Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Total Score Research Articles

An Investigation of Dissociative Symptoms and Related Factors in Autistic Adolescents.

Despite exposure to trauma and adverse life events being frequently reported in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), few studies have examined the relationship between these factors and dissociative symptoms in the autistic population. The aim of the study is to investigate symptoms of dissociation in autistic adolescents, and to explore factors that could be associated with dissociative symptoms in ASD. This cross-sectional study involved 59 autistic adolescents between 12 and 18years old, with the mean age of 14.3 ± 1.8. Dissociation, autism characteristics, childhood traumas, peer bullying, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed using the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (ADES), the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Nine-Item Child-Adolescent Bullying Screen (CABS-9), and the Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), respectively. Results from the ADES revealed that 12.5% of the participants scored above the threshold for dissociative disorders. In the linear regression model constructed to evaluate factors associated with dissociative symptoms, an increase in dissociative symptoms was statistically significantly associated with an increase in the total CTQ score (p = 0.002) and age (p = 0.006). The findings of the study indicate that dissociative symptoms may occur in autistic adolescents. It is suggested that dissociative symptoms observed in autistic adolescents may particularly be associated with childhood traumas and increasing age. Further research into dissociative symptoms in ASD is warranted, requiring larger sample sizes, specialized measurement scales, and structured interviews.

(PM-18) EXPLORING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HYPERSEXUALITY AND SEX HORMONE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY IN BRAZILIAN MEN

Abstract Introduction Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) or hypersexual behavior has gained global attention due to its adverse impact on health. However, there is just a few data on sex hormones of people reporting CSBD/hypersexual behavior. Objective Here, we investigate correlations between CSBD/hypersexual behavior and sex hormone in a sample of 34 Brazilian men who met the diagnostic criteria for CSBD/hypersexual disorder. Methods After ethical approval, participants provided informed consent and were assessed through the Instrument of Investigation of CSBD Diagnostic Criteria – ICD11, Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory (HDSI), Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI), Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Additionally, participants' basal blood levels were evaluated. Results The sample had a mean age of 38.2 years (SD ± 10.05). The median hormone levels of total testosterone 484 ng/dL [356;560], free testosterone 372 pmol/L [285;472], prolactin 9.50 ng/mL [8.30;13.4], estradiol 23.9 pg/mL [23.9;27.5], SHBG 26.7 nmol/L [21.8;33.5], FSH 4.10 IU/L [2.8;5.3], and LH 2.90 IU/L [2.18;3.85]. Mean scores for HDSI, CSBI, SCS, and CTQ were 23.2 (SD ± 3.80), 66.3 (SD ± 8.26), 33.7 (SD ± 4.14), and 37.6 (SD ± 8.03), respectively. Spearman's correlation analyses showed a positive correlation between total with free testosterone levels (Rho: 0.87); Total testosterone levels with SHBG (Rho: 0.59); a negative correlation between total and free testosterone levels with SCS score (Rho: –0.38; Rho: –0.35, respectively); a negative correlation between LH levels and CTQ total scores (Rho: –0.63); a negative correlation between CSBI with SCS scores (Rho: –0.58). Conclusion Our data shows the first exploration between hypersexuality and sex hormones in a Brazilian men sample, supporting previous findings about a relationship of testosterone levels with SCS scores in hypersexual individuals. Financing FAPESP.

An examination of individuals with and without involvement in crime in terms of family climate and childhood traumas

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of family climate and childhood trauma on individuals with involvement in crime compared to individuals with no involvement in crime. The data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Family Climate Scale (FCS), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). FCS cognitive cohesion subscale scores were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group, while CTQ emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and overprotection subscale, and total CTQ scores were significantly higher. Within that context, we recommend that interventions targeting the families of children and young people and other adults with whom they are in contact be prioritized in endeavors to prevent child delinquency and also chronic criminality persisting in adulthood.

Childhood trauma and self-stigma in mood disorders

Childhood maltreatment and mood disorders are associated and linked to self-stigma. In this study, we assessed the relationship between childhood trauma and self-stigma in patients with mood disorders. Patients with bipolar disorder (n ​= ​69) and unipolar disorder (n ​= ​111) were recruited from the Mood Disorders Unit of the Geneva University Hospitals in Switzerland. All participants underwent a semi-structured interview to assess mood disorder and fulfilled the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI) scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The results showed that overall self-stigma was not significantly different between the groups. Linear regression modeling revealed that the ISMI total score was significantly associated with the CTQ total score (estimate ​= ​0.01, p ​= ​0.045). Our findings support the assumption that childhood trauma promotes the development of self-stigma in patients with mood disorders. Therefore, this study underscores the importance of assessing childhood trauma in the management of self-stigma in patients with unipolar and bipolar disorder.

