Childhood Traumatic Experiences Research Articles

The Mediating Role of Self-Control in the Relationship between Traumatic Childhood Experiences and Craving in Patients with Methadone Maintenance Treatment

The Mediating Role of Self-Control in the Relationship between Traumatic Childhood Experiences and Craving in Patients with Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Childhood trauma and entrepreneurs’ individual entrepreneurial orientation

ABSTRACT Experiencing childhood trauma (that is, neglect/abuse) threatens the cognition, behavior, and well-being of individuals. In this paper, we examine whether and how childhood traumatic experiences, which go along with being an underdog entrepreneur, influence entrepreneurs’ individual entrepreneurial orientation (Ind.EO). Examining two samples of small-business entrepreneurs in the UK, we find that (i) traumatic childhood experiences boost entrepreneurs’ Ind.EO; (ii) this positive effect is the net result of an increase in promotion (relative to prevention) regulatory focus and an increase in self-dehumanization. Moreover, the positive impact of traumatic childhood experiences on entrepreneurs’ Ind.EO is stronger for rule-breaking entrepreneurs.

Linking childhood trauma to the psychopathology of schizophrenia: the role of oxytocin

Childhood trauma has been linked to schizophrenia, but underlying biological mechanisms remain elusive. This study explored the potential role of plasma oxytocin as a mediator in the relationship between childhood trauma and the psychopathology of schizophrenia. 160 patients with schizophrenia and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed for childhood trauma experiences using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and structured interviews. Psychopathology was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and plasma oxytocin levels were measured. Results showed that patients with schizophrenia had lower oxytocin levels and higher childhood trauma scores than healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between childhood trauma scores and psychopathology, with plasma oxytocin levels being inversely associated with psychopathology, except for positive symptoms. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that both childhood trauma scores and plasma oxytocin levels significantly predicted psychopathology. Plasma oxytocin levels partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and schizophrenia psychopathology. This study underscores the potential role of oxytocin in bridging the gap between childhood trauma and schizophrenia.

Domestic violence as a risk factor of maternal filicide.

This paper will investigate precursors to maternal filicide, focusing on domestic violence. While psychosis is often well described, less frequently explored are the connections between prior trauma, domestic violence, depression, and filicide. We will discuss reasons why a woman may not disclose domestic violence and suggest possible areas for intervention. We present a case involving domestic violence, its impact on mental health, and eventual filicide. We then present an alternative scenario of the same case where filicide is considered, but is avoided. The case of the mother who experienced domestic violenceand was accused and sentenced for filicide is seen in greater relief by presenting the case in an alternative scenario with effective interventions. It is clear the availability and the ability to access community supports, such as obstetric and pediatric screening, psychiatric treatment, domestic violence shelters, intimate partner violence outreach services, parenting support groups, and hospital social work case management, tragedies such as filicide can be prevented. Traumatic early childhood experiences predispose people to a stress-response system that is more prone to inactivity and impulsivity. This can cause women in domestic violence relationships to stay, limit their options for family planning, become increasingly depressed, not seek community support, and risk impulsive action of harming their child. This risk can be mitigated by building stable relationships with their medical team, treating depression, connecting with home visitation programs, and being empowered to access contraception.

Research progress on the mechanism of the impact of maternal childhood trauma on intergenerational transmission

Childhood trauma refers to trauma experiences encountered during childhood and adolescence. Maternal childhood trauma experiences have a lasting impact on the next generation, affecting their physical and mental well-being. The mechanisms involved include the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, inflammatory factors, brain structure and function, gene interactions, and parenting styles. This paper systematically reviews the mechanisms of the impact of maternal childhood trauma on intergenerational transmission, providing insights for the prevention of intergenerational transmission of childhood trauma.

