High Levels Of Physical Abuse Research Articles

Associations between parenting burnout and maternal adverse childhood experiences among postnatal women

ABSTRACT This study aims at exploring the relationships between adverse childhood experience (ACEs) and parental burnout. A total of 583 postnatal Chinese mothers were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Maternal ACEs were measured by Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire-Revised and parental burnout was measured by Parental Burnout Assessment. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression, and latent class analysis were used to explore the association between each type and cumulative ACEs and parental burnout. We found ACEs were associated with a higher risk of parental burnout. However, the association differed in the type of ACEs. The higher levels of physical abuse (B = 0.971 ~ 0.459, all p < 0.05) and emotional neglect (B = 1.010 ~ 1.407, all p < 0.05) in childhood were correlated with more serious parental burnout. The higher levels of self-threatened (B = 0.429 ~ 0.559, all p < 0.05) and self-deprived experience (B = 0.384 ~ 0.462, all p < 0.05), higher number of ACEs type (B = 2.909 ~ 3.918, all p < 0.05) were associated with more serious parental burnout. Results were consistent after combining four dimensions of parental burnout as a whole in LCA. This study indicated that maternal ACEs were associated with parental burnout. Women with self-deprived, self-threatened and more types of ACEs should be paid special attention.

The longitudinal relationship between parental abuse and traditional bullying in Chinese culture: A latent transition analysis

To examine the differentiation patterns and transition characteristics of children's bullying in the Chinese cultural context and the role of gender and parental abuse in the transition process, a total of 897 Chinese children participated in three tracking surveys over the course of one year. Latent profile analysis identified a low bullying group, a moderate bullying group, and a high bullying group at all three time points. Latent transition analysis indicated that 67.45% of children had stable bullying patterns, 32.55% of children's bullying patterns changed over time, and boys and children with high levels of physical abuse were more likely to change bullying patterns. In addition, compared to the low bullying stability group, children who experienced physical abuse were more likely to be in the low-moderate-high transition group, and children who experienced emotional abuse were more likely to be in the moderate stability group. Our study provides a new perspective on ways that parental abuse contributes to trajectories of bullying over time.

Gender Inequality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Associations with Parental Physical Abuse and Moderation by Child Gender.

Gender inequality perpetuates women’s economic insecurity and a culture of violence. Parental distress caused by economic pressure may increase violence against children. High levels of gender inequality and interpersonal violence may contribute to higher levels of physical abuse. Using an ecological perspective, this study examines the association of country-level gender inequality and household-level parental physical abuse, and the moderating role of child gender in this association in low- and middle-income countries. We used data on over 420,000 households from the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys and country-level indicators from the United Nations Development Program Human Development data. We employed multilevel logistic regression to examine the association between gender inequality with the log-odds of physical abuse after accounting for country- and individual-level covariates. In order to more fully explore our results, we calculated predicted probabilities of abuse for several scenarios. The results indicated that higher levels of gender inequality were associated with higher probabilities of physical abuse. This association was stronger for female children than for male children. The probabilities of abuse by child gender were indistinguishable, although rates of physical abuse converged as gender inequality increased, at a statistically marginal level. These findings indicate that macro-level interventions that reduce gender inequality are necessary to prevent and reduce child physical abuse.

Heart Rate Variability and Inflammatory Stress Response in Young African American Men: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk.

Background: African American men have a disproportionately higher incidence of and suffer greater severity and earlier death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). A common feature of many diseases, which disproportionately afflict disadvantaged African Americans, is inflammation. In particular, inflammation plays a decisive role in the pathogenesis of CVD in that persistent inflammation contributes to plaque evolution and destabilization. Adverse childhood experiences increase the risk for adult inflammatory based disease, particularly cardiovascular disease. This inflammatory burden becomes evident during stressful events and may be related to alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. We previously reported that African American men who experienced childhood adversity exhibited a greater inflammatory (IL-6) response to acute stress challenge (Trier Social Stress Test – TSST). The purpose of this study was to determine whether altered ANS activity, as measured by heart rate variability (HRV), contributes to a greater proinflammatory response to stress in those exposed to childhood adversity.Methods: Thirty-four African American adult males underwent the TSST while instrumented with Holter monitors to record continuous heart rate for HRV determination. HRV was calculated as the low frequency (LF) to high frequency (HF) heart rate ratio (LF/HF), with higher LF/HF ratios corresponding to higher sympathetic vs. parasympathetic activity. Salivary samples were collected pre- and post-TSST to measure the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. Childhood adversity was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire.Results: Hierarchical linear modeling demonstrated that higher levels of physical abuse were related to a steeper rise in LF/HF ratio during the TSST. Further, a higher LF/HF ratio, in combination with greater exposure to emotional and physical abuse was associated with a greater IL-6 response to the TSST.Conclusions: These findings suggest that adverse childhood experiences associate with an adult phenotype characterized by an altered ANS response to stress as well as a greater proinflammatory (IL-6) response to an acute stressor. Elevations in salivary inflammatory markers have been associated with increased CVD risk. In conclusion, these findings suggest a role for the ANS in the underlying neuro-biological processes whereby childhood adversity predisposes to a more intense inflammatory response to stressful challenge during adulthood.

