhood and adulthood stressors as risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus in working pregnant individuals: A prospective cohort study

AimsThis study aimed to examine the individual and joint associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and maternal work and non-work related stressors with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). MethodsWorking pregnant individuals (n = 1163) from a United States (U.S.) prospective cohort conducted in South Carolina between 2016 and 2021 were included in the study. ACEs were assessed at study enrollment before 20 gestational weeks (GW), while maternal stressors were assessed in late pregnancy and GDM diagnosis occurred between 24 and 30 GW. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to assess associations of ACEs and maternal stressors with GDM. ResultsChildhood abuse, an ACE subdomain, was associated with an elevated but statistically insignificant risk of GDM (adjusted OR = 1.47; 95 % CI: 0.85–2.53). Only maternal work stressors were associated with an increased risk of GDM (adjusted OR = 2.11; 95 % CI: 1.17–3.79) and the association became much stronger among those with childhood abuse experiences (adjusted OR = 3.80; 95 % CI:1.68–8.60). ConclusionAmong U.S. working pregnant individuals, having work stressors during pregnancy was associated with an elevated risk of developing GDM, particularly among those who had childhood experience of abuse.

Young Adults with a History of Residential Youth Care: A Cohort Profile of a Hard-to-Reach Population

Adults with a history of living in residential youth care (RYC) face elevated risks across various life domains. In this cohort profile paper, we outline the design of a comprehensive follow-up study—the VINGO study—targeting young adults (22–30 years) with a history of living in RYC (T2). We describe the recruitment strategy and present sample characteristics. Data were collected in the baseline study (T1) from 2011 to 2014. At T1, the 400 adolescent participants showed a high prevalence of mental disorders, maltreatment experiences, substance use, and self-reported suicide attempts. Data collection at T2 10 years later (2021–2023) included self-reported sociodemographic information, physical health, childhood maltreatment, dissociation, quality of life, social support, and self-esteem using standardized and validated instruments. A diagnostic psychiatric assessment and subjective evaluation of service utilization were conducted by telephone interviews. Additionally, a qualitative sub-study involved in-depth interviews of fourteen participants. We reached a 52% response rate at T2. Comparing participants (n = 157, 107 females) to non-participants (n = 243, 123 females) based on T1 data revealed that T2 participants had a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and conduct disorder and a lower prevalence of ADHD at T1. Furthermore, T2 participants reported more suicide attempts, experiences of maltreatment, and problematic substance use at T1. Our results show that we reached a burdened population, positioning the VINGO study as a unique opportunity to examine a vulnerable population of emerging adults.

Education beyond the limits: Addressing Violence against Women and Girls

Abstract This article is a contribution to a suite of papers on violence against women and girls. It sets out the context in which this issue is currently discussed, how it might be understood and how it can be addressed. Education is seen as a key mechanism for the prevention of gender-based violence through the transformation of the attitudes and beliefs that boys and young men hold about women and girls and what it means to be a man. This article considers the challenges of achieving this in the face of online influencers like Andrew Tate with their appeal to masculine entitlement and supremacy, often expressed in terms of misogynistic violence and coercion. Drawing on the work of Jacqueline Rose, Judith Butler and others, the paper argues that this is a task that involves creative and affective pedagogy as well as sustained critical engagement. There is, therefore, an important role for the arts and humanities in providing spaces for exploration, conversation and reflection about the embodied experience of violence and abuse. Through difficult educational encounters it may be possible to initiate a change in boys and young men from impervious thoughtlessness to a greater recognition and understanding of the impact of harassment and violence, both within the educational setting and beyond.

"I Didn't Have a Choice": Experiences, Responses and Perceived Motivations for Reproductive Coercion and Abuse in Australian Women.

This study explored reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) experiences of community-based victim/survivors, their responses to RCA, and perceived motivations for RCA. One hundred and one female RCA victim/survivors completed an online questionnaire. Intimate partners, family, friends, cultural/religious leaders, and health professionals were RCA perpetrators. Victim/survivors' RCA experiences were heterogeneous, incorporating a range of pregnancy-preventing and pregnancy-promoting RCA tactics. Women's response to RCA depended on how it was experienced; victim/survivors were more likely to reassert control when RCA was verbal and not physical. Finally, control was the primary motivator for RCA, followed by contextual factors, drug use, and religion/culture.