A psychometric analysis of the Early Trauma Inventory-Short Form in Colombia: CTT and Rasch model

BackgroundPotential childhood traumatic experiences increase risk for mental and physical health disorders and their precise assessment can help to promote health prevention and promotion strategies for countries with limited data and measurement strategies like Colombia. ObjectiveThe goal of the present study is to strengthen evidence for the validity of scores from an adapted version of the Early Trauma Inventory self report-short form (ETI-SF) using Item Response Theory and by assessing factorial invariance across gender and education level. Participants and settingThe study assessed a total of 1909 Colombian participants (66.16 % women, 32.16 % men, 1.68 % other gender; age range 18–72 years old). MethodsParticipants answered the ETI-SF via a web-based sampling strategy. ResultsThe total scores of the scale showed good reliability coefficients (α = 0.81 and ω = 0.60). A specific analysis for the subscales showed good reliability for the emotional, physical, and sexual trauma subscales (αs and ωs >0.64), while general trauma showed lower than accepted reliability values (α =0.56 and ω = 0.37). Most of the individual items of the scale showed good calibration. The factorial invariance analysis suggests the possibility of some gender and educational differences. ConclusionsThe study confirms particularly high rates of potential childhood traumatic experiences in Colombia and complement data for specific trauma types. Overall, the ETI-SF is confirmed as useful for Colombia, which highlights this scale as a good tool to use for public health assessment. Future research can continue the integration of diverse methods for estimating the quality of the scale.

Pathways to—But Not Through? Revisiting the Trauma and Recidivism Relationship Among System-Involved Youth

Research has demonstrated that exposure to traumatic experiences in childhood and adolescence can result in adverse outcomes, including mental health concerns, school troubles, delinquency, and juvenile justice system involvement. The current study draws on a framework informed by feminist pathways and trauma theories to revisit the effect of traumatic experiences on recidivism two years following initial system contact. Data from a Midwestern juvenile court illustrated traumatic experiences are common pathways into the system but are not predictive of experiences through the system using general recidivism outcome measures. However, several other variables predicted youth receiving new petitions. The effects of race/ethnicity and age are more pronounced when the sample was disaggregated by referral unit (truancy vs. delinquency unit). We discuss different methodological and measurement factors to consider when examining the trauma-recidivism relationship.

The Effects of Prenatal Depression Levels on Prenatal Attachment: The Moderating Role of Childhood Trauma Experiences

The Effects of Prenatal Depression Levels on Prenatal Attachment: The Moderating Role of Childhood Trauma Experiences

The Relationship Between Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Bodily Distress Syndrome: The Mediating Role of Somatoform Dissociation

This research aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and bodily distress syndrome, and the mediating role of somatoform dissociation. A total of 241 individuals living in Iran aged 20–40 years (M = 26.41 years, SD = 6.30; 74.7% females) were selected by convenience sampling to participate online in the research in March 2023. They answered the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), the Bodily Distress Syndrome Checklist (BDS-25), and the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20). The results of the structural equation modeling showed that the model had a good fit, and significant relationships were observed between childhood traumatic experiences and bodily distress syndrome, between childhood traumatic experiences and somatoform dissociation, and also between somatoform dissociation and bodily distress syndrome. The results indicated that somatoform dissociation partially mediates the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and bodily distress syndrome. Furthermore, the prevalence of bodily distress syndrome was higher in the female than the male participants. The results thus highlight the role of childhood traumatic experiences and somatoform dissociation in creating bodily distress syndrome.

DP2LM: leveraging deep learning approach for estimation and hypothesis testing on mediation effects with high-dimensional mediators and complex confounders.

Traditional linear mediation analysis has inherent limitations when it comes to handling high-dimensional mediators. Particularly, accurately estimating and rigorously inferring mediation effects is challenging, primarily due to the intertwined nature of the mediator selection issue. Despite recent developments, the existing methods are inadequate for addressing the complex relationships introduced by confounders. To tackle these challenges, we propose a novel approach called DP2LM (Deep neural network-based Penalized Partially Linear Mediation). This approach incorporates deep neural network techniques to account for nonlinear effects in confounders and utilizes the penalized partially linear model to accommodate high dimensionality. Unlike most existing works that concentrate on mediator selection, our method prioritizes estimation and inference on mediation effects. Specifically, we develop test procedures for testing the direct and indirect mediation effects. Theoretical analysis shows that the tests maintain the Type-I error rate. In simulation studies, DP2LM demonstrates its superior performance as a modeling tool for complex data, outperforming existing approaches in a wide range of settings and providing reliable estimation and inference in scenarios involving a considerable number of mediators. Further, we apply DP2LM to investigate the mediation effect of DNA methylation on cortisol stress reactivity in individuals who experienced childhood trauma, uncovering new insights through a comprehensive analysis.

Folie et Société: eroding the body-mind relationship via dysfunctional paternalistic systems.