Impact of childhood maltreatment on adult resilience

BackgroundPrevious studies suggested that childhood maltreatment is associated with poor health outcomes. While not everyone who experiences abuse as a child goes on to experience poor mental health, some traumatized people are grown to be more resilient than others. Few studies have examined the association between childhood maltreatment and adult resilience. This study aimed to determine different relationships between specific types and features of childhood maltreatment with adult resilience among Chinese with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HCs).MethodsA total of 101 patients with MDD and 116 participants in the healthy control (HC) group from Zhumadian Psychiatric Hospital and its nearby communities were included in this analysis. Childhood maltreatment was assessed retrospectively using Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Adults’ resilience was assessed by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Generalized linear models were applied between childhood maltreatment (specific types and features) and resilience adjusting for covariates.ResultsThe total score of CD-RISC and factor scores of strength, optimism, and tenacity in the HC group were higher than those in the MDD group. CTQ total score had a negative association with optimism score among participants in MDD (β=-0.087, P < 0.001) and HC (β=-0.074, P = 0.023) groups. Higher emotional neglect (EN) score (β=-0.169, P = 0.001) and physical neglect (PN) score (β=-0.153, P = 0.043) were related to a worse optimism score in MDD group. Emotional abuse (EA) score was associated with a worse tenacity score (β=-0.674, P = 0.031) in MDD group. For participants in HC group, higher EN and PN scores were related to worse resilience scores (tenacity, strength, and optimism).ConclusionsPatients with MDD showed lower optimism than HCs. Childhood maltreatment, especially childhood negect, independently contributed to optimism, with more severe childhood maltreatment predictive of worse performance of optimism. EA in childhood was also linked to worse tenacity in adult patients with MDD.

Sex Effects on the Relationship between Stress and Psychosis in Schizophrenia

Stress has an important role in schizophrenia symptomology and many stress-related biological and psychological responses are sex-specific. Previous studies have established links between schizophrenia and stress-related hormones, subjectively experienced stress, and history of stressful experiences respectively. We hypothesized that the relationship between stress and psychosis in schizophrenia would be sex-dependent. N=52 patients with schizophrenia (38.4±14.0 years, 37 males) and N=41 healthy controls (45.3±15.4 years, 17 males) were evaluated for stress and symptoms. Stress was quantified by overnight urinary norepinephrine (NE) levels, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Major Life Events Checklist (MLEs) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Symptoms severity was assessed using the psychosis subscale of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS). We examined the relationship between NE, PSS, MLEs, and CTQ and the BPRS psychosis and BNSS total scores and evaluated the significance of sex by stress interaction. Patients had significantly higher PSS, MLEs, and CTQ (all p < 0.05) and trend-level higher NE (p = 0.06) than controls. Significant sex by stress interaction was observed for BPRS psychosis in patients. For male, BPRS psychosis was significantly positively associated with urinary NE (p = 0.004) and the CTQ total score (p = 0.0003). For female, BPRS psychosis was significantly positively associated with total PSS (p = 0.02). Preliminary analyses supported sex-dependent relationship between stress and psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Replication in a larger sample was necessary to confirm these sex-dependent relationships.

Network analysis of plasma proteomes in affective disorders

The conventional differentiation of affective disorders into major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) has insufficient biological evidence. Utilizing multiple proteins quantified in plasma may provide critical insight into these limitations. In this study, the plasma proteomes of 299 patients with MDD or BD (aged 19–65 years old) were quantified using multiple reaction monitoring. Based on 420 protein expression levels, a weighted correlation network analysis was performed. Significant clinical traits with protein modules were determined using correlation analysis. Top hub proteins were determined using intermodular connectivity, and significant functional pathways were identified. Weighted correlation network analysis revealed six protein modules. The eigenprotein of a protein module with 68 proteins, including complement components as hub proteins, was associated with the total Childhood Trauma Questionnaire score (r = −0.15, p = 0.009). Another eigenprotein of a protein module of 100 proteins, including apolipoproteins as hub proteins, was associated with the overeating item of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (r = 0.16, p = 0.006). Functional analysis revealed immune responses and lipid metabolism as significant pathways for each module, respectively. No significant protein module was associated with the differentiation between MDD and BD. In conclusion, childhood trauma and overeating symptoms were significantly associated with plasma protein networks and should be considered important endophenotypes in affective disorders.