“I beat my wife to correct her…” perpetration of intimate partner violence by men in low-income settings of Ibadan municipality: a qualitative exploration

BackgroundGlobally, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem. Recent studies have focused on women’s experience of abuse. However, only few studies have documented men’s perpetration of abuse in low-income countries. This study describes male perpetrated IPV and triggers of IPV among men in low-income communities of Ibadan, Nigeria.MethodsThis qualitative study adopted a descriptive phenomenology method to understand the lived IPV experience of men in Ibadan, southwest, Nigeria. The study was conducted in five communities selected by simple random sampling from a list of low-income communities within Ibadan municipal. Fourteen In-Depth Interviews (IDI) were conducted among eligible men aged 26 to 50 years, selected by convenience sampling. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was done to generate themes and sub-themes using NVIVO software.ResultsThe forms of male perpetrated IPV included: physical, emotional, economic and controlling behaviour. Respondents also reported using money to control their wives. Sexual violence (marital rape) was not recognized as a form of IPV by the men interviewed. Participants disagreed that marital rape exist, because they believe that sex is an obligation of the wife to the husband. IPV was fostered by traditional marital expectations and ideals, norms that supported patriarchy, ‘wife’s disobedience’, domestic financial challenges.ConclusionMen perpetrated different forms of violence against their partners. IPV perpetration was encouraged by men’s beliefs as well as the social norms. Interventions to educate men on the consequences of IPV on individuals, families and communities are recommended.

Case Analysis of Women Experienced Abuse: with Special Reference to Beneficiaries of Parihar, Bangalore

Abstract Case Analysis in this article presents a consolidated analysis of five case studies of women who have experienced abuse, exploring the varying types of abuse, challenges faced, and systemic responses. The cases have been chosen from the individuals i.e women who especially approach the institution “Parihar” Bangalore seeking help or emotional support. span different cultural and socioeconomic contexts, highlighting the pervasive nature of abuse across the globe. Through detailed comparison, the article examines the role of economic dependency, legal protections, and social stigma in perpetuating abuse, as well as the importance of community and psychological support in recovery. The analysis underscores the need for stronger legal frameworks, community education, and economic empowerment to help women break free from abusive environments. “Parihar” is a charitable institution registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration act 1960, exempted under 80(G) of Income Tax Act. It is an initiative of Bengaluru City Police, and is managed by a dedicated, committed and successful team of professional counsellors, and police staff with vast experience in counselling and social work. Parihar undertakes charitable, philanthropic and socio–economic programs for the welfare of Women, Children and Family as a whole. Parihar’s implementation structure consists of mainly four important people, its Ex-officio President being the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Vice President and Nodal officer, is the Jt. Commissioner of Police (Crime) & Secretary is the Deputy Commissioner of Police(Admin) and Treasurer is the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) “Parihar” stands out for its ‘vision’ and ‘mission’ to work for the upliftment of women and children in today’s society with various challenges and positive attitude to redress the issues in a holistic manner.

Flourishing levels among health and non-health profession students in Saudi Arabian colleges

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the levels of flourishing among university students, compare these levels between students in health-related and non-health-related colleges, and identify factors that predict flourishing.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, involving 1,148 students from the first to fourth year across both academic sectors. Data were collected utilizing the self-reported Global Flourishing Study Questionnaire (GFS) during the period from September 2023 to June 2024. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to ensure a representative sample, with data collection facilitated through a self-administered electronic link on QuestionPro resulting in a response rate of 51.7%. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, incorporating descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis to identify predictors of flourishing. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson’s correlation analysis.ResultsThe study included nearly equal proportions of students from health (51.0%) and nonhealth (49.0%) colleges. The average flourishing score was 85.6 (SD=18.6), with a slight increase in health colleges (85.7) compared with non-health colleges (85.4). Factors that significantly affected flourishing included gender, employment status, exercise frequency, experiences of abuse, and income. In the multiple regression analysis, well-being emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by external factors, disposition, and behavior. Gender exhibited a positive association with flourishing, whereas religion had a negative influence. Furthermore, employment and higher income levels were found to positively contribute to flourishing.ConclusionThis study revealed elevated levels of flourishing among university students in Saudi Arabia, with a notable average score of 85.6. Although the differences between students enrolled in health-related and non-health-related colleges were minimal, significant predictors of flourishing were identified, including well-being, external factors, disposition and behavior, gender, religious affiliation, employment status, income, frequency of exercise, and experience of abuse. These findings underscore the complexity of flourishing and highlight the necessity of considering a range of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors to promote student well-being.