This theoretical perspective examines the proposition of shared complex trauma between a parent and child, arising from blurred relational boundaries and societal oppression, leading to inequality both at home and within the larger paternalistic system of society. Specifically, the focus is on living within a paternalistic, authoritarian system where rules are unjust, demanding obedience and compliance without questioning the behaviors of the authority. Individuals growing up in these circumstances are subject to adverse and emotionally overwhelming experiences, which lead to the creation of emotional memory images (EMIs). The delusion in which the child is caught up becomes a reality for the child as time passes. This phenomenon is recognized in psychiatry as "Folie à deux" (the madness of two or more) at the micro level, and "Folie et Société" (the madness of society) on the macro level. Complex trauma, derived from a child's exposure to multiple adverse events, can erode the mind-body relationship, impacting both mental and physical health. These traumatic experiences in early childhood can manifest as body-focused disorders in adolescents, prevailing throughout adulthood if left unattended. This article provides a theoretical perspective on dealing with the dissociation and chronic stress related to oppressive and authoritarian family systems. The broader implications of this article include highlighting the psychophysiological underpinnings of complex trauma, the relationship of a highly oppressive paternalistic authoritarian system imposed on children and adolescents, and the role of Split-Second Unlearning as a therapeutic intervention to clear EMIs and improve overall health outcomes.

A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Meta-Analysis of Childhood Trauma

BackgroundTraumatic experiences during childhood significantly impact the developing brain and contribute to the development of numerous physical and mental health problems. To date, however, a comprehensive understanding of the functional impairments within the brain associated with childhood trauma histories does not exist. Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) meta-analytical tools required homogeneity of task types and the clinical populations studied, thus preventing the comprehensive pooling of brain-based deficits present in children who have trauma histories. We hypothesized that the use of the novel, data-driven Bayesian author-topic model approach to fMRI meta-analyses would reveal deficits in brain networks that span fMRI task types in children with trauma histories. MethodsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to use the Bayesian author-topic model approach to fMRI meta-analyses within a clinical population. Using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, we present data-driven results obtained by combining activation patterns across heterogeneous tasks from 1428 initially screened studies and combining data from 14 studies that met study criteria (285 children with trauma histories, 297 healthy control children). ResultsAltered brain activity was revealed within 2 clusters in children with trauma histories compared to control children: the default mode/affective network/posterior insula and the central executive network. Our identified clusters were associated with tasks pertaining to cognitive processing, emotional/social stress, self-referential thought, memory, unexpected stimuli, and avoidance behaviors in youths who have experienced childhood trauma. ConclusionsOur results reveal disturbances in children with trauma histories within the modulation of the default mode and central executive networks—but not the salience network—regardless of whether children also presented with posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Maternal childhood trauma and toddlers’ behavioural and endocrine reactions to a crying baby doll

BackgroundChildhood trauma can have long-term consequences for survivors, but also for survivors’ children. Children of childhood trauma survivors are more likely to develop aggressive and antisocial behaviour problems, indicating that parents’ childhood trauma may affect children’s social development. Less is known, however, about how maternal childhood trauma may affect positive aspects of children’s social behaviour, like their empathic and prosocial responses to witnessing others’ distress. Additionally, some studies suggest that maternal childhood trauma may also affect children’s physiology, particularly their endocrine responses to (dis)stress. We therefore examined the link between maternal childhood trauma experiences and children’s behavioural and endocrine responses to witnessing distress in others. MethodsWe recruited 75 mothers with 12-24 month-old toddlers. Mothers’ childhood trauma experiences was assessed and toddlers were exposed to a realistic-looking, crying baby doll, to assess their levels of distress, empathic concern for, and prosocial behaviour towards the doll. Saliva samples were taken two times prior to and one time 25minutes after exposing children to the crying doll, to assess toddlers’ baseline and reactivity cortisol concentrations in response to the crying doll. ResultsData analysis is still ongoing. The results contribute to understanding whether maternal childhood trauma can affect children’s behavioural and endocrine responses to others’ distress. ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study examining whether maternal childhood trauma can affect children’s responses – both behavioural and endocrine – to others’ distress. Our study may contribute to understand the intergenerational effects of childhood trauma on child social development.

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ): Greek translation and psychometric validation in general and clinical population.

