Emotional Abuse Scores Research Articles

Investigation of the relationship between childhood traumas, psychological resilience, cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation skills in adults

Objectives: This paper looked into the relation between childhood traumas, resilience, cognitive flexibility, and adult emotion regulation skills in adults. Methods: The sample, which is based on the relational screening model, includes 395 participants (female: 202, male: 193). Sociodemographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Scale and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were applied to the participants to obtain the research data. Data collection was carried out online (google forms) through convenient sampling. The t-test was used to compare the study's quantitative data, and Pearson Correlation analysis was utilized to test the relationship between the scales. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was used for predictive analysis and finally PROCESS was used for mediator role analysis. Results: The investigation's findings revealed that there is a statistically significant difference between the scores of the two groups compared. Findings showed that there is a moderately positive correlation between acceptance and CTQ scores, a weak positive correlation between acceptance and emotional abuse scores, a weak positive correlation with physical abuse scores, a weak positive correlation with physical neglect scores, a weak positive correlation with emotional neglect scores and weak positive correlation with sexual abuse scores. A weak and negative correlation exists between Putting into Perspective and the CTQ, an even weaker and negative correlation exists between Putting into Perspective and the Emotional Neglect and Sexual Abuse scores. Rumination scores have a weak and negative relationship with emotional abuse scores. Conclusions: In order to prevent them from serving as the foundation for difficulties with adult mental health, it is crucial to understand the relationship between traumatic childhood events and psychological resilience, cognitive flexibility, and cognitive emotion regulation techniques. In order to assist people, analyze their thoughts and feelings, be aware of negative coping mechanisms, rigid, inflexible cognitive styles, and negative thinking patterns, clinical psychology practices will benefit from research on these characteristics.

The relationship between childhood emotional abuse and borderline personality disorder: the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation among Lebanese adults

ObjectiveThe present study investigates the mediating effect of difficulties in emotion regulation in the association between childhood emotional abuse and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) among Lebanese adults.MethodThis cross-sectional study, involving 411 participants, was conducted between March and August 2022. Lebanese individuals from all governorates of the country were recruited using the Snowball Sampling technique. Three self-report scales were utilized to complete this research; the ‘Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale—Brief Version (DERS-16)’ which evaluates the difficulties in emotion regulation of individuals, the ‘Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form (CTQ-SF)’ which grants a subjective evaluation of the general childhood environment of the participants, as well as the ‘Borderline Personality Questionnaire (BPQ)’ which measures Borderline Personality Disorder traits, that demonstrate significant convergence with the disorder.ResultsThe results indicate that DERS-16 played an indirect effect role between childhood emotional abuse scores and Borderline Personality Disorder. Higher emotional abuse scores were significantly associated with higher DERS-16 scores, which in turn was significantly associated with higher BPQ scores. Moreover, childhood emotional abuse was directly associated with higher BPQ scores.ConclusionThis work suggests that, among the different forms of childhood abuse, emotional abuse may have a role in the development of Borderline Personality Disorder. Training on emotion regulation strategies would potentially benefit individuals in preventing BPD development and facilitating therapeutic processes.

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma Experience and Complicated Grief: The Importance of Psychological Support for Individuals Coping With Pet Loss in Korea.

Loss of companion animals can result in various psychological reactions, including complicated grief, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. However, research on the prevalence of patients requiring clinical intervention is limited. Moreover, research examining the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological symptoms after pet loss is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the rates of clinically significant psychological distress after pet loss and the impact of childhood trauma on adults who have experienced pet loss. An online survey was conducted with non-clinical adult participants who had experienced the loss of a companion animal. Psychiatric characteristics were evaluated using standardized assessments, including the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Childhood trauma was evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). In a sample of 137 individuals who had experienced pet loss, the percentages of those who exceeded the cutoff points were 55% for the ICG, 52% for the PHQ-9, 40% for the GAD-7, and 32% for the ISI. The group that reported childhood trauma exhibited significantly higher scores on the ICG (t = 2.16, P = 0.032), PHQ-9 (t = 3.05, P = 0.003), GAD-7 (t = 2.61, P = 0.010), and ISI (t = 2.11, P = 0.037) than in the group without childhood trauma. For participants who experienced pet loss for less than one year, there was no significant difference in the ICG between the trauma and non-trauma groups, as both had extremely high scores. However, the trauma group had a significantly higher PHQ-9 (t = 2.58, P = 0.012) than the non-trauma group. In contrast, for participants who experienced pet loss for more than one year, the trauma group had a significantly higher ICG (t = 2.22, P = 0.03) than the non-trauma group, while there was no significant difference in the PHQ-9. Additionally, the emotional abuse scores on the CTQ were most significantly correlated with the ICG scores even after controlling for depressive symptoms. People who experienced pet loss had significant psychological symptoms, ranging from 32% to 55%. Childhood trauma experiences affect complicated grief, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, insomnia and prolonged grief disorder after pet loss. After pet loss, people with childhood trauma may require more psychological help than those without trauma.