Oxytocin receptor gene, childhood maltreatment and borderline personality disorder features among male inmates in China

BackgroundBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is caused by a variety of biological and environmental factors. Accumulating evidence suggests that childhood maltreatment is a risk environmental factor in the development of BPD, but research on the genetic pathology of BPD is still in its early stages, and very little is known about the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. The purpose of this study is to further explore the interactive effects between OXTR gene polymorphisms and childhood maltreatment on BPD risk.MethodsAmong the 1804 Chinese Han male inmates, 765 inmates who had BPD or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or highly impulsive or violent crime were considered as high-risk inmates and included in this study. Childhood maltreatment, BPD, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and impulsivity were measured by self-reported questionnaires. Peripheral venous blood was collected for the genotype test.ResultsAnalyses revealed that the BP group (inmates with BPD features) had higher rs53576 AA genotype frequency and rs237987 AA genotype frequency than the non-BP group, while the statistical significances were lost after Bonferroni correction. Total childhood maltreatment score, emotional abuse and neglect could positively predict BPD risk. Among the high-risk samples, rs53576 GG genotype carriers had higher BPD scores at higher levels of physical abuse and sexual abuse and had lower BPD scores at lower levels of physical abuse and sexual abuse.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the interaction between OXTR gene variations and childhood maltreatment is an important mechanism for the development of BPD. The moderating role of the OXTR gene provides evidence for gene plasticity.

T2. ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IN PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) pose a public health concern worldwide (Anda, Tietjen, Schulman, Felitti, & Croft, 2010). Prevalence rates of ACEs appear to vary widely among countries (Finkelhor, Hotaling, Lewis, & Smith, 1990). ACEs are associated with increased likelihood of developing a mental illness (Green et al., 2010), including schizophrenia (Gibson, Alloy, & Ellman, 2016). Although this is a well-established finding in Western samples, it has only been addressed in a South African sample in one study (Kilian et al., 2017). In the current study, we aimed to examine the association between ACEs and schizophrenia in a South African sample.MethodsParticipants included 34 individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 33 non-psychiatric control participants. Schizophrenia and control participants did not differ on mean age (t(65) = 1.16, p = .251) or ethnicity (X2 (3, N = 66) = 4.27, p = .234). Schizophrenia participants were recruited as part of a larger research protocol within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Stellenbosch in Stellenbosch, South Africa. ACEs were assessed using the short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ; Bernstein et al., 2003).ResultsSeparate independent t-tests were used to compare CTQ total and subscale scores between groups. Scores on the CTQ total and all subscales did not differ significantly between schizophrenia participants and controls (ps > .05)). Additional independent t-tests were used to compare CTQ scores in females with schizophrenia against female control subjects and males with schizophrenia against male controls. Females differed significantly between groups on one subscale, Physical Abuse, with female controls experiencing higher levels of physical abuse (t(65) = -2.33, p = .028). Males with schizophrenia scored significantly higher on the Emotional Neglect subscale (t(65) = 2.73, p = .010) and showed higher scores on the Physical Neglect subscale at a trend level of significance (t(65) = 2.03, p = .055). Males with schizophrenia also scored significantly higher on overall Neglect total (t(65) = 2.83, p = .008). Separate independent t-tests were used to compare groups on the number of types of traumas experienced in childhood. Number of types of trauma did not differ significantly between groups (t(64) = .228, p = .820).DiscussionIn the current study, we found no differences in the overall number of ACEs in people with schizophrenia as compared to non-psychiatric control participants. As well, we did not find overall differences in ACEs in females and males with schizophrenia. These findings are in contrast to most previous research. This study may highlight limitations in measuring ACEs across cultures using the CTQ.

Extracellular Vesicle Biomarkers Reveal Inhibition of Neuroinflammation by Infliximab in Association with Antidepressant Response in Adults with Bipolar Depression.