Exposure to childhood trauma experiences shows a high prevalence worldwide, with approximately two-thirds of the general population reporting traumatic experiences during childhood. The valid psychometric assessment of childhood trauma experience represents, however, a significant challenge in clinical research and practice. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF) embodies the most valid and internationally widely used tool for the retrospective assessment of traumatic experiences during childhood to date. The purpose of this study was the Greek translation of the questionnaire and its validation in both a general and clinical population. Participants completed electronically the Greek translation of the CTQ-SF, the Early Trauma Questionnaire (ETI-SR-SF), the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-40), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS- SF), the Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) to examine psychometric properties of the questionnaire (e.g., internal consistency, concurrent, convergent and divergent validity), but also to investigate the relationship between childhood trauma exposure and psychological well-being and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The total study sample (TS) consisted of 722 adults (606 women), of which 155 declared the existence of a psychiatric diagnosis (PD) and 567 constituted the general population (GP) sample. The most common trauma types reported were emotional abuse (29.1%), emotional neglect (23.7%), and physical abuse (24.6%). The CTQ-SF questionnaire showed high levels of internal consistency based on the Cronbach α coefficient (TS = 0.92, PD = 0.92, GP = 0.92), high concurrent and convergent validity and satisfactory convergent validity. In addition, self-reported childhood trauma was highly positively correlated to negative affect and anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as negatively to psychological well-being. Our results confirm that the Greek Version of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF) is a reliable and valid tool that can be used for the retrospective assessment of traumatic childhood experiences both in the general and in the clinical adult Greek population.

Application of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy among children and adolescents with childhood household dysfunction.

Childhood household dysfunction (CHD) is a common adverse childhood experience, which brings the heavy physical and mental afflictions to children and adolescents. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps children and adolescents who have experienced childhood trauma with traumatic memories. It aims to enhance the coping abilities of CHD children and adolescents, thereby improving the negative effects caused by trauma and effectively reducing psychological burden. TF-CBT can effectively improve post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional and behavioral problems, and family function in children and adolescents with CHD. It is recommended to conduct high-quality original research in the future, develop targeted TF-CBT intervention plans based on potential predictive factors, adopt a combination of online and offline methods, and construct TF-CBT interventions suitable for the Chinese CHD population to meet the mental health service needs of CHD children and adolescents.

The Relationship between Childhood Trauma Experiences and Psychotic Vulnerability in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: An Italian Cross-Sectional Study.

People with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are at increased risk of developing psychotic disorders; yet little is known about specific clinical features which might hint at this vulnerability. The present study was aimed at elucidating the pathophysiological mechanism linking OCD to psychosis through the investigation of childhood trauma experiences in adolescents and adults with OCD. One hundred outpatients, aged between 12 and 65 years old, were administered the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and its Child version (CY-BOCS), as well as the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ); Cognitive-Perceptual basic symptoms (COPER) and high-risk criterion Cognitive Disturbances (COGDIS) were assessed in the study sample. Greater childhood trauma experiences were found to predict psychotic vulnerability (p = 0.018), as well as more severe OCD symptoms (p = 0.010) and an earlier age of OCD onset (p = 0.050). Participants with psychotic vulnerability reported higher scores on childhood trauma experiences (p = 0.02), specifically in the emotional neglect domain (p = 0.01). In turn, emotional neglect and psychotic vulnerability were found higher in the pediatric group than in the adult group (p = 0.01). Our findings suggest that childhood trauma in people with OCD may represent an indicator of psychotic vulnerability, especially in those with an earlier OCD onset. Research on the pathogenic pathways linking trauma, OCD, and psychosis is needed.

Childhood traumatic experiences in people with obesity with and without eating disorders who are seeking bariatric surgery: the role of attachment relationships and family functioning.