Suicidality in civilian women with PTSD: Possible link to childhood maltreatment, proinflammatory molecules, and their genetic variations

BackgroundPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a robust risk factor for suicide. Studies have suggested an association between suicide and elevated inflammatory markers, although such evidence in PTSD is scarce. Suicide risk, PTSD, and inflammatory molecules are all shown to be associated with childhood maltreatment and genetic factors. MethodsWe examined the association between suicidal ideation/risk and inflammatory markers in 83 civilian women with PTSD, and explored the possible influence of childhood maltreatment and inflammatory genes. Suicidal ideation and risk were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Childhood maltreatment history was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Blood levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity tumor necrosis factor-α were measured. Genetic polymorphisms of CRP rs2794520 and IL6 rs1800796 were genotyped. ResultsSuicidal ideation was significantly positively correlated with hsCRP (p = 0.002) and IL-6 (p = 0.015) levels. Suicide risk weighted score was significantly positively correlated with hsCRP (p = 0.016) levels. The risk alleles of CRP rs2794520 and IL6 rs1800796 leading to increased respective protein levels were dose-dependently associated with higher risk of suicide (p = 0.007 and p = 0.029, respectively). The CTQ total score was significantly correlated with suicidal ideation and risk, but not with inflammatory marker levels. Furthermore, a multivariate regression analysis controlling for PTSD severity and potential confounders revealed that rs2794520 and rs1800796, but not hsCRP or IL-6 levels, significantly predicted suicidal ideation (p < 0.001) and risk (p = 0.007), respectively. ConclusionGenetic variations within inflammatory genes might be useful in detecting PTSD patients at high risk of suicide.

0147 Does Sleep Regularity Link Child Maltreatment to Depressive Symptoms among Incoming First-Year College Students?

Abstract Introduction Sleep patterns may partially account for associations between early life adversity and poor health outcomes; however, few studies have empirically tested this hypothesis. We examined whether an index of sleep regularity mediated associations between child maltreatment (CM) and depression symptoms among emerging adults undergoing the major life transition of starting college. Methods First-year college students (N=731; 41% male; 48% Non-Hispanic White, 21% Non-Hispanic Asian, 15% Hispanic all races, 5% Non-Hispanic Black, and 11% Non-Hispanic other races) completed daily sleep diaries (DSDs) for 9 weeks and completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) following DSD completion. DSD data were used to compute participants’ Sleep Regularity Index (SRI). We used a nonparametric SEM bootstrap approach to examine whether sleep regularity mediated associations between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms, controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and US vs. international status. Separate models were run for CTQ total score and five CTQ subscale scores: emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and physical and emotional neglect. Results The prevalence of moderate to severe CM was 20.7%, and 40% reported clinically significant depressive symptoms at the end of the assessment period. Significant indirect effects of CTQ total score (estimate=0.02, 95% CI=0.003, 0.036); emotional abuse (0.06 [0.004, 0.107]); physical abuse (0.08 [0.003, 0.164]); sexual abuse (0.06 [0.014, 0.114]); emotional neglect (0.04 [0.002, 0.075]) on greater depression symptoms through lower sleep regularity were observed; and we saw no significant indirect effect of physical neglect (0.04 [-0.015, 0.089]). The percentage of the total effect of CM (i.e., CTQ total score and subscale scores) on greater depressive symptoms accounted for by lower sleep regularity were CTQ total score: 6%; physical abuse: 24%; sexual abuse: 19%; emotional abuse: 7%; and emotional neglect: 5%. Conclusion Variable sleep patterns account, in part, for associations between CM and depressive symptoms among first-year college students, with the largest effects observed for physical and sexual abuse. Sleep regularity should be included as a target in student health interventions on college campuses and may help buffer against poor mental health outcomes for students with CM. Support (if any) P20GM139743, MH079179, T32HD101392, P20GM139767.