Accumulating evidence suggests that neuroinflammation is involved in bipolar disorder (BD) pathogenesis. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonist infliximab was recently reported to improve depressive symptoms in a subpopulation of individuals with BD and history of childhood maltreatment. To explore the mechanistic mediators of infliximab’s effects, we investigated its engagement with biomarkers of cellular response to inflammation derived from plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin (NEVs). We hypothesized that infliximab, compared to placebo, would decrease TNF-α receptors (TNFRs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway signaling biomarkers, and that history of childhood abuse would moderate infliximab’s effects. We immunocaptured NEVs from plasma samples collected at baseline and at weeks 2, 6, and 12 (endpoint) from 55 participants of this clinical trial and measured NEV biomarkers using immunoassays. A subset of participants (n = 27) also underwent whole-brain magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and endpoint. Childhood physical abuse moderated treatment by time interactions for TNFR1 (χ2 = 9.275, p = 0.026), NF-κB (χ2 = 13.825, p = 0.003), and inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα)α (χ2 = 7.990, p = 0.046), indicating that higher levels of physical abuse were associated with larger biomarker decreases over time. Moreover, the antidepressant response to infliximab was moderated by TNFR1 (χ2 = 7.997, p = 0.046). In infliximab-treated participants, reductions in TNFR1 levels were associated with improvement of depressive symptoms, an effect not detected in the placebo group. Conversely, reductions in TNFR1 levels were associated with increased global cortical thickness in infliximab- (r = −0.581, p = 0.029), but not placebo-treated, patients (r = 0.196, p = 0.501). In conclusion, we report that NEVs revealed that infliximab engaged the TNFR/NF-κB neuro-inflammatory pathway in individuals with BD, in a childhood trauma-dependent manner, which was associated with clinical response and brain structural changes.

The Psychology of Kink: a Survey Study into the Relationships of Trauma and Attachment Style with BDSM Interests

BDSM is a prevalent type of sexual expression that refers to Bondage and Discipline (BD), Dominance and Submission (DS), and Sadism and Masochism (SM). It has been speculated that a substantial percentage of BDSM practitioners have experienced (sexual) trauma in the past. Attachment style is an additional factor resulting from early life dynamics that has been suggested to potentially influence BDSM interests. This study will investigate to what extent BDSM interests are related to trauma and attachment style, while differentiating between BDSM community practitioners and private practitioners. A group of 771 BDSM practitioners and 518 non-practitioners from the general population completed a survey in 2017 assessing BDSM interests as well as the Brief Trauma Questionnaire to gauge traumatic events and the Relationships Questionnaire to assess attachment style. Community BDSM practitioners and private practitioners reported higher levels of physical abuse in adulthood but no significant differences emerged for other traumatic experiences including childhood physical abuse or unwanted sexual trauma. Surprisingly, BDSM practitioners had more secure and at the same time more anxious-preoccupied attachment styles compared to non-practitioners. Besides, secure attachment style was associated with dominance, whereas the anxious-avoidant attachment style was associated with submissiveness. Intensity of BDSM interest was predicted by secure attachment style, gender, sexual orientation, and living area. Thus, our findings do not support the hypothesis of BDSM being a maladaptive coping mechanism in response to early life dynamics. BDSM practices deserve perception as normal sexual practice free from stigmatization rather than deviant behavior.

Challenges faced by marginalized communities such as transgenders in Pakistan.

IntroductionStigmatization, social exclusion and consequent banishment from the society makes transgender's life even tougher; isolating, pushing and forcing them into inappropriate conducts/habits like selling sex. This study investigates the association of social exclusion/victimization with high-risk behaviors among transgender community of Rawalpindi and Islamabad (Pakistan).MethodsThrough a cross-sectional study design, a sample of 189 transgender community living in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad was selected using snowball sampling technique. A validated close ended questionnaire was used to estimate the high-risk behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the competing outcomes associated with suicidal risk, selling sex and substance abuse.ResultsMajority study participants 77.8% experienced physical attacks with institutional discrimination even higher (91.5%). Commercial sex work and drug abuse was reported in 39.2% and 37.6% respectively. The prevalence of suicide ideation was high (38.6%) however, suicide attempted rate was less (18.5%). In the multivariate logistic regression, compared to those with no risk, being physically attacked increased the odds of both attempting (OR=2.18) and contemplating suicide and selling sex (OR=4.10). Nevertheless, the relative impact of institutional victimization on suicidal behavior was higher among those who were targeted on the basis of their gender identity or expression (AOR = 6.20, CI = 1.58-24.29, p=0.009).ConclusionThe transgender community is socially excluded by the Pakistani society where they experience high levels of physical abuse and face discriminatory behavior in daily life. Such attitudes make them vulnerable for risky behaviors; forcing them to become commercial sex workers, begging, drugs use and even suicidal ideation.