Patterns of Adolescent Peer Affiliation among Youth At-Risk of Maltreatment

This study examined patterns of peer affiliations and their associations with child maltreatment, substance use, and future expectations. This study focused on 844 adolescents from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. We identified four distinct peer-affiliation patterns: (1) no affiliation with peers who engage in either prosocial or deviant behaviors; (2) affiliation with peers using substances; (3) affiliation with peers who engage in severe deviant behaviors; and (4) affiliation with peers who engage in prosocial behaviors. Youth with sexual abuse experiences were more likely to be affiliated with peers who engage in severe deviant or prosocial behaviors. We also found different substance use and future expectations depending on peer affiliations. This study highlights the importance of examining both prosocial and deviant peer affiliations.

Association between Sexual Abuse Experience and Salivary Stress Biomarkers among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals in Chennai – A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Gender-nonconforming people undergo unimaginable sexual and physical abuse. This leads to stress and other stress-related disorders which can be easily determined by salivary stress biomarkers. Early life stress has an association with the immune system linked with stress. Transgenders and gender nonconforming people are prone to sexual abuse in early life more compared to normal people. This study aims to know about the association between sexual and physical abuse experience and salivary stress biomarkers in Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional epidemiological study. A snowball sampling design was adopted. The study was conducted in various places in Thozhi Shelter for Transgenders, Chetpet, Chennai among Gender non-conforming individuals and Transgenders. This study was conducted in April 2022. MDA and IL-6 levels were determined from their saliva using the passive drool method. Result: Interleukin L 6 and MDA levels were significantly higher in the GNC Group than in the control group. 63.64% of Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals experienced sexual abuse whereas 73% of them have experienced physical abuse in their lifetime. Conclusion: Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals who experienced physical/sexual abuse have increased IL 6 levels and decreased MDA levels in saliva when compared to the non-transgender individuals.

‘Flow’: A Film About the Disclosure of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Trauma-informed care is growing in importance in health and social care, with disclosure as a vital first step. Yet evidence suggests that individual interactions with professionals may not facilitate trauma disclosure. ‘Flow’ aimed to address this. The film represents a high-quality, behaviour change resource that can be utilised in a wide range of circumstances. It was co-produced by representatives from the University of Sheffield, NHS England, the Department of Health and people with lived experience of childhood sexual abuse. The film follows the story of Amy, who is preparing for her art exhibition when a comment reignites traumatic childhood memories. She wants to approach her General Practitioner for help but is hindered both by family loyalty and barriers to disclosure within the NHS. ‘Flow’ has been used both in statutory services and non-governmental organisations, as well as being selected for inclusion in two film festivals. It represents an innovative way to communicate research results and foster change.

Interaction of Val66Met Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and 5-HTTLPR Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphisms with Lifetime Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Primary Care Patients

Background/Objectives: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This longitudinal study aimed to explore the connection between two specific genetic polymorphisms, Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR, and the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in patients from primary care settings. We also examined the role of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors to provide a more comprehensive view of PTSD risk. Methods: We recruited a cohort of primary care patients and diagnosed PTSD using a standardized diagnostic interview. Genetic analyses focused on Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms. We applied logistic regression to assess the association between these genetic markers and PTSD, considering factors such as gender, family history of depression, and experiences of childhood maltreatment. Results: Our findings show that women, individuals with a family history of depression, and those exposed to childhood maltreatment have a higher risk of developing PTSD. While the Val66Met polymorphism was not significantly associated with PTSD, the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism showed a marginal relationship. No significant interaction was found between the two polymorphisms in relation to PTSD. Conclusions: This study underscores the multifactorial nature of PTSD, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The findings point to the importance of further research on genetic predispositions and highlight the value of early interventions for high-risk populations in primary care settings.