Childhood trauma and its influence on the clinical features of bipolar disorder

BackgroundChildhood trauma is an environmental risk factor for bipolar disorder (BD), But its influence on the clinical features of BD has not been examined sufficiently. ObjectiveWe compared the childhood trauma between patients with BD and healthy controls (HCs) and determined how childhood trauma impacts clinical features, such as severity, mood episodes, and disease duration. Participants and settingThe study population comprised patients with BD (in a state of euthymia or depression, n = 90) and HCs (n = 94). MethodsThe Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders was used to diagnose BD and ascertain its clinical features. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to assess childhood trauma. ResultsThe total CTQ score and scores for the CTQ subscales emotional abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect, significantly differed between the BD and HC groups. Emotional abuse was correlated with higher Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) score and more frequent mood episodes; emotional neglect was correlated with higher HARS score, longer disease duration, and more mood episodes; and total CTQ score was positively correlated with HARS score, disease duration, and mood episodes. Regression analysis showed that emotional neglect significantly predicted HARS score, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score, and disease duration in the BD group (P < 0.05). ConclusionsPatients with BD have more serious childhood trauma. General childhood trauma, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect negatively affect the clinical features of BD.

Specific correlation between childhood trauma and social cognition in Chinese Han first-episode, drug-naïve major depressive disorder

BackgroundChildhood trauma (CT) is a significant factor affecting social cognition in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the relationship between CT, social cognition, and MDD is still not well-understood. MethodsA total of 251 Han Chinese participants, comprising 117 first-episode drug-naïve MDD patients and 134 healthy controls (HCs), were recruited. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Interpersonal Reactivity Index–C (IRI), and Facial Emotion Recognition Test were used to measure CT and social cognition. Partial correlations were conducted to analyze the association between CT and social cognition. ResultsOur results showed that no significant correlation was observed between CTQ total score and social cognition in MDD (p > 0.05), while it was different in HCs (TAS-20 total score: r = 0.21, p = 0.016; difficulty identifying feelings (DIF): r = 0.219, p = 0.012; perspective-taking (PT): r = −0.214, p = 0.014; recognizing neutral facial emotions: r = −0.4, p < 0.001). CTQ subtyping analysis revealed that CTQ subscale scores in MDD were significantly correlated with PT, personal distress (PD), and recognizing angry facial emotions. Interestingly, physical abuse score was positively correlated with PT in MDD (r = 0.219, p = 0.019) but negatively with PT in HCs (r = −0.276, p = 0.001). LimitationsInsufficient sample size and cross-sectional designs. ConclusionThe correlation between CT and social cognition in MDD was weakened or reversed compared to HCs, highlighting the need for further investigation to determine the cause of this specific correlation.

Association between childhood trauma and white matter deficits in first-episode schizophrenia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood trauma (ChT) and white matter (WM) deficits in first-episode schizophrenia (FES). MethodsA total of 103 individuals with FES and 206 healthy control individuals (HCs) were enrolled and assessed based on ChT Questionnaire (CTQ) and Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS). Diffusion tensor imaging was acquired on a Signa 3.0 T scanner. Map of fractional anisotropy (FA) was analyzed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations of sociodemographic characteristics, total CTQ scores, and WM deficits. ResultsCompared with the HCs group, the FES group showed significantly lower FA in several WM bundles (left anterior thalamic radiation, left inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus, left cingulum, forceps major, and forceps minor), and the mean FA value in these WM bundles was inversely related to the total CTQ score. In addition, a higher CTQ score may increase the risk of schizophrenia, while higher FA values may decrease the risk of schizophrenia. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that individuals with FES evince widespread cerebral WM abnormalities and that these abnormalities were associated with ChT. These results provide clues about the neural basis and potential biomarkers of schizophrenia.

