Physical Abuse Research Articles

Investigating the contribution of childhood maltreatment to suicide attempt: A multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

Childhood maltreatment has been associated with suicidal behavior. However, whether this risk is causal and uniquely due to consequences of childhood maltreatment such as mental disorders, socioeconomic difficulties, and cognitive skills impairments needs clarification. We investigated direct and indirect contributions of childhood maltreatment to suicide attempt using a two-sample multivariable Mendelian randomization design. We used 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms from the childhood maltreatment genome-wide association study as instruments for childhood maltreatment. Multivariable Mendelian randomization was used to investigate the association of childhood maltreatment with suicide attempt accounting for risk of major psychiatric disorders (major depression, schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), cognitive factors, and socioeconomic factors. Evidence supported a possible causal role of childhood maltreatment on suicide attempt (OR 4.36, CI 2.36-7.97). Significant associations with suicide attempt were identified for subtypes of maltreatment (physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse), although unclear for sexual abuse. In multivariable analyses, childhood maltreatment was associated with suicidal attempt independently from selected mental disorders, socioeconomic factors, and cognitive factors although these factors accounted for most of the association (OR 1.51, CI 1.10-2.09). To prevent suicide among children exposed to maltreatment, it may be important to combine interventions to reduce mental disorders, psychosocial intervention, and suicide-specific preventive intervention.

Association between self-reported child maltreatment and risk of hospital-treated infectious diseases in middle-aged and older adults: A UK Biobank cohort study.

This study aimed to explore the association between child maltreatment and hospital-treated infectious diseases in middle-aged and older adults. 145,151 participants aged 38-72 years from the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010 were enrolled and interviewed. Child maltreatment included five types: physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse. Patterns of maltreatment were identified using latent class analysis (LCA). Cox regression was employed to estimate the associations between child maltreatment (number of types, individual types, and patterns) and infectious diseases. Further, we evaluated potential mediators using mediation analysis. Over a median follow-up of 13.4 years, 22,688 participants (12.26 per 1000 person-years) were hospitalized for an infectious disease. Participants reporting any maltreatment had elevated infectious diseases risk (HR 1.18, 95 % CI: 1.15-1.21) than those without maltreatment. A dose-response relationship was observed between the number of maltreatment types and infectious disease (one, HR 1.09 [95 % CI 1.06-1.13]; two, HR 1.17 [95 % CI 1.12-1.23]; three to five, HR 1.48 [95 %CI 1.41-1.55]; Ptrend < 0.001). Each type of maltreatment was associated with increased infectious diseases risk. LCA identified four patterns (low maltreatment, child neglect, child abuse, and poly-maltreatment), with those experiencing poly-maltreatment exhibiting the highest infectious diseases risk (HR 1.51, 95 % CI: 1.43-1.59). The association between child maltreatment and infectious diseases was mediated by C-reactive protein, phenotypic age acceleration, loneliness, psychiatric disorders, and unhealthy lifestyles. Child maltreatment may increase susceptibility to a broad spectrum of infectious diseases in adulthood, highlighting the need for early-life maltreatment prevention policies.

Victimization, immigration status, and psychosocial well-being: A representative study among finnish adolescents.

Immigrant adolescents seem to be at risk for victimization and being victimized in adolescence is related to risk factors regarding mental health. This study compared the frequency and type of victimization experiences among immigrant and native Finnish adolescents and tested whether these experiences mediate the relationship between immigration status and psychosocial well-being. Additionally, willingness to disclose victimization experiences in anonymous questionnaires was compared between the groups. In this computer-based study a population-based sample of 5607 Finnish adolescents was used (Mage=15.23, SDage=0.42, Range 15 to 16years; 49.8% girls, 48.5% boys), of which 11.7% were immigrants. Twelve lifetime victimization experiences were assessed, and psychosocial well-being was measured with Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, crosstabulation and t-tests were used to report victimization experiences and participants' willingness to share them in an anonymous questionnaire. The relationship between immigration status and psychosocial well-being was investigated with mediation analysis, victimization experiences as mediator. Findings revealed that immigrant adolescents experienced more victimization, particularly in the form of property crimes, hate crimes, and physical and sexual abuse, than native adolescents. Victimization experiences were found to mediate the impact of immigration status on psychosocial well-being. Moreover, immigrant adolescents were less likely to disclose victimization experiences. The results suggest a potential underestimation of the prevalence of victimization experiences in immigrant adolescents, which warrants further investigation. As these experiences play an important role in the relationship between immigrant status and psychosocial well-being, the findings endorse assessing adverse experiences, as well as safe disclosure when planning psychosocial support and treatment for immigrant adolescents.