The present study examines the impact of traumatic childhood experiences in people with obesity seeking bariatric surgery. It considers the presence of eating disorders (ED) in the population with obesity and tests the role of attachment and family relationships as mediators of the relationship between traumatic events and ED. 110 participants with severe obesity and 98 participants of a healthy weight (control group) filled out The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV). Comparing the two groups on psychological variables, higher scores in the CTQ Emotional neglect and ASQ insecure attachment scales emerged in the control group than the group with obesity. Considering the presence/absence of an ED only in the group with obesity, and comparing these subgroups, higher scores in traumatic experiences emerged in the individuals with obesity and with ED than the individuals with obesity without ED. Moreover, participants with ED scored higher in ASQ insecure attachment and had lower levels of flexibility in family functioning than the group without ED. Finally, Logistic Regression models showed that insecure anxious attachment and dysfunctional familial relationships affected the relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and the presence of ED in the group with obesity. These findings suggest the importance focusing on psychosocial factors linked to obesity, specifically on attachment styles and familial relationships as emotion regulation strategies, since the impact of traumatic childhood events on psychopathology could be ameliorated by an individual's ability to rely on a significant attachment figure. Level II, evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.

Childhood trauma and major depression in Chinese college students: mediating role of Internet addiction and victimization of domestic violence

Aim: Major depression disorder in adolescents has received much attention around the world. While the factors correlated with major depression in adolescents have been extensively described, the mechanisms underlying the complexity of the relationship between childhood traumatic experiences and major depression have been less studied. This study investigated both the direct influence of childhood trauma on major depression and whether the mediation of domestic violence victimization and Internet addiction played a role in connecting childhood trauma to major depression. Method: The school-based mental health survey was conducted in April 2023 in northeast Chinas Heilongjiang Province. We collected sociodemographic information and targeted mental health outcomes with standardized questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Results: The study included 596 college students. The prevalence of major depression and Internet addiction was 31.2% and 21.6%, respectively. 16.4% of participants reported experiences of childhood trauma and 12.8% reported being victims of domestic violence. Childhood trauma, domestic violence victimization and Internet addiction have direct effects on major depression. The total effect of childhood trauma on suicidal ideation was 0.201 (p < 0.001). Domestic violence victimization and Internet addiction play mediating roles between childhood trauma and depression. Internet addiction plays a mediating role between domestic violence and major depression. Childhood trauma has direct and indirect effects on major depression of college students. Domestic violence victimization and Internet addiction play mediating roles in major depression of college students. Understanding these relationships will help develop and implement more targeted interventions and strategies to improve the mental health of Chinese college students.

The Psychological Development of Children Affected by Domestic Violence: An Examination via the Lenses of Resilience and Cognitive Development

Domestic violence, or DV, is a significant socioeconomic problem. Children, being the primary recipients of domestic violence, can experience its effects via either direct or indirect means. Directly, domestic violence can cause emotional problems and attention biases in children themselves. DV can also affect the mental health development of children by affecting the psychological condition of the mother. The emotional, psychological, and cognitive development of children can be adversely affected by domestic abuse. And in the long term these effects may persist into old age, causing irreversible damage to individual development, such as emotional issues and attention bias. This study aims to provide a comprehensive description and analysis of domestic violence and traumatic childhood experiences, focusing on their profound influence on the psychological development of children in both the immediate and prolonged periods. Finally, some recommendations for responding to domestic violence of which children are victims. The present study suggests that teenagers can be influenced by DV starts with the children themselves and their families, and that negative effect of DV on children's development will only be reduced by addressing domestic violence at its source.

Childhood trauma and factors influencing primary school teachers' reporting of child abuse: Insights from Italy

BackgroundChildhood traumatic experiences can profoundly impact individuals, posing risks to the physical and psychological well-being of children and influencing their psychological development. Teachers in primary schools play a critical role in identifying and reporting suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment (CAM), which initiates child protection interventions. However, the psychological factors that influence teachers' likelihood of reporting suspected CAM cases remain largely unexplored. AimThis study investigates the influence of teachers' childhood traumatic experiences and psychological factors (i.e., cognitive empathy and psychological detachment) on their reporting behavior regarding child abuse and maltreatment, addressing an important social issue. ParticipantsThe study involved 1380 primary school teachers from Italy (88.3 % female; aged 21–69, Mage 46.7, DS 10.3). ResultsThe results reveal that teachers with a history of childhood emotional abuse tend to report a higher number of suspected child abuse and maltreatment cases. Other forms of traumatic childhood experiences were not significantly associated with teachers' reporting suspected cases of CAM. Additionally, cognitive empathy and psychological detachment emerge as significant predictors of teachers' reporting behavior. ConclusionsThis research contributes to the existing literature by providing unique insights into actual reporting behavior within an unexplored cultural context.