Effects Of Childhood Maltreatment Research Articles

CHILD ABUSE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH: DOES GENDER MATTER?

Numerous studies have demonstrated that child abuse is associated with poor adult mental health, but few have investigated the extent to which the frequency of different types of abuse increase mental health conditions, especially at the nexus of gender. The present study examines whether parental abuse frequency and abuse perpetrator have distinct effects for men and women on three mental health outcomes—depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and global self-reported mental health. Data came from three waves of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), comprising a baseline sample of 3,032 adults aged 25-74. Estimating a series of mixed effects models revealed that maternal abuse and frequent abuse during childhood were associated with poorer adult mental health during our 20-year observation period, net of childhood and adult risk factors. Specifically, maternal emotional abuse raised the risk of depression, anxiety, and lower self-rated mental health, and was more strongly associated with depression and anxiety for women than men. Compared to adults who did not experience parental abuse during childhood, adults who experienced frequent emotional and physical abuse by either parent were more likely to experience depression and anxiety and report lower ratings of mental health in adulthood. Frequent child abuse was more strongly associated with anxiety for women than men. These results demonstrate that gender differences in adult mental health have early-life antecedents. Future research investigating the long-term mental health consequences of child abuse should consider the type and magnitude of abuse as well as the perpetrator.

CHILD ABUSE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH: DOES GENDER MATTER?

Numerous studies have demonstrated that child abuse is associated with poor adult mental health, but few have investigated the extent to which the frequency of different types of abuse increase mental health conditions, especially at the nexus of gender. The present study examines whether parental abuse frequency and abuse perpetrator have distinct effects for men and women on three mental health outcomes—depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and global self-reported mental health. Data came from three waves of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), comprising a baseline sample of 3,032 adults aged 25-74. Estimating a series of mixed effects models revealed that maternal abuse and frequent abuse during childhood were associated with poorer adult mental health during our 20-year observation period, net of childhood and adult risk factors. Specifically, maternal emotional abuse raised the risk of depression, anxiety, and lower self-rated mental health, and was more strongly associated with depression and anxiety for women than men. Compared to adults who did not experience parental abuse during childhood, adults who experienced frequent emotional and physical abuse by either parent were more likely to experience depression and anxiety and report lower ratings of mental health in adulthood. Frequent child abuse was more strongly associated with anxiety for women than men. These results demonstrate that gender differences in adult mental health have early-life antecedents. Future research investigating the long-term mental health consequences of child abuse should consider the type and magnitude of abuse as well as the perpetrator.

The Moderating Effects of Sex on Consequences of Childhood Maltreatment: From Clinical Studies to Animal Models.

Stress has pronounced effects on the brain, and thus behavioral outputs. This is particularly true when the stress occurs during vulnerable points in development. A review of the clinical literature regarding the moderating effects of sex on psychopathology in individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment (CM) is complicated by a host of variables that are difficult to quantify and control in clinical settings. As a result, the precise role of sex in moderating the consequences of CM remains elusive. In this review, we explore the rationale for studying this important question and their implications for treatment. We examine this issue using the threat/deprivation conceptual framework and highlight a growing body of work demonstrating important sex differences in human studies and in animal models of early life stress (ELS). The challenges and obstacles for effectively studying this question are reviewed and are followed by recommendations on how to move forward at the clinical and preclinical settings. We hope that this review will help inspire additional studies on this important topic.

Do documented records and retrospective reports of childhood maltreatment similarly predict chronic inflammation?