Abuse and neglect as indicators of unhealthy behaviours among 15-year-old schoolchildren in Albania

ObjectiveWe assessed the independent associations of lifetime child abuse and neglect indices with behavioural characteristics of children. Study designA cross-sectional study was conducted in Albania in 2022. MethodsParticipants consisted of a nationwide representative sample of 1877 schoolchildren aged 15 years (55 % girls; response: 96 %). Data on lifetime child abuse and neglect were collected, along with behavioural factors and sociodemographic characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the independent associations of child abuse and neglect with behavioural factors of schoolchildren. ResultsIrrespective of sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime physical abuse was positively related to lifetime smoking (OR = 1.8, 95%CI = 1.4–2.3), lifetime alcohol consumption (OR = 2.4, 95%CI = 1.9–2.9), and breakfast skipping (OR = 1.3, 95%CI = 1.0–1.6). Furthermore, positive independent factors associated with emotional abuse included lifetime alcohol intake (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.3–2.1) and breakfast skipping (OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.0–1.8). Additionally, positive factors associated with lifetime emotional neglect consisted of lifetime smoking (OR = 2.2, 95%CI = 1.6–3.0) and alcohol intake (OR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.5–2.6), and a lower fruit consumption (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.3–2.3). Positive factors associated with lifetime sexual abuse included lifetime alcohol consumption (OR = 2.4, 95%CI = 1.4–4.1) and especially smoking (OR = 4.3, 95%CI = 2.6–7.3). Also, lifetime witnessing of family violence was positively related to lifetime smoking (OR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.8–4.1) and alcohol intake (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.2–2.6). ConclusionsWe evidenced strong and consistent links between child maltreatment indices and unhealthy behavioural practices among 15-year-old children in Albania. These findings underscore the potential impact of early trauma on developmental trajectories. The association between child abuse and the adoption of detrimental behaviours highlights the urgent need for comprehensive support and intervention strategies to break the cycle of harm.

Contemporary Trends in Active and Intelligent Polymer Nanocomposite based Food Packaging Systems for Food Safety and Sustainability in the Modern Aeon

Abstract: The demand for innovative solutions has arisen from the inevitability of improved packaging systems to protect processed food from various factors that cause spoilage. Traditional food packaging materials have limitations in fulfilling all the requirements of consumers, such as being inert, cheap, lightweight, easily degradable, reusable, and resistant to physical abuse. Nanofillers incorporated in the polymer matrix can provide potential solutions to these challenges. This review paper deliberates the use of nanofillers in a polymer matrix to develop an active and intelligent polymer nanocomposites-based processed food packaging system. The present review article focuses on the properties of nanofillers and their potential benefits when incorporated into the polymer matrix. It also examines the challenges associated with developing such packaging systems and explores the ways to address them. It highlights the potential of nanofiller-based polymer nanocomposites in developing a novel food packaging system that can improve the shelf-life and quality of processed food. Such systems can protect food from dirt or dust, oxygen, light, moisture, and food-spoiling microorganisms. Incorporating nanofillers can provide a viable solution to these problems. Most importantly, this paper provides research insights into the potential benefits of nanofillers-based polymer nanocomposites and their applications in the food packaging industry. The verdicts of this review will be of interest to the food packaging industry, entrepreneurs and researchers interested in developing sustainable and innovative packaging systems.

Interpersonal violence moderates sustained-transient threat co-activation in the vmPFC and amygdala in a community sample of youth.