Regional superficial amygdala resting-state functional connectivity in adults infers childhood maltreatment severity.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a potential risk factor for some neuropsychiatric disorders in adulthood (e.g. depression and anxiety) and alters trajectories of brain development. Accumulating evidence suggests that functional connectivity of the limbic system, especially the amygdala, is highly associated with childhood maltreatment, although not all studies have found this. These inconsistent results may be due to differential alterations of amygdala resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) following childhood maltreatment. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between the rsFC of amygdala subregions and CM severity, as well as to develop a stable rsFC-based model for inferring the severity of CM. In this study, we employed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to assess CM severity in each individual. We explored the relationship between the rsFC of amygdala subregions (i.e. centromedial -CMA, basolateral -BLA, superficial-SFA amygdala) and CM experience in a discovery dataset of n=110 healthy Chinese participants by linear multiple regression analysis. Subsequent dimensional and categorical approach were performed to elucidate the relationship between rsFCs and CM severity and CM subtypes, respectively. A support vector regression model was then conducted to validate the associations between rsFCs and total CTQ scores. Moreover, we also verified the model into another independent replication dataset (n=38). Our findings suggested that childhood maltreatment was negatively associated with rsFC between the right superficial amygdala and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC)/postcentral gyrus (PCG) but not the other two amygdala subregions. Moreover, SFA-pgACC coupling was more associated with physical neglect whereas the SFA-PCG was more related to emotional neglect. In addition, supervised machine learning confirmed that using these two rsFCs as predictors could stably estimate continuous maltreatment severity in both discovery and replication datasets. The current study supports that the rsFCs of superficial amygdala are related to childhood maltreatment and which may be a potential biomarker for the effects of childhood maltreatment-related psychiatric disorders (i.e. depression and anxiety).

Course of bipolar disorder in patients with Childhood maltreatment

IntroductionPatients with mood disorders have the greater frequency of childhood trauma compared with the general population, and adverse childhood experiences can exert a negative impact on their clinical course. Therefore, many studies confirmed the relationship between childhood traumas and the disadvantageous features of the illness course.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of negative childhood experiences on the clinical course of bipolar disorder.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study involving patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and followed in the psychiatric department at the University Hospital of Sfax (Tunisia).Personal information form and Childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) were used for data acquisition. Euthymia was defined as a score on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) not higher than 14 and by a score on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) not higher than seven.ResultsWe included 35 patients. Their mean age was 46.69 ± 12.01 years with a sex ratio (M/F)=0.45.The average onset of bipolar disorder was 28.37±10.26 years and the average disease duration was 18.26 ± 11.55 years.Almost the third of our population had a suicidal attempt (31.42%) and a violence history (28.57%). A family history of bipolar disorder was found in 57.14% of the patients.The patients have been hospitalized at least once in 42.85% of cases.Our patients have presented psychotic symptoms in 51.42% of cases and mixed characteristics in 57.14% of cases.Emotional, physical and sexual abuse were reported by 42.85%, 37.14% , 31,42% of patients, respectively, while 74,28% and 42.85% of patients reported physical neglect and emotional neglect.Early age at illness onset was significantly associated with total CTQ score (p=0.014) and the subtype sexual abuse (p=0.009). The presence of psychotic symptomswas significantly associated with total CTQ score (p=0.003) and emotional neglect (p=0.025). Physical neglect was associated with mixed characteristics (p=0.015). Emotional abuse was associated with a greater number of hospitalisations (p=0.023).ConclusionsOur results suggest that childhood trauma is associated with a more severe course of bipolar illness. Clinical assessment of patients with bipolar disorder should include investigation of exposure to childhood trauma in order to determine appropriate therapeutic strategies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Differential associations of childhood adversity subtypes and psychopathology in men and women

IntroductionPrior evidence suggests that men and women might be differentially susceptible to distinct types of childhood adversity (CA), but research on gender-specific associations between CA subtypes and psychiatric symptoms is limited.ObjectivesTo test the gender-specific associations of CA subtypes and psychiatric symptoms in the general population.MethodsData from 791 twins and siblings from the TwinssCan project were used. Psychopathology and CA exposure were assessed using the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), respectively. The associations between the total CTQ scores and SCL-90 scores (i.e. total SCL-90, psychoticism, paranoid ideation, anxiety, depression, somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, and phobic anxiety) were tested in men and women separately. The associations between the five CA subtypes (i.e. physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect) and total SCL-90 were tested in a mutually adjusted model. As exploratory analyses, the associations between all CA subtypes and the nine SCL-90 subdomain scores were similarly tested. The regression coefficients between men and women were compared using Chow’s test. All models were adjusted for age and family structure.ResultsTotal CTQ was significantly associated with total SCL-90 in men (B = 0.013, SE = 0.003, P &lt; .001) and women (B = 0.011, SE = 0.002, P &lt; .001). The associations with the nine symptom domains were also significant in both genders (P &lt; .001). No significant gender differences in the regression coefficients of total CTQ were detected. The analyses of CA subtypes showed a significant association between emotional abuse and total SCL-90 in women (B = 0.173, SE = 0.030, P &lt; .001) and men (B = 0.080, SE = 0.035, P = .023), but the association was significantly stronger in women (ꭓ2(1) = 4.10, P = .043). The association of sexual abuse and total SCL-90 was only significant in women (B = 0.217, SE = 0.053, P &lt; .001). The associations of emotional neglect (B = 0.061, SE = 0.027, P = .026) and physical neglect (B = 0.167, SE = 0.043, P &lt; .001) with total SCL-90 were only significant in men. The explorative analyses of SCL-90 subdomains revealed significant associations of emotional abuse with all nine symptom domains and of sexual abuse with seven symptom domains in women. Significant associations of physical neglect with six symptom domains and of emotional neglect with depression were also detected in men. No other significant associations between CT subtypes and total SCL-90 or symptom domain scores were observed in men and women.ConclusionsCA exposure was associated with diverse psychopathology similarly in both genders. However, women are more sensitive to abuse, but men are more sensitive to neglect. Gender-specific influences of CA subtypes on psychopathology should be considered in future studies.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Regular cannabis use is associated with history of childhood and lifetime trauma in a non-clinical community sample