The gendered trauma trajectories of mothers entering prison

Research has shown that many women involved in the criminal justice system have prior experiences of trauma and victimisation. This paper, based on qualitative narrative research with mothers, identifies the specific gendered trauma trajectories of mothers with experience of custody in England. This includes experiences of domestic abuse, removal of children and issues with perinatal mental health. In many instances, these issues are closely interrelated adding further layers of cumulative impact to the trauma experienced. Drawing on trauma theory and pathways theory, these experiences are then analysed and suggestions for mitigating the impact of this trauma are proposed.

The balancing act of fitting in: A grounded theory study on how patients with posttraumatic stress disorder following childhood maltreatment experience participating in a randomized controlled psychotherapy study.

The balancing act of fitting in: A grounded theory study on how patients with posttraumatic stress disorder following childhood maltreatment experience participating in a randomized controlled psychotherapy study.

Incidence and Correlates of Husband-Perpetrated Rape Among Currently Married Women in Nigeria.

Husband-perpetrated rape (HPR), which implies every form of unwilling sex with a husband as a result of force, threat or drug, is rarely discussed or reported, and it has been quite understudied in Nigeria. Hence, this study answers two questions: What is the incidence of HPR, and what are the correlates among currently married women in Nigeria? Descriptive and multi-level logistic regression tools are used to analyze data from a sub-sample of 1,583 currently married women (16 years and above) surveyed in a larger survey conducted in mid-2022. The results suggest that the national incidence rate of HPR among currently married women in Nigeria is 20%. Although any married woman could experience HPR anywhere, the main correlates that are likely to elevate the risk in Nigeria are childhood sexual abuse experience (OR = 3.9, p < .001, 95% CI [2.9, 5.2]), membership in Yoruba ethnic group (OR = 2.7, p < .001, [1.7, 4.3]), and having husbands who smoke (OR = 2.4, p < .001, [1.7, 3.4]). Other minor risk factors are minority ethnic groups membership (OR = 2.1, p < .01, [1.4, 3.3]), husband's substance use (OR = 1.7, p < .001, [1.3, 2.2]), childhood family situation wherein parents separated/divorced (OR = 1.8, p < .01, [1.3, 2.6]) and membership of the Igbo ethnic group (OR = 1.7, p < .05, [1.1, 2.8]). Therefore, to reduce HPR experience in Nigeria, appropriate organs should design and implement an invigorated child protection law targeting childhood sexual abuse reduction. An aggressive campaign against smoking and substance consumption among married men is also imperative. Also, a sustained campaign against HPR using multiple media all over Nigeria is crucial.

Linking early emotional abuse/neglect with young adolescents’ social (versus general) anxiety symptoms: A developmental cascade through emotion regulation

Despite the widely documented implications of childhood emotional abuse/neglect for subsequent anxiety symptoms, the implicated mechanisms remain under-revealed, especially the various transdiagnostic and specific pathways related to early experiences of emotional abuse versus emotional neglect and different types of subsequent anxiety symptoms (social versus general). Using three-wave data from 844 Chinese adolescents (Meanage = 13.21 at Wave 1, SD = 0.39; 53 % Boys), we tested emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) as explanatory mechanisms underlying the links between childhood emotional abuse/neglect and subsequent social anxiety symptoms (SAS), while simultaneously considering general anxiety symptoms (GAS) for the identification of possible specificity. Results indicated that expressive suppression played a mediating role in the links between emotional neglect and both forms of anxiety symptoms, whereas cognitive reappraisal served as a linking mechanism only for the link between emotional neglect and GAS. No effects were identified for emotional abuse. All associations were identified after controlling for the baseline levels of anxiety symptoms, the baseline uses of emotion regulation strategies, and covariates (age, gender, and family socioeconomic status). Our findings re-confirm that emotion regulation is an important intermediate process accounting for anxiety-related sequelae of early emotional deprivation, suggesting that expressive suppression appears to be a more developmentally transdiagnostic process shaped particularly by early emotional neglect to contribute to different types of subsequent anxiety symptoms. Accordingly, educational and clinical practices on emotion regulation likely benefit the affective well-being of young adolescents whose childhood has been clouded with emotional neglect.