The increased risk for psychopathology associated with interpersonal violence exposure (IPV, e.g., physical abuse, sexual assault) is partially mediated by neurobiological alterations in threat-related processes. Evidence supports parsing neural circuitry related to transient and sustained threat, as they appear to be separable processes with distinct neurobiological underpinnings. Although childhood is a sensitive period for neurodevelopment, most prior work has been conducted in adult samples. Further, it is unknown how IPV exposure may impact transient-sustained threat neural interactions. The current study tested the moderating role of IPV exposure on sustained vmPFC-transient amygdala co-activation during an fMRI task during which threat and neutral cues were predictably or unpredictably presented. Analyses were conducted in a sample of 212 community-recruited youth (M/SDage = 11.77/2.44 years old; 51.9% male; 56.1% White/Caucasian). IPV-exposed youth evidenced a positive sustained vmPFC-transient amygdala co-activation, while youth with no IPV exposure did not show this association. Consistent with theoretical models, effects were specific to unpredictable, negative trials and to exposure to IPV (i.e., unrelated to non-IPV traumatic experiences). Although preliminary, these findings provide novel insight into how childhood IPV exposure may alter neural circuity involved in specific facets of threat processing.

Understanding Silent Eruptions of Depression among Youngsters and Adolescents

A calm insanity of any kind was included in the original broad definition of melancholia along with the present idea of affective illnesses, which today views mood as the primary disturbance, the term depression first appeared in the nineteenth century. A very complicated mental illness, major depressive disorder (MDD) is commonly referred to as depression. It is marked by a depressed mood, diminished interests, and disinterest in routine tasks, feelings of loneliness, impaired cognitive function, and vegetative symptoms like disturbed sleep or appetite and a lack of desire. Research illustrating the frequency of depression in kids and teens reveals that a sizable portion of kids in both age groups experience symptoms of despair. According to the analysis, there are no differences between the adult and child depression constructs in terms of mental classifications, and a comprehensive understanding of depression. Considering the child's developmental stage and cognitive and linguistic abilities, children with MDD share many of the same key characteristics as adults and adolescents. Research on the general population is the only source of information on many significant issues regarding depression in young people. Teens suffering from mental illnesses are a vulnerable population that requires more care. It takes equilibrium between feelings, ideas, and behavior to maintain mental health. An important source of morbidity and death in children and adolescents is depression disorders, which are frequent and repeated illnesses. Adult psychopathology has been linked to early trauma in the form of physical or sexual abuse experienced as a kid. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed as the initial treatment for depression in children and adolescents. Fluoxetine offers the strongest safety and effectiveness data when compared to other antidepressants, especially when used in teenagers who are 12 years of age or older. Adolescents' self-reports of attachment anxiety and avoidance can be effectively addressed through Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A). This therapy appears particularly beneficial for those exhibiting high levels of avoidant attachment. The study highlights that attachment anxiety and avoidance are modifiable during adolescence and can be viable treatment targets. IPT-A has proven effective in treating attachment-related issues, with reductions in attachment anxiety and avoidance correlating with decreases in depressive symptoms. This supports the use of IPT-A for depressed adolescents struggling with attachment security, especially those with an avoidant attachment style who tend to shy away from intimacy. Keywords Depression, Adolescents, Youngsters, Child maltreatment, Suicide, Abuse, Fluoxetine

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Vulnerability to Mood and Anxiety Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on mental health. Identification of individuals at higher or lower risk of mental health problems may assist with targeting prevention, support and treatment efforts during future pandemics. Using a Canadian national mental health survey that collected data during the pandemic period (March 2022–December 2022), this study examined the vulnerability of participants reporting abuse during their childhood by examining the annual prevalence of mood, anxiety and substance use disorders. Psychiatric disorders were identified using a version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Because childhood adversities are well-known risk factors for mental disorders, the analysis focused on interactions between childhood adversities and pandemic-related stressors by estimating the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). RERIs provide evidence of synergy based on the occurrence of greater than additive interactions. Physical and sexual abuse interacted synergistically with pandemic-related stressors in predicting mood and anxiety disorders. No synergies were found for substance use disorders. Childhood adversities increase vulnerability to later stressors and may be useful for the identification of individuals more likely to have mental health needs during this type of public health emergency.