Higher rate of substance use, including cannabis, has been reported in individuals with a history of childhood trauma, but less is known about the association between cannabis use with lifetime history of trauma and chronic stress, and potential gender differences in this association. This study systematically examined this association in a cross-sectional study of 841 individuals recruited between 2007 and 2012 from the community in New Haven, Connecticut. The Cumulative Adversity Index (CAI) was used to measure cumulative lifetime major life events, life trauma, and recent life events and chronic stress. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to measure childhood trauma. Current and regular use of drugs were assessed using self-report questionnaires and objectively verified with urine drug testing. Higher rates of childhood trauma as well as lifetime trauma, and major life events were found in cannabis users, compared to non-users. The association between cannabis use with childhood trauma (total CTQ scores) was significant after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and regular use of alcohol or cocaine. In logistic regression analysis, cannabis use had a significant positive association with major life events and lifetime trauma, but not with chronic stress, controlling for confounding factors including age, gender, ethnicity, and regular use of alcohol and cocaine. When analyzed separately, only in women the association between cannabis use and childhood trauma was significant. These associations point to further assessment of the impact of these gender differences on neurobiology of stress and cannabis misuse risk.

Intergenerational impact of childhood trauma on hair cortisol concentrations in mothers and their young infants

BackgroundAlterations in stress regulation and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during infancy may be a risk factor for the development of psychopathology later in life. Maternal childhood trauma, depression, anxiety and stressful life events are individually associated with HPA axis dysregulation. Less is known about their interdependent influence on maternal and infant stress regulation in at risk populations. In a sample of mothers with a history of depressive-, and/or anxiety disorders and their infants we explored if a history of maternal childhood trauma, current depressive and anxiety symptomatology, and recent life events were associated with maternal and infant long-term cortisol levels three months postpartum. MethodsData were available of 89 mothers and 49 infants. All mothers fulfilled criteria for a lifetime depressive or anxiety disorder. Diagnosis was established with a diagnostic interview. Current depressive symptomatology was assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), current anxiety with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), maternal childhood trauma with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and recent life events with the Everyday Problem Checklist (EPC). Maternal and infant hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were quantified with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) three months after birth. Total scores of the CTQ and subscales, EPDS, STAI, and EPC were regressed on maternal and infant HCC using regression analyses. Differences in HCC regarding trauma history were tested with t-tests. Potential confounders were identified and adjusted for. ResultsIn regression analyses, a positive curvilinear relationship was found between CTQ total score and maternal HCC (n = 83, B = 0.076, SE 0.033, p = .021), but not for current depression (n = 88, B = −0.001, SE 0.011, p = .931), current anxiety (n = 88, B = 0.002, SE 0.004, p = .650) or recent life events (n = 89, B = 0.018, SE 0.032, p = .568). Analyses were adjusted for confounders. A negative linear relationship was found between maternal CTQ score and infant HCC (n = 49, β = −0.264, B = −0.006, SE 0.003, p = .052), but not for current maternal depression (n = 45, β = −0.182, B = −0.011, SE 0.008, p = .164), current maternal anxiety (n = 45, β = −0.209, B = −0.005, SE 0.003, p = .113) or recent life events (n = 46, β = −0.128, B = −0.022, SE 0.023, p = .325). Analyses were adjusted for relevant infant hair characteristics. Specifically, maternal emotional and physical neglect were related to HCC in both mothers and infants. ConclusionsResults suggest that maternal childhood trauma is more prominent in altering maternal and infant long-term cortisol levels than perinatal depressive and anxiety symptomatology or recent life stressors in mothers with a history of depressive and/or anxiety disorders, and their infants. As infants of mothers with psychopathology are at increased risk for later psychiatric disease, future studies should investigate the interplay of possible risk factors for transgenerational transmission, intra-uterine programming of the HPA axis, including (epi-)genetic phenomena, of the HPA axis, and the influence of parenting impairment.