Muslim Women's Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse: A Meta-Ethnography of Global Evidence.

Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a form of interpersonal violence perpetrated by intimate partners or family members. It includes physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as coercive and controlling behaviors. DVA is associated with severe physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences for the victims. Muslim women, like women from all communities, experience DVA in its various forms, however, they may experience additional barriers when seeking support. This review was conducted using a meta-ethnography approach to synthesize published qualitative evidence on Muslim women's perspectives and experiences of DVA. A systematic search of global evidence in six electronic English databases including Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ASSIA identified a total of 33 qualitative studies that met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis of these studies revealed four major themes: the experience and impacts of abuse; risk factors contributing to abuse; help-seeking; and the coping strategies of Muslim women. These findings emphasize the importance of religion not only as a risk factor for violence and a barrier to help-seeking but also as a coping strategy for dealing with violence. The findings offer important insights for policymaking and in supporting these women more effectively.

Child Maltreatment Increases the Risk for Callous-Unemotional Traits: A Three-Level Meta-Analytic Review.

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are characterized by lack of remorse and guilt, lack of empathy, and shallow and deficient emotions. A growing body of research has examined the association between child maltreatment and CU traits. However, empirical findings on this association are inconclusive. Therefore, this meta-analytic review aimed to examine the overall association between child maltreatment and CU traits and potentially moderating variables. After searching five databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE, and CNKI), a total of 37 studies (N = 26,010 participants) yielding 165 effect sizes were synthesized in three-level meta-analytic models. Results showed that child maltreatment is significantly and positively related to CU traits (mean r = .183; p < .001). Moderator analyses showed that this association is larger in females than in males, larger in community samples (r = .243) than in clinical samples (r = .073), and in terms of CU trait dimensions stronger for callousness (r = .251) than for uncaring (r = .134) and unemotional dimensions (r = .050). It is concluded that child maltreatment is a risk factor for the development of CU traits and discussed that interventions for CU traits in antisocial groups should be aware of the environmental influence of interpersonal trauma resulting from childhood maltreatment experiences.

Evaluation of Psychological Symptoms in Terms of Childhood Traumas, Spirituality, and Conflict Tactics in Sheltered Battered Women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological symptoms in terms of childhood traumas, spirituality and conflict styles in women victims of violence staying in women's shelters. Violence against women is a major public health problem. Spiritual values and practices are especially important for women to cope with the negative effects of violence. The study was conducted in women's shelters in two provinces of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Türkiye. The sample consisted of 92 women who had been subjected to violence and stayed in a women's shelter for at least 15 days. The data were collected using the "Brief Symptom Inventory", "Conflict Tactic Scale", "Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS)", "Childhood Abuse Experiences Scale Short Form", and "Introductory Information Form" created by the researcher, and the data obtained were evaluated in SPSS 22.0 program. Frequency, percentage, Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the evaluation of the data. In all statistical analyses, p<0.05 was accepted as the significance level. It was found that 64.1% of the women in the study had at least one psychiatric diagnosis and major depression was in the first place (32.2%). According to the mean scores of the Brief Symptom Inventory, the relationships between all subdimensions except the somatization subdimension and the mean scores of the SWBS were found to be inversely significant at p<0.05 significance level. According to the mean scores of the SWBS, the relationships between all subdimensions except the transcendence subdimension and the mean scores of the Conflict Methods Scale were found to be inversely significant at the p<0.05 level of significance. According to the findings obtained from the study, it has been concluded that women should be encouraged to support them in order to be able to cope with the mental problems experienced in the psychiatric sense and to realize their spiritual beliefs and practices.