Childhood adversities have been associated with chronic inflammation and risk for cardiovascular disease. With some exceptions, existing knowledge of this relationship is based on retrospective self-reports, potentially subject to recall bias or memory problems. We seek to determine whether childhood maltreatment is associated with higher C-reactive protein (CRP) later in life and whether individuals with official and retrospective self-reports of maltreatment and men and women show similar increases in risk. Data are from in-person interviews in 2009-2010 with 443 offspring (mean age = 23.4) of parents in a longitudinal study of the consequences of childhood maltreatment. Official reports of maltreatment were abstracted from 2011-2013 Child Protective Services records. Eleven measures were used to assess self-reported maltreatment retrospectively. Seventeen percent of offspring had official reports, whereas self-reported prevalence rates ranged from 5.4% to 64.8%. CRP was assessed through blood spot samples. Regression models were used to estimate the effect of maltreatment on inflammation, adjusting for age, sex, race, parent occupational status, current depression, smoking, and heavy drinking. Individuals with official reports of child maltreatment and, specifically, physical abuse, had significantly higher levels of CRP than non-maltreated individuals. Maltreated females showed elevated CRP, independent of control variables, whereas no significant association was observed in males. Retrospective self-report measures of child maltreatment did not predict elevated CRP. Individuals with documented histories of childhood maltreatment are at increased risk for chronic inflammation and may benefit from targeted interventions. The results strengthen inferences about the effects of childhood maltreatment on inflammation in females.

The effects of childhood maltreatment on semantic networks during cognitive reappraisal of emotion

The effects of childhood maltreatment on semantic networks during cognitive reappraisal of emotion

Early life stress: It’s all in the timing

The effects of childhood maltreatment on adult amygdala function depend on when the maltreatment occurs.

The effect of childhood maltreatment on the promoter methylation of DNTM1 in immune cells of mother-infant dyads

The effect of childhood maltreatment on the promoter methylation of DNTM1 in immune cells of mother-infant dyads

Modulating effects of childhood maltreatment on effectiveness of ketamine therapy for treatment resistant depression

Modulating effects of childhood maltreatment on effectiveness of ketamine therapy for treatment resistant depression

Examining Parental Factors as Moderators Between Maltreatment and Adolescent Delinquency.

There is a well-established relationship between child maltreatment and delinquency, indicating that maltreated youth are at a heightened risk for later delinquency. However, the literature is unclear as to why some maltreated youth proceed to engage in delinquent behaviors, whereas others do not. The present study examined whether parental or family factors moderated the relation between a history of maltreatment and engagement in delinquent behavior during adolescence. Parental and family moderators included parental monitoring, parental emotional distress (depression and everyday stressors), parent-child relationship quality, family community and religious disengagement, poverty, and negative life events. This study utilized data on 1,149 children from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN), a collaborative effort across research sites that collected data regarding the risk factors and consequences of child maltreatment. For the purposes of this study, we utilized adolescent self-reports of delinquency, caregiver reports of parental and family variables, and administrative data on child maltreatment. Community and religious disengagement was the only variable that moderated the relation between maltreatment and delinquency. The effects of community and religious disengagement varied by maltreatment group such that greater community and religious disengagement was related to increased delinquent involvement for those in the no maltreatment, childhood-only maltreatment, and persistent maltreatment groups. Child maltreatment was not a significant predictor of delinquency over and above the effect of parenting and family variables that were measured during adolescence. Findings point to the importance of considering proximal parenting and family factors in understanding the maltreatment-delinquency relationship.

Childhood maltreatment and risk for suicide attempts in major depression: a sex-specific approach