Physical victimization, gender identity and suicide risk among transgender men and women.

We investigated whether being attacked physically due to one's gender identity or expression was associated with suicide risk among trans men and women living in Virginia. The sample consisted of 350 transgender men and women who participated in the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Survey (THIS). Multivariate multinomial logistic regression was used to explore the competing outcomes associated with suicidal risk. Thirty-seven percent of trans men and women experienced at least one physical attack since the age of 13. On average, individuals experienced 3.97 (SD = 2.86) physical attacks; among these about half were attributed to one's gender identity or expression (mean = 2.08, SD = 1.96). In the multivariate multinomial regression, compared to those with no risk, being physically attacked increased the odds of both attempting and contemplating suicide regardless of gender attribution. Nevertheless, the relative impact of physical victimization on suicidal behavior was higher among those who were targeted on the basis of their gender identity or expression. Finally, no significant association was found between multiple measures of institutional discrimination and suicide risk once discriminatory and non-discriminatory physical victimization was taken into account. Trans men and women experience high levels of physical abuse and face multiple forms of discrimination. They are also at an increased risk for suicidal tendencies. Interventions that help transindividuals cope with discrimination and physical victimization simultaneously may be more effective in saving lives.

Early Intervention: A foundation for lifelong violence prevention

High levels of violence affect every family in South Africa. Exposure to violence starts early, in both the home and community. There are high levels of physical abuse of children, and the national under-five homicide rate is more than double that of other low- and middle-income countries. Rates of violence are particularly high in poorer communities in the country, and many children already made vulnerable by poverty are also at risk from increased exposure to violence.

Early intervention: A foundation for lifelong violence prevention

High levels of violence affect every family in South Africa. Exposure to violence starts early, in both the home and community. There are high levels of physical abuse of children and the national under-five homicide rate is more than double that of other low- and middle-income countries. Rates of violence are particularly high in poorer communities in the country, and many children already made vulnerable by poverty are also at risk from increased exposure to violence.

Early intervention: A foundation for lifelong violence prevention

High levels of violence affect every family in South Africa. Exposure to violence starts early, in both the home and community. There are high levels of physical abuse of children and the national under-five homicide rate is more than double that of other low- and middle-income countries. Rates of violence are particularly high in poorer communities in the country, and many children already made vulnerable by poverty are also at risk from increased exposure to violence.

Early Intervention: A foundation for lifelong violence prevention

High levels of violence affect every family in South Africa. Exposure to violence starts early, in both the home and community. There are high levels of physical abuse of children, and the national under-five homicide rate is more than double that of other low- and middle-income countries. Rates of violence are particularly high in poorer communities in the country, and many children already made vulnerable by poverty are also at risk from increased exposure to violence.

Does self-blame moderate psychological adjustment following intimate partner violence?

This study explored whether self-blame moderates the relationship between exposure to specific types of abuse and both poor general psychological adjustment (i.e., self-esteem) and specific symptomatology (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) among women who had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Eighty female IPV survivors were involved in this study. Results indicated that self-blame was negatively associated with self-esteem for physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. Self-blame moderated physical abuse, such that high levels of physical abuse interacted with high levels of self-blame in their association with PTSD. Nonsignificant models were noted for psychological and sexual abuse in association with self-blame and PTSD. These findings support the conceptualization that self-blame is associated with both general and specific psychological outcomes in the aftermath of IPV. Future research examining different forms of blame associated with IPV might further untangle inconsistencies in the self-blame literature.

Physical and sexual intimate partner violence, women's health and children's behavioural functioning: entry analysis of a seven‐year prospective study

To increase knowledge of physical and sexual intimate partner violence against women, its impact on women's health and children's behavioural functioning. Physical assault and sexual assault frequently co-occur. Women who experience both physical and sexual violence are at risk of poorer health outcomes than women who experience only physical violence. The behavioural functioning of children of women who experience partner violence may be adversely affected. Cross-sectional, using baseline data from a seven-year prospective study. Data related to severity of abuse (both physical and sexual) and the outcome measures of maternal (n = 300) mental health measures, risk of lethality, chronic pain and child (n = 300) behavioural functioning were analysed. Higher physical abuse scores were significantly correlated with higher sexual abuse scores, and higher levels of physical abuse were associated with higher maternal anxiety and higher child externalisation scores. Higher levels of sexual abuse were associated with higher maternal somatisation and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and higher child internalisation scores and total problems. These initial findings suggest that children have behavioural functioning and coping that is closely related to their mothers' functioning, which is based on the type of abuse experienced by the mothers. As we gain a greater understanding of these issues, we will be better able to develop effective policies and therapeutic interventions to help abused women and their children. Findings for the mental health functioning of women participating in this study add to the overwhelming evidence for the importance of screening for partner violence when women present for health care and for the need for effective assistance services for women who have or are currently experiencing partner violence. They also support emerging research that indicates the great need to provide effective services for the children of abused women.