Where do we Draw the Line? Perceptions of Abuse of Older Adults and their Association with Ageism.

Violence against older adults is a prevalent global harm and there is evidence that perceptions of violence toward older adults may impact reporting and intervention. The present study examines the perception of violence against older adults in contrast to violence against other age groups and investigates the role of ageism in those perceptions. 290 participants were surveyed and asked to indicate whether they perceived 15 abusive behaviours reflecting physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse and neglect to be abuse toward either an older adult (age 60+), adult or child. Ageism was measured using the Ambivalent Ageism Scale. On average, 25% of participants did not consider the abusive behaviours to be abuse. Perceptions of abuse were relatively stable across the five types of abuse examined (range: 25-27%). Perceptions of the 15 abusive behaviours only varied due to older age in three instances, differences were sometimes between older adults and adults and sometimes children. Regression analyses showed increased ageism to be predictive of disagreement that behaviours were abusive in the older age group, explaining 8-14% of the variance in perception. Regression models were not significant in the adult or child groups. Results raise serious concern about the perception of abuse toward older adults. Future studies should investigate the reasons for such perceptions and other contributing factors in order to identify effective mechanisms for change.

Adverse Childhood Experiences are associated with Mental Health Problems later in life: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Evidence suggested a link between early adversity and mental health problems. However, it is unclear how much adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to mental health problems because researchers have produced inconsistent findings. Therefore, the objective of this umbrella review was to combine the contradictory data regarding the effect of ACEs on the development of mental health problems later in life in the global context. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Google Scholar which reported the effect of ACEs on the development of mental health problems were searched. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). A weighted inverse variance random-effects model was applied to find the pooled estimates. The subgroup analysis, heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were also assessed. Forty-three SRM with 14707614 study participants were included. The pooled effect of ACEs on the development of mental health problems later in life in the global context is found to be (AOR=1.66 (1.46, 1.87)). Subgroup analysis based on country revealed (AOR=1.67(1.23, 2.11)) in UK, (AOR=0.61(0.41, 0.81)) in Canada, (AOR=1.55(1.40, 1.69)) in Brazil, (AOR=5.65(4.12, 7.18)) in Ethiopia, (AOR=1.92(1.45, 2.38)) in USA, (AOR=2.30(1.89, 2.72)) in Australia and (AOR=1.66(1.46, 1.87)) in irland. While subgroup analysis based on types of adverse childhood adverse experience: domestic violence ((AOR=4.13(1.96, 6.30)), maltreatment (AOR=1.5(0.79, 2.21)), physical abuse(AOR=1.56(1.43,1.63), sexual abuse (AOR=2.07(1.63, 2.51)), child abuse (AOR=5.66(4.12,7.18)), parental mental health problem (AOR=1.73(1.39,2.08)), bullying (AOR=1.99(1.69, 2.29), neglect(AOR=2.11(1.53,2.69)), and parental divorce (AOR=1.66(1.46,1.87)). Based on the type of mental health problem the pooled effect size is 1.87(1.45, 2.30) for depression and 1.67(1.22, 2.13) for anxiety. This umbrella review revealed that adverse childhood experience is significantly associated (with 66% increased risk) with anxiety and depression later in life in a global context. This association is most noticeable when one is subjected to domestic violence, maltreatment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse, parental mental health problems, bullying, neglect, and parental divorce. Childhood periods are a critical window of opportunity for reducing the risk of developing mental illness in the future and for implementing intervention measures. Preventing childhood maltreatment and addressing psychiatric risk factors can prevent psychopathology. Longitudinal studies are needed to optimize healthcare responses to ACEs. Increased awareness and public health interventions are needed to prevent childhood adversity and prevent mental problems among these victims. To optimize healthcare responses to unfavorable outcomes of childhood adversities, longitudinal and intervention research findings, more public health initiatives, and awareness are required.