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Body Image, Self-Esteem and Eating Attitudes in Patients undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

Psychiatric evaluation of candidate patients before bariatric surgery (BS) has an important place in the success of the treatment. In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between childhood trauma (CT) and body image, self-esteem and eating attitudes of individuals who applied for BS. A total of 87 BS candidate patients with morbid obesity, 57 women and 30 men, were included in the study. Sociodemographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Body Perception Scale (BPS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40) were used as data collection tools in the study. CT was detected in 47.1% of the cases. RSES (t=3.296; p<0.01) and BPS (t=3.267; p<0.01) scores were found to be significantly higher in those with a history of CT. A positive and significant relationship was found between EAT-40 and CTQ -sexual abuse (SA) sub-dimension (r=0.570; p<0.01). A significant relationship was found between all subdimensions of CTQ and RSES. A significant relationship was found between CTQ physical neglect (PN), emotional neglect (EN), and emotional abuse (EA) sub-dimensions and BPS. In addition, CTQ total score was found to significantly and negatively predict self-esteem (β=- 4.432; p<0.001) and body image (β=-3.700; p<0.001). In our study, it was found that those with CT were dissatisfied with their bodies and had lower self-esteem. Questioning CT in the psychological evaluation of pre-BS cases may contribute to the understanding of the etiology of obesity and may play an important role in planning the follow-up after BS.

Soygundan Hüküm Giymiş Erkeklerde, Çocukluk Dönemi İstismarı ile Psikolojik Semptomların Uyuşturucu Kullanma Sıklığı ve Kendine Zarar Verme Sıklığını Ayırt Ediciliği

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of prior childhood abuse and current psychological symptoms on the frequency of drug use and self-harming behavior among a group of male prisoners convicted of robbery. The sample consists of 127 men convicted of armed, aggravated, unarmed/forced robbery, who were held in Metris T-type closed penitentiary state correctional institution. History of childhood abuse was assessed with The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and psychological symptoms were assessed with The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Frequency of drug use was assessed with three questions and self-harm was assessed through four questions both on the self-completed demographic information form. Among 127 men recruited, history of childhood abuse and psychological symptoms provided discrimination concerning frequency of drug use and self-harm. The rate of self-harming individuals in the present study was relatively high compared to the literature. There was a significant correlation between CTQ total and subscale scores and BSI total and subscale scores, except for the emotional neglect subscale.

Test-retest reliability of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire in psychotic disorders

BackgroundChildhood trauma is common and associated with worse psychiatric outcomes. Yet, clinicians may not inquire about childhood trauma due to a misconception that patients cannot provide reliable reports. The goal of this study was to examine the reliability of self-reports of childhood trauma in psychotic disorders. MethodsWe examined the test-retest reliability of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in schizophrenia (SZ, n = 19), psychotic bipolar disorder (BD, n = 17), and healthy control (HC, n = 28) participants who completed the CTQ on ≥2 occasions over variable time periods (mean 19.6 months). We calculated the intraclass correlation (ICC) for the total CTQ score, each of the five CTQ domains, and the minimization/denial subscale for the three groups. For any CTQ domains showing low test-retest reliability (ICC < 0.61), we also explored whether positive, negative, depressive, and manic symptom severity were associated with CTQ variability. ResultsWe found high ICC values for the total CTQ score in all three groups (SZ 0.82, BD 0.85, HC 0.88). The ICC values for CTQ subdomains were also high with the exceptions of scores for sexual abuse in BD (0.40), emotional neglect in SZ (0.60), and physical neglect in BD (0.51) and HC (0.43). In exploratory analyses, self-reports of sexual abuse in BD were associated with greater severity of depressive symptoms (β = 0.108, p = 0.004). ConclusionsPatients with SZ and BD can provide reliable self-reports of childhood trauma, especially related to physical and emotional abuse. The presence of psychosis should not deter clinicians from asking patients about childhood trauma.