Child maltreatment in an incarcerated sample in China: Prediction for crime types in adulthood

Abstract The consequences of child maltreatment have drawn increased attention in the West. Evidence has associated such maltreatment with mental health problems, the adult personality disorders, and subsequent criminal behavior. However, little is known about its prevalence and consequences in China, especially the relationship between child maltreatment and criminal behavior. The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to explore the prevalence of self-reported child maltreatment in an incarcerated adult sample in China, and, (2) to examine relationships between child maltreatment and offense types. A retrospective self-reported survey was administered to a sample of 2690 incarcerated adults (2410 male and 280 female) in all eleven jails in Beijing, China. For Aim 1, participants completed a self-reported survey that included Childhood Trauma Questionnaire assessing five types of child maltreatment (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect). For Aim 2, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and logistic regression were conducted to identify the relationship between child maltreatment and crime types with the subsample of 702 male individuals with the available data from three different jails. The prevalence of child maltreatment in the sample ranged from 16.5% for emotional abuse to 91.2% for physical neglect. Almost 90% of the participants reported more than one form of child maltreatment. Men and women had significantly different rates of physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional neglect. Men reported high levels of physical abuse, whereas women reported high levels of physical neglect. Of the subgroup with the crime type records, childhood physical abuse significantly predicted violent crime, whereas sexual abuse was inversely related to violent crime. This study is the first to report on child maltreatment among a large sample of incarcerated individuals in China. Findings indicate that the prevalence of child maltreatment among this population is extremely high, and that there is a relationship between childhood physical abuse and commitment to jail for violent crimes in adulthood. The data clearly indicate the importance of developing appropriate interventions in order to prevent child maltreatment.

Physical Abuse in Early Childhood and Transition to First Sexual Intercourse among Youth in Cape Town, South Africa

This study examined the relationship of physical abuse in early childhood and timing of first sexual intercourse among young South Africans aged 14 to 22 in Cape Town. Using the Cape Area Panel Survey and applying log-normal models, time ratios were estimated to show how rapidly or slowly youth experience first sexual intercourse. Results indicated that boys who experienced physical abuse in early childhood had faster timing to first sex. Boys and girls with violent school environments had faster timing to first sex. Race moderated the effects of physical abuse. Compared to Blacks, Coloreds who experienced higher levels of physical abuse in early childhood had faster timing to first sex. Youth with greater knowledge about HIV/AIDS and those with greater risk perception of contracting HIV/AIDS delayed first sex. On the basis of these findings, policy makers are encouraged to consider the early childhood experiences of youth when designing policies toward HIV/AIDS prevention in South Africa.

A Comparison of Batterers to Nonbatterers on Behavioral and Self‐Reports Measures of Control

This study compared batterers to nonbatterers on self‐report and behavioral measures of perceived control and desire for control. Differences were found for perceived control over general life events (batterers greater than nonbatterers), but not perceived control over relationship conflict or desire for control. Batterers low in desire for control and in perceived control over relationship conflicts reported higher levels of physical abuse. Perceived control was manipulated using Burger, Brown, &amp; Allen's (1983) behavioral choice task. Batterers who were given no choice reported increased negative affect. Batterers appear to respond to loss of control with negative affect, which may be a factor contributing to abuse perpetration. These results highlight the complexity of the relationship of perceived control and intimate partner violence.

Impact of family abuse on running away, deviance, and street victimization among homeless rural and urban youth

Problem Various demographic and familial risk factors have been linked to runaway behavior. To date, there has not been a systematic investigation of the impact of size of community on runaway behavior. This study will compare runaways from smaller cities and rural areas to their urban counterparts. Methods A convenience sample of 602 adolescents was interviewed between 1995 and August of 1996 in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, USA. Multiple regression was used to examine the association between gender, neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, geographic and family structure change, and community size of first runaway to predict age at first runaway, deviant subsistence strategies, and street victimization. Results Findings indicate that adolescents exposed to neglect ( β = −.20) and sexual abuse ( β = −.16) ran away sooner and were more likely to be victimized on the street. Rural adolescents who experienced higher levels of physical abuse relied more heavily on deviant subsistence strategies ( β = .15) and remained in abusive homes longer ( β = .15) than their similarly situated urban counterparts. Conclusions Rural youth who have been subjected to elevated levels of familial abuse are at greater risk of deviant subsistence strategies, which increase the likelihood of street victimization.