LBODP091 The Reasons For Loss To Follow-up Of Patients With Gender Dysphoria

Abstract Aim To assess the effect of social function, motivation, support, and traumatic childhood experiences on follow-up behavior of patients with gender dysphoria (GD). Method: All the patients with GD who came to our clinic for endocrinological visit between September 2020 and July 2021 were asked to participate in this cross-sectional study. People with GD that provided consent were included in trans group. We also assigned age-matched cis-gender healthy controls. Data regarding gender transition process were collected retrospectively from medical charts. All the participants were administered Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The results were compared between groups. Results The study included 50 male-to-female with GD (MtF), 50 female-to-male with GD (FtM), 48 cis-females, 28 cis-males. The ratio of regular follow-up was higher in FtMs (n=48, 77.1%) than MtFs (n=39, 56.4%) (p<0. 05). Among lost to follow-up patients with GD, MtFs (n=17, %64.7) had a higher suicide rate than FtMs (n=11, %9.1) (p<0. 05). MtFs had lower CTQ and emotional abuse scores and higher sexual abuse scores than FtMs (p<0. 05). Conclusion Childhood traumas, emotional and sexual abuse may serve the reason for the loss to follow-up of MtFs. Presentation: No date and time listed

The interaction of P11 methylation and early-life stress impacts the antidepressant response in patients with major depressive disorder

PurposeThe present research investigates the influence of P11 gene DNA methylation combined with life stress on the response to antidepressants in the first two weeks. MethodsA total of 291 Han Chinese patients with major depressive disorder and 100 healthy controls were included. The Life Events Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire were used to assess stress. The primary endpoint was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 reduction rate after two weeks of treatment. The Illumina HiSeq Platform was used to detect the methylation of 74 CpG sites of the P11 gene in peripheral blood samples. ResultsThe mean methylation of all P11 CpG sites, as well as the methylation at 4 CpG sites (P11-2-169, P11-2-192, P11-2-202, P11-2-204), were significantly higher in patients with MDD than in healthy controls (FDR-corrected P < 0.05). The response to antidepressants was associated with the following interactions: the CTQ score and P11-3-185 site methylation (OR = 0.297, FDR-corrected P = 0.023), the CTQ physical neglect score and P11-2-117 site methylation (OR = 0.005, FDR-corrected P = 0.033), and the CTQ emotional abuse score and P11-3-185 site methylation (OR = 0.001, FDR-corrected P = 0.023). ConclusionsThe methylation of the P11 gene was significantly higher in patients with major depressive disorder. The interaction of P11 DNA methylation and early-life stress may influence the short-term antidepressant treatment response.

Impact of adverse childhood experiences on the symptom severity of different mental disorders: a cross-diagnostic study

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences have a significant impact on different mental disorders.ObjectiveTo compare differences in adverse childhood experiences among those with different mental disorders and their relationships in a cross-disorder manner.MethodsThe...