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood maltreatment increases the risk of suicide attempts in the general population, possibly having similar effects among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The few studies that have addressed this association have been restricted to specific populations (e.g. treatment-resistant depression, personality disorders) and have rarely taken sex into account. Objective: To examine the impact of childhood maltreatment on suicide attempts among MDD patients above and beyond other risk factors and potential confounders, while considering potential sex-specific effects. Methods: The study assessed 165 patients with a principal diagnosis of MDD. Neurological alterations, psychiatric comorbidities, and drug abuse were reasons for exclusion. Logistic regressions using the whole sample, and divided by sex, were run to test the association between childhood maltreatment and history of suicide attempts, controlling for symptom severity, comorbidities, and treatment-resistant depression. Results: There was a significant and clinically relevant association between childhood maltreatment and history of suicide attempts in the total sample. Patients with childhood maltreatment were 3.01 times more likely to present a history of suicide attempts than patients without childhood maltreatment. A family history of psychiatric disorders also contributed to the variance of attempted suicide, but its interaction with childhood maltreatment was not statistically significant. When testing the model separately, the effect of childhood maltreatment on suicide attempts remained for females, whereas for males, age of MDD onset and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire minimization–denial scale were predictive variables. Conclusions: Childhood maltreatment is a clear predictor of suicidal behaviour among MDD patients, and this effect remains significant after controlling for potential confounders. Also, the sex of patients emerges as a relevant factor that may model the mechanisms underlying the prediction of suicide attempts. Since suicide is the main cause of premature death among MDD patients, interventions targeting childhood maltreatment should be included in preventive and clinical strategies.

The relationship between child maltreatment and social assistance use: A chain of adversities and transitions from a life course perspective

ABSTRACTThis study applies the life course perspective to one of the long-term consequences of child maltreatment: specifically, the use of social assistance. While quantitative research has demonstrated a relationship between experiencing maltreatment as a child and economic hardship in adulthood, due to the complexity of these phenomena, the nature of this relationship is not well understood. This study employs the life course perspective and qualitative methods to explore participants’ experiences and perspectives on child maltreatment as they see them related to their social assistance usage. Participants included 17 individuals who had experienced child maltreatment and have accessed, or are currently accessing, social assistance in Ontario, Canada. Our grounded theory approach enabled an understanding of participants’ experiences as a chain of adversities and multiple transitions that impacted the availability of the economic and social resources required to meet challenging transitions in adulthood, thereby eventually leading to social assistance use later in life. A conceptual framework based on the findings, and areas for future research are presented.

The Childhood Maltreatment Modulates the Impact of Negative Emotional Stimuli on Conflict Resolution.

It has been reported that negative emotional stimuli could facilitate conflict resolution. However, it remains unclear about whether and how the impact of negative emotional stimuli on conflict resolution varies depending on childhood maltreatment. To clarify this issue, seventy-nine subjects were required to perform an arrow Eriksen Flanker Task which was presented in the center of emotional pictures. The present study found a significant interaction effect of childhood maltreatment and emotion on executive attention scores in reaction times (RTs) that reflect conflict resolution speed. For subjects in high childhood maltreatment, negative pictures elicited smaller executive attention scores in RTs than neutral and positive pictures, while neutral and positive pictures elicited similar executive attention scores in RTs. By contrast, for subjects in low childhood maltreatment, executive attention scores in RTs were similar across three conditions. These results suggest that the speed of conflict resolution is enhanced in high, instead of low, childhood maltreatment in situations of negative stimuli. This finding extends our understanding of the interaction among emotion, childhood maltreatment and conflict resolution.

The effects of childhood maltreatment on epigenetic regulation of stress-response associated genes: an intergenerational approach

While biological alterations associated with childhood maltreatment (CM) have been found in affected individuals, it remains unknown to what degree these alterations are biologically transmitted to the next generation. We investigated intergenerational effects of maternal CM on DNA methylation and gene expression in N = 113 mother-infant dyads shortly after parturition, additionally accounting for the role of the FKBP5 rs1360780 genotype. Using mass array spectrometry, we assessed the DNA methylation of selected stress-response-associated genes (FK506 binding protein 51 [FKBP5], glucocorticoid receptor [NR3C1], corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 [CRHR1]) in isolated immune cells from maternal blood and neonatal umbilical cord blood. In mothers, CM was associated with decreased levels of DNA methylation of FKBP5 and CRHR1 and increased NR3C1 methylation, but not with changes in gene expression profiles. Rs1360780 moderated the FKBP5 epigenetic CM-associated regulation profiles in a gene × environment interaction. In newborns, we found no evidence for any intergenerational transmission of CM-related methylation profiles for any of the investigated epigenetic sites. These findings support the hypothesis of a long-lasting impact of CM on the biological epigenetic regulation of stress-response mediators and suggest for the first time that these specific epigenetic patterns might not be directly transmitted to the next generation.

The Impact of Child Abuse on Relationships between Resource Loss and Posttraumatic Stress: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis

ABSTRACTChildhood abuse is a serious and prevalent public health concern, both in the United States and around the world. The association between child abuse and adverse outcomes in adulthood is well-established, with those experiencing abuse more likely to be diagnosed with mental health disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), into adulthood. One way to conceptualize the relationship between trauma and adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood is through resource loss. Previous research indicates that individuals who have experienced childhood abuse may not adequately develop resources, such as tangible (e.g., money) and intangible (e.g., emotional) support systems, with the loss of these resources associated with decreased ability to cope with distress. The current study investigated the relationship between resource loss and symptoms of posttraumatic stress longitudinally in a sample of women who had experienced both childhood abuse and a mass-shooting event. Results demonstrated that experiencing childhood physical abuse and sexual abuse predicted symptoms of posttraumatic stress after controlling for exposure to the mass-shooting event. Additionally, symptoms of posttraumatic stress and resource loss predicted each other at two time points after the shooting. Findings demonstrate the bidirectional nature of the relationship between posttraumatic stress and resource loss, as well as highlight how effects of childhood abuse can be long-standing and negatively impact psychosocial functioning in women throughout adulthood.

Effects of Childhood Abuse on Major Depressive Disorder

Objective: Childhood trauma is a significant risk factor for major depressive disorder, which has a multifactorial etiology. We investigated the effectsof childhood trauma, especially physical and sexual abuse, on depression later in adult life.Methods: The study included 87 patients with depression and 87 healthy volunteers. Participants were asked to fill out the Childhood TraumaQuestionnaire (CTQ) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Anxiety. We have used the three childhood trauma pattern groups by theirCTQ scores. The first group consisted participants who did not report any childhood abuse. The second group comprised participants who hadexperienced emotional abuse and emotional or physical neglect. The third group included participants who reported physical and sexual abuse.Results: Approximately half of pattern groups 1 and 2 consisted of healthy controls. However, all of the participants who were in pattern group 3had major depressive disorder. Anxiety and depression levels both had positive correlations with emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. There wasa statistically significant difference between pattern groups 2 and 3 in all of the five categories of CTQ.Conclusion: In our study, we found that incidences of physical and sexual abuse increase the risk of depression. Furthermore, they indicate anincreased risk for a relationship that consists of emotional neglect and abuse, which is an independent risk factor for major depressive disorder.Therefore, we should not only focus on the individual traumas on childhood trauma cases but also consider if there is a defective pattern ofrelationship.

Effects of Childhood Maltreatment on Social Cognition and Brain Functional Connectivity in Borderline Personality Disorder Patients.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of impulsivity, affective instability, and difficulty to establish and manage interpersonal relationships. However, little is known about its etiology and neurobiological substrates. In our study, we wanted to investigate the influence of child abuse in the psychopathology of BPD by means of social cognitive paradigms [the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) and the reading the mind in the eyes test (RMET)], and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). For this, we recruited 33 participants, 18 BPD patients, and 15 controls. High levels of self-reported childhood maltreatment were reported by BPD patients. For the sexual abuse subdimension, there were no differences between the BPD and the control groups, but there was a negative correlation between MASC scores and total childhood maltreatment levels, as well as between physical abuse, physical negligence, and MASC. Both groups showed that the higher the level of childhood maltreatment, the lower the performance on the MASC social cognitive test. Further, in the BPD group, there was hypoconnectivity between the structures responsible for emotion regulation and social cognitive responses that have been described as part of the frontolimbic circuitry (i.e., amygdala). Differential levels of connectivity, associated with different types and levels of abuse were also observed.