Associations Between Interpersonal Trauma and Intolerance of Uncertainty in an International Multi-Site Sample

AbstractPrior psychologically traumatic experiences have been linked to increased risk for mental health conditions. However, there remain questions about the relationship between prior interpersonal trauma, particularly that of neglect and abuse, and transdiagnostic dimensions such as intolerance of uncertainty (IU: the tendency to find uncertainty aversive). To address this gap, we conducted a secondary analysis of survey data from an international multi-site sample (n = 2510). Questionnaires included: Interpersonal trauma by type (e.g. emotional neglect, physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse) and IU. The findings revealed that: (1) experiencing different forms of interpersonal trauma was associated with higher IU, and (2) experiencing multiple forms of neglect and abuse was associated with higher IU. When comparing across the interpersonal trauma types and IU, emotional neglect compared to the other types of abuse, was specifically related to higher IU. These effects remained when controlling for broader negative beliefs about the self and others. However, the observed relationships and overall amount of variance explained by IU was rather small. Overall, these findings demonstrate that interpersonal trauma, particularly emotional neglect, is associated with IU. Future longitudinal research is required to examine if, how, and when after adversity, higher IU may emerge.

Childhood emotional maltreatment predicts social well-being beyond individual well-being: a daily diary study

ABSTRACT Childhood emotional maltreatment can have a profound impact on well-being. However, past research has largely focused on individual well-being, making it noteworthy to examine whether childhood emotional maltreatment predicts social well-being beyond individual well-being. To fill this gap, the current study employed a daily diary approach to investigate the independent effect of childhood emotional maltreatment on social well-being, and examined gratitude’s mediating role in the relationship. A total of 483 participants (Mage = 19.30, SDage = 2.12) completed daily surveys for 14 consecutive days. The results of the multilevel regression analysis indicated that childhood emotional maltreatment negatively and independently predicted social well-being, even after controlling for individual well- being, other forms of maltreatment (i.e. physical and sexual maltreatment), age and gender. Moreover, multilevel mediation analysis elucidated that gratitude served as a mediating factor in this association. In summary, these findings underscore the adverse effects of emotional maltreatment on social well-being and suggest gratitude as a possible intervention focus.

Familial and Individual Risk Factors, Sexual Assault, and Mental Health: A Comparison of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White College Students.

Though sexual assault is prevalent among college campuses, there is a paucity of research on whether risk factors vary for different racial/ethnic groups. As such, this article examines familial and individual risk factors and three sexual assault types (coercive, physically forced, and incapacitated) with depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to see whether such risks vary for Black/African American, White, Asian, and Hispanic groups of college students. Data were gathered in 2019 to 2020 from 783 undergraduate college women and men at a large public university in the Midwestern United States. Results revealed that in terms of family background, Black/African American, Asian, and Hispanic students reported more experiences of child physical abuse and lower levels of warmth and support compared to White students. White college students, however, reported more frequent heavy drinking compared to Asian and Hispanic students. For sexual assault, Asian students reporting experiencing incapacitated sexual assault more so than White students, whereas Black/African American students reported experiences of physically forced sexual assault more so than White students. For mental health, Hispanic students reported more PTSD symptoms compared to White students while Asian students reported more depressive symptoms compared to their White counterparts. It is noteworthy that early experiences of child physical abuse and lower warmth and support continued to significantly impact both PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms. Our results demonstrate the importance of going beyond the typical dichotomy of White and non-White to gain a more nuanced understanding of how risk factors vary for different racial and ethnic groups, which has implications for intervention and prevention when understanding sexual assault and mental health outcomes.

A dream of lies: stories of Bangladeshi maid migrants in the Middle East

ABSTRACT Being a socially conservative country, a number of Bangladeshi female migrant workers working in abroad are not as many as the male. However, in recent times, the number increased a lot, but still female migrant workers are very much under-researched and a minor in getting policy attention. This present study thus tries to fill that gap and to identify the influencing factors of female maid migration, their life as migrants and the reintegration processes of these migrant returnees. This is a qualitative study where interviews were conducted 20 female who worked in middle east as the housemaid and who were registered as migrant returnees at different government and non-government organizations. A thematic analytical procedure was used to analyse the data. The study finds that female workers migrate to Middle East mostly for economic purposes to overcome their economic challenges in home country; however, they face a number of violences such as physical abuse, socio-psychological torture which put their dream in challenge. The result of the study also shows that as the returnees, these female workers faced reintegration challenges too. To make their dream come true, with many other policies, government should introduce functional monitoring cells in the respective countries.

Early life adversity blunts the subjective and physiological relaxation response in healthy adults

While Early Live Adversity (ELA) is a known risk factor for mental and physical diseases, the investigation into the mechanisms behind this connection is ongoing. In the present study, we investigated whether ELA blunts the relaxation response in healthy adults. Using a within-subjects design, we employed a paced breathing exercise (four seconds inhale, six seconds exhale) and a 360° nature video as relaxation interventions while measuring physiological relaxation using heart rate variability and subjective relaxation using the Relaxation State Questionnaire. A total of 103 participants (63.11% female; agemean = 22.73 ± 3.43 years) completed the Parental Bonding Instrument and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to assess ELA retrospectively. For subjective relaxation, a blunted relaxation reaction was associated with lower scores of paternal care and higher scores of paternal overprotection, physical abuse, physical neglect, and emotional abuse. For heart rate variability emotional abuse in interaction with nicotine consumption was related to a blunted relaxation response. This indicates that experiencing ELA negatively affects the relaxation capability in a healthy sample and emphasizes the importance of assessing relaxation at a physiological and subjective level.

Rumination as a Moderator of the Relation between Childhood Adversity Exposure and College Students’ Psychological Distress

American college students (N = 598) completed self-report questionnaires assessing rumination, psychological distress while attending college (general distress, anhedonic depression, anxious arousal), and exposure to specific types of childhood adversity (i.e., emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect). Latent Moderated Structural Equation Modeling indicated that 1) rumination was associated with all three indicators of psychological distress and 2) rumination moderated associations between childhood adversity exposure and college students’ reports of general distress and anxious arousal such that associations were strongest at higher levels of rumination and weaker at lower levels of rumination. Implications regarding higher education professionals’ efforts to support college student well-being are discussed.

Stigma trajectories, disclosure, access to care, and peer-based supports among African, Caribbean, and Black im/migrant women living with HIV in Canada: findings from a cohort of women living with HIV in Metro Vancouver, Canada

BackgroundAfrican, Caribbean, and Black im/migrant women experience a disproportionate burden of HIV relative to people born in Canada, yet there is scarce empirical evidence about the social and structural barriers that influence access to HIV care. The objectives of this study is to estimate associations between African, Caribbean, and Black background and stigma and non-consensual HIV disclosure outcomes, and to understand how experiences of stigma and im/migration trajectories shape access to HIV care and peer supports among African, Caribbean, and Black im/migrant women living with HIV in Canada.MethodsThis mixed-methods analysis draws on interviewer-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with self-identifying African, Caribbean, and Black women living with HIV in the community-based SHAWNA (Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS: Women’s Longitudinal Needs Assessment) cohort. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression using generalized estimating equations (GEE) were performed to estimate associations between African, Caribbean, and Black background and stigma and non-consensual HIV disclosure outcomes. Drawing on a social and structural determinants of health framework, qualitative analysis of interviews elucidated the interplay between migration trajectories, stigma, racialization, and HIV.ResultsAmongst our participants (n = 291), multivariable GEE analysis revealed that African, Caribbean, and Black participants (n = 15) had significantly higher odds of recently being outed without consent as living with HIV (AOR 2.34, 95% CI 0.98–5.57). Additionally, African, Caribbean, and Black participants had higher odds of recent verbal or physical abuse due to their HIV status (AOR 2.11, 95% CI 0.65–6.91). Reflecting on their im/migration trajectories, participants’ narratives (n = 9) highlighted experiences of political violence and conflict, trauma, stigma, and discrimination associated with HIV in their place of origin and the racialization and stigmatization of HIV in Canada. Fear of disclosure without consent was linked to barriers of accessing care and peer-based supports.ConclusionOur findings indicate that im/migration trajectories of African, Caribbean, and Black women living with HIV are critically related to accessing