The evaluation of the relationship between childhood traumas and smoking addiction

Introduction. Data about the relationship between childhood traumas and cigarette smoking are scarce. In this study, the relationship between childhood abuse and smoking addiction was evaluated in adults. Material and methods. This research was carried out with the participation of 216 individuals (82 [38%] women and 134 [62%] men) over the age of 18 who applied to the Family Medicine Out-patient Clinics of a tertiary hospital. They were asked to answer the socio-demographic questions as well as the questionnaire forms containing the Fagerström Nicotine Addiction Test (FNAT) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Results. The median age at which men start smoking was significantly lower than that of women (17 vs. 19 years; p = 0.007). Men have higher rates of physical neglect than women (p = 0.001). No significant difference was found between the exposure of individuals to emotional, physical, sexual neglect and abuse and nicotine addiction levels after adjustment for age, gender and education level. However, a significant negative correlation was found between the FNAT score and the CTQ total score, emotional abuse score, physical neglect score, and emotional neglect score. Conclusion. Contrary to the results in the literature, we did not find a directly proportional relationship between adverse childhood experiences and smoking addiction. This finding suggests that further studies should be done on whether adverse childhood experiences may lead not only to cigarette addiction but also to other serious conditions such as substance abuse, mental and physical health problems. Determinants of child maltreatment are multi-systemic, it therefore, makes sense that in counties with different social, cultural, and economic conditions, the consequences of child maltreatment will also be different.

The association between childhood trauma and the age of onset in drug-free bipolar depression

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood trauma and clinical correlates in bipolar depression. MethodsA total of 61 bipolar depression patients were enrolled and assessed based on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Patient Health Questionaire-15 (PHQ-15), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) systems. ResultsThe age of onset in bipolar depression patients with either trauma or abuse or neglect was significantly lower than in patients without these factors. There were statistically significant negative correlations between the age of onset and the number of different trauma types in bipolar depression patients. Multiple variable regression showed a significant association between the number of trauma types and the age of onset. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between the age of onset with CTQ-SF total score (CTS), emotional abuse score and emotional neglect score, and physical neglect score. However, multiple variable regression analysis revealed that there was a significant association between emotional abuse score and the age of onset of bipolar depression patients.Conclusion: Our results suggest that childhood trauma may be associated with physical symptoms and the age of onset in bipolar depression patients.

Association of childhood maltreatment history with salivary interleukin-6 diurnal patterns and C-reactive protein in healthy adults

Childhood maltreatment has been associated with increased inflammation, as indicated by elevated levels of proinflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Studies in humans show that secretion of IL-6 follows a clear circadian rhythm, implying that its disturbed rhythm represents an important aspect of dysregulated inflammatory system. However, possible alterations in diurnal secretion patterns of IL-6 associated with childhood maltreatment have not been studied. Here we investigated this association in 116 healthy adults. Diurnal levels of IL-6 were examined using saliva samples collected at 5 times a day across 2 consecutive days. Salivary CRP levels were also determined by averaging measurements at 2 times a day for 2 days. Different types of childhood maltreatment were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). CTQ total and emotional abuse scores were significantly correlated with smaller IL-6 diurnal variation as indexed by lower standard deviation across the measurement times (p = 0.024 and p = 0.008, respectively). Individuals with emotional abuse, as defined by a cut-off score of CTQ, showed flatter IL-6 rhythm than those without (p = 0.031). These results, both correlation and group comparison, remained significant after controlling for age, sex, and body mass index. Childhood maltreatment was not associated with total output of IL-6 or CRP. Our findings indicate that childhood trauma can have a long-term negative effect on the circadian rhythm of inflammatory system. The findings are consistent with those of previous studies on adulthood trauma, suggesting that the disrupted IL-6 rhythmicity may be associated with a broad range of trauma-related conditions.

Childhood maltreatment and suicidal behavior among adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated both with suicidal behavior and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Yet not much is known about the relationship of CM and suicidal behavior in adults diagnosed with ADHD. This study aims to further investigate this potential risk. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-V1.1), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), A self-rating Questionnaire for Suicide Ideation (SIQ) and Suicidal Behavior Scale (SBS) were employed to 104 cases with adult ADHD, whose comorbid psychiatric disorders were examined according to the DSM-5 criteria. It was found that, while age and education level are significantly lower; the fraction of those who are single, as well as the DES, BDI, BAI, SIQ and SBS scores are significantly higher in the ADHD cases with CM history than those with no history of CM. In addition, SIQ and emotional abuse scores were found as significant predictors of SBS scores in adults with ADHD. These results suggest that investigating CM, as well as suicidal behaviors in adults diagnosed with ADHD can be useful in creating a treatment plan to prevent suicide attempts and suicide.