Trait mindfulness may buffer against the deleterious effects of childhood abuse in recurrent depression: A retrospective exploratory study

BackgroundIndividuals with a history of childhood maltreatment are particularly vulnerable to a longer course of depression. Immunisation theories of resilience suggest that resilience and related factors may buffer against the deleterious effects of early childhood adversity. Trait mindfulness is linked to resilience and may be a pathway to cultivating this dynamic process. In this study, we investigated whether trait mindfulness can buffer against the effects of early childhood maltreatment in predicting lifetime number of months depressed.MethodsWe recruited 43 previously depressed, currently remitted patients, and retrospectively examined their depression history (using a structured interview, LIFE‐SCID (Longitudinal Interval Follow‐Up Evaluation—Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual‐IV)), their self‐reported experience of maltreatment in the first 16-years of life (MOPS (Measure of Parental Style)), and their levels of trait mindfulness (MAAS (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale)).ResultsWe found that number of months depressed in a lifetime was positively associated with reported childhood maltreatment, and negatively associated with trait mindfulness. Second, we found evidence that trait mindfulness significantly moderated the relationship of early childhood maltreatment and number of months depressed. Specifically, it appears that individuals who report severe histories of maltreatment are especially vulnerable to recurrent depression if they are also reporting low levels of trait mindfulness.ConclusionsIncreasing mindfulness may be warranted among individuals reporting a history of childhood abuse with lower baselines of trait mindfulness; however, results of this retrospective study require replication in a larger, prospective trial.

Effects of childhood maltreatment on cognition and emotional processing in schizophrenia

Effects of childhood maltreatment on cognition and emotional processing in schizophrenia

Chased by the Past: The Relation Between Childhood Maltreatment and Fear of Childbirth

Although childbirth is a normative physiological experience, it may be challenging for some women and especially for those who were exposed to childhood maltreatment. The aim of the study was to examine a model underlying the development of fear of childbirth among pregnant women who were exposed to childhood maltreatment. Given that abusive acts are often directed at and experienced through the victim’s mind and body, we proposed a dual-path model, suggesting that these relations are mediated by both self-objectification and a serial mediation of disrupted body boundaries and body shame. A sample of 470 Israeli pregnant women filled out a battery of questionnaires assessing their history of childhood maltreatment, self-objectification, disrupted body boundaries, body shame, and fear of childbirth. Results from Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that self-objectification and the combination of disruptions in body boundaries and body shame significantly mediated the association between childhood maltreatment and fear of childbirth. These findings stress the integrative experience and consequences of childhood maltreatment among pregnant women. The roles of the two paths in understanding the detrimental long-term effects of childhood maltreatment and in designing effective interventions are discussed.

Screening for History of Childhood Abuse: Beliefs, Practice Patterns, and Barriers Among Obstetrician-Gynecologists.

A history of childhood abuse is strongly linked to adult health problems. Obstetrician-gynecologists will undoubtedly treat abuse survivors during their careers, and a number of patient presenting problems may be related to a history of childhood abuse (e.g., chronic pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, mental health disorders, obesity, and chronic diseases). Knowledge of abuse history may assist with treatment planning and the delivery of trauma-informed care. The current study sought to explore obstetrician-gynecologists' training, knowledge, beliefs, practice patterns, and barriers around screening for history of childhood abuse in their adult patients. Eight hundred Fellows and Junior Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were sent an electronic survey; 332 viewed recruitment emails. Data were analyzed with SPSS 24.0, including descriptive statistics, χ2, and t tests. One-hundred forty-five physicians completed the survey. The majority of responding providers believe that assessment of abuse history is important and relevant to patient care, yet few reported screening regularly. Most did not have formal training in screening for childhood abuse or its effects, although those who completed their training more recently were more likely to report training in these areas, as well as more likely to screen regularly. The majority of respondents noted they were not confident to screen. Barriers to screening were identified. Greater education and training about screening for childhood abuse history and the effects of childhood abuse are needed. The integration of mental health providers into practice is one method that may increase screening rates.