Anxiety disorders and childhood exposure to emotional abuse: The mediating role of disgust

IntroductionSeveral studies demonstrate that disgust, defined as a revulsion response aimed at distancing an individual from a potentially harmful or noxious stimulus, is linked to post-traumatic stress following sexual trauma even when accounting for associated fear and anxiety. One of the suggested mechanisms implicated in this association is a feeling of mental contamination. Recent neuroimaging studies demonstrated that exposure to contamination activates the insular cortex. In addition, disgust sensitivity correlates with the activation of the insular cortex.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the psychopathological role of the emotion of disgust in the developement of anxiety symptoms in patient with an history of abuse.MethodsWe enrolled 84 patients admitted in Psychiatric Unit of Careggi with diagnosis of Anxiety Disorders. We administered to them: Zung Anxiety Scale (ZSAS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-revised (DPSS-r).ResultsResults showed a significant mediation of the association between CTQ emotional abuse scores and total ZSAS scores via DPSS disgust sensitivity scores in patients with anxiety disorders (p=0.022). Total effect and indirect effect of emotional abuse on severity of anxiety symptoms were significant (total effect = 0.494; p=0.051, indirect effect: 0.256, p=0.022), while there was no significant direct effect from emotional abuse to anxiety symptoms in the total model (direct effect: 0.237, p=0.356). The model explained 18% of variance in anxiety symptomatology (R2=0.18).ConclusionsSuch preliminary data suggest a possible mediating role of disgust in development and maintenance of childhood abuse-related anxiety, making it a potential target for psychotherapy.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

The role of childhood trauma in patients with chronic urticaria.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin disease in which the etiology involves immunological and psychological factors. Childhood traumas may disrupt the development of the neuro-immuno-cutaneous-endocrine system and start a complex pathophysiological process with inflammatory abnormalities, potentially leading to the development of skin disease. In light of this information, we believe that childhood trauma may play a role in the onset and severity of disease in CU patients. Our study aimed to discover a potential relationship between CU and childhood traumatic experiences. This study was conducted with 53 controls and 50 CU patients. The participants were given a questionnaire form that included sociodemographic information, Beck Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Scale, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28). The rates of childhood trauma were found to be 68% in the patient group, and 54.7% in the control group. The patient group demonstrated higher scores for moderate to severe anxiety and depression. The mean emotional abuse score was significantly higher in early onset (<35 ages) urticaria patients in comparison to late onset urticarial (≥35 ages) and the control group. It was found that depression scores were positively correlated with all abuse sub-types, excluding sexual abuse, and total CTQ-28 scores. Anxiety scores were positively correlated with emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, and total CTQ-28 scores. Childhood traumas are associated with the early onset and severity of disease in CU patients as well as the accompanying depression and anxiety.

Impact of Childhood Trauma and Attachment on Resilience in Remitted Patients with Bipolar Disorder

BackgroundChildhood trauma has been reported to be associated with severe course of illness, insecure attachment, and lower resilience in bipolar disorder. We aimed to examine the impact of childhood trauma on resilience and possible mediating role of attachment on this impact in bipolar disorder. MethodsThe study group comprised of 110 remitted patients with bipolar disorder. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Young Mani Rating Scale (YMRS) are administered to verify remission. Childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ-SF), Experiences in Close Relationships-revised (ECR-R), and Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) scales administered to all patients. ResultsMore than half of patients in bipolar disorder group reported childhood trauma. HAM-D scores were positively associated with childhood trauma total scores and emotional abuse scores, negatively associated with resilience, with attachment-related anxiety. Total childhood trauma scores were associated with lower scores of resilience, higher scores of attachment-related anxiety and avoidance. Resilience scores were negatively associated with attachment-related anxiety and avoidance. Impact of childhood trauma on resilience was partly mediated by attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, respectively. LimitationsThe cross-sectional design of this study is a limitation in terms of determining causality of the identified relationships. ConclusionsChildhood traumas are associated with lower resilience and higher attachment-related anxiety and avoidance. Attachment-related anxiety and avoidance partly mediated the negative effect of childhood trauma on resilience. Since resilience is associated with increased quality of life in bipolar disorder, it might be helpful to develop attachment-informed psychosocial interventions to ameliorate the detrimental effect of childhood trauma on resilience.

The predictors of impulsive, self-injuring, and suicidal behaviors in borderline personality disorder

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive role of depressive symptoms and childhood psycho-logical trauma on impulsive, self-injuring, and suicidal behaviors in groups diagnosed and not diagnosed (control group) with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Methods: The study sample included a diagnosis group (n1=72) that was followed by the psychiatry clinics of a university hospital and a public hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, along with a control group (n2=71) that included healthy volunteers who participated in the study. All study participants were evaluated using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), Child-hood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Inventory of Statements about Self-injury (ISAS), and Suicide Behavior Ques-tionnaire (SBQ). The study results were analyzed statistically. Findings: First, the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the BDI and emotional abuse scores in the diagnosis group and the HAM-D in the control group were significant predictors based on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Secondly, the emotional abuse score in the diagnosis group and physical neglect and HAM-D score in the control group were significant predictors of self-injury behavior inventory scores. Thirdly, BDI and sexual abuse scores in the diagnosis group and the emotional and physical abuse scores in the control group were found to be the significant predictors of suicide behavior. Con-clusion: Emotional and sexual abuse during childhood and depressive symptoms (BDI) were found to be signi-ficant risk factors in terms of impulsive, self-injury and suicidal behaviors in BPD.

Suicide risk and childhood trauma in individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after exposure to a potentially traumatic event. Its clinical condition may lead to the development of risk behaviors, and its early detection is a relevant aspect to be considered. The aim of this study was to assess the association between childhood trauma and suicide risk in individuals with PTSD. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with individuals aged 18 to 60 years who were evaluated at a mental health research outpatient clinic. PTSD diagnosis and suicide risk identification were performed using specific modules of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to evaluate traumatic events in childhood. Of the 917 individuals evaluated, 55 were diagnosed with PTSD. The suicide risk prevalence in individuals with PTSD was 63.6%. Emotional neglect and emotional abuse scores tended to be higher in the suicide risk group (p<0.2). Our findings showed a higher prevalence of suicide risk in individuals with PTSD and support the hypothesis that the investigation of childhood traumatic experiences, especially emotional neglect and abuse, may help in the early detection of suicide risk in individuals with PTSD.

Alcohol use disorder and emotional abuse: the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas

Objective: Studies have shown a relationship between the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the existence of childhood traumas (CT). In this study, in order to gain a better understanding of the association between CT and AUD, the relationship between CT and AUD was analyzed. Further, it was investigated whether Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) play a mediating role in the relationship between emotional abuse (EA) and AUD. Methods: The participants were consecutively admitted male alcohol-dependent inpatients (n=220) and healthy controls (n=108). The participants were investigated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). Mediation ana-lyses were conducted in order to evaluate the mediating effect of EMS between the relationship of AUD and CT. Results: The difference between CT total score and the EA score between the control group and the AUD group were statistically significant. An analysis of different types of traumas in the correlation with AUD revealed EA as the main predictor of AUD both directly and through its mediating effect with the EMS. In addition, it was determined that in the relationship between EA and AUD, EMS such as Enmeshment, Emotional Inhibition, Dependence and Insufficient Self-Control had mediating effect. Discussion: CT, especially EA are quite common in male inpatients with AUD and the negative effects of EA may play an important role in the development of AUD by causing EMS. Our findings imply that those with EA history in childhood may be particularly vulnerable to the development of AUD in adulthood. Therefore, in the prevention of the development and in the treatment of AUD, it may be useful to take into consideration EA experiences, to screen EMS that may mediate such relationship through scales and to conduct interventions in this regard.

A History of Childhood Trauma and Response to Treatment With Antipsychotics in First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients: Preliminary Results.

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a history of childhood trauma (CT) can help predict early response to antipsychotic treatment in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES). We recruited 64 FES patients who were followed up after 12 weeks of treatment with second-generation antipsychotics. Symptomatic manifestation was examined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Childhood adversities were assessed using the Early Trauma Inventory Self-Report-Short Form. Nonresponders had significantly higher general trauma score, emotional abuse score, total trauma score, and baseline PANSS negative factor score. A history of CT was significantly more frequent among nonresponders. Logistic regression analysis revealed that positive history of CT, higher emotional abuse score, and higher baseline PANSS negative factor score are significant predictors of poor response to treatment. Our results indicate that a history of CT, especially emotional abuse, and higher severity of negative symptoms are independent predictors of poor response to treatment with antipsychotics.

Crack cocaine addiction, early life stress and accelerated cellular aging among women

BackgroundEarly life stress (ELS) and addiction are related to age-related diseases and telomere shortening. However, the role of telomere length (TL) in crack cocaine addiction remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the TL in a sample of crack cocaine dependent-women who reported an ELS history and in a community-based sample of elderly women as a reference group for senescence. MethodsThis study included treatment seeking crack cocaine dependents women (n=127) and elderly women without a psychiatric diagnosis (ELD, n=49). The crack cocaine sample was divided in two groups according to their Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) scores: presence of history of childhood abuse and neglect (CRACK-ELS) and absence of ELS history (CRACK). TL was assessed by T/S ratio obtained from peripheral blood DNA using quantitative PCR assay. ResultsCRACK and CRACK-ELS subjects exhibited shortened TL in comparison to the ELD group, despite their younger age. Among crack cocaine sample, CRACK-ELS group had significantly shorter telomeres than the CRACK group. Correlation analysis within crack cocaine group indicated that TL was negatively correlated with emotional abuse scores. ConclusionsThese results support previous findings associating telomere shortening with both ELS and drug addiction. This study suggests new evidence of a distinct biological phenotype for drug-dependent women with ELS. The results support the biological senescence hypothesis underpinning ELS experience.

Factors Associated with Perceived Abuse in the Health Care System Among Long-Term Opioid Users: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACTBackground: Opioid-dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder. Histories of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse are prevalent among long-term opioid users. While perceived abuse in health care has been linked to histories of abuse in other populations it has not been investigated among long-term opioid users. Objective: To determine factors associated with perceived abuse in health care among a sample of long-term opioid users. Methods: Gender Matters in the Health of Long-Term Opioid Users (GeMa) was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Participants (n = 175) answered questions on health, drug use, treatment history, and victimization. A multivariable model of perceived abuse in health care was built using logistic regression. Results: Half of participants (n = 88) reported perceived abuse in health care in lifetime with no gender differences. Histories of abuse, physical, and psychological health problems, and health care access were more prevalent among those reporting perceived abuse in health care compared to those not reporting such experiences. Multivariable analysis showed that more methadone maintenance treatment attempts in life, prescribed psychiatric medication in life, and having higher childhood emotional abuse scores were independently associated with perceived abuse in health care. Among all childhood neglect and abuse types measured, emotional abuse was the only significant predictor. Conclusions: A high prevalence of lifetime perceived abuse in health care (50%) was reported, along with extremely high childhood abuse and neglect scores. Consideration of these variables by health care and service providers is extremely important to improving patient perceptions of care, and ultimately health and treatment outcomes among opioid-dependent people.

Correlation between childhood trauma and cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia

IntroductionAbusive childhood experiences are claimed to be more prevalent in people with schizophrenia (SCZ) than in the general population. The exposure to childhood trauma can have adverse effects on cognitive function.ObjectivesTo investigate whether there is a relationship between childhood trauma (CT) and cognitive functioning in patients with SCZ.MethodsFifty-eight outpatients with stable SCZ were recruited. The participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire retrospectively assessing five types of childhood trauma (emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and emotional and physical neglect). They also completed a neurocognitive battery comprising the following tests: the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised (HVLT-R), the Letter Digit Substitution Test (LDST), the Stroop Test (ST), the “Double Barrage” of Zazzo (DBZ), the Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST), the Verbal Fluency (VF), the Trail Making Test-Part A (TMT-A) and the Digit Span (DS).ResultsThe patients with a history of physical abuse (P = 0.03) or emotional neglect (P = 0.07) performed worse at the delayed recall of the HVLT-R. A history of emotional neglect was also correlated to a significantly worse performance in theTMT-A (P &lt; 0.0001), while physical abuse was correlated to worse DS (P = 0.015). High emotional abuse scores were significantly correlated to poorer efficiency in DBZ (P = 0.025).ConclusionsThe results need replication, but underline the necessity of investigating biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying these subjects’ cognitive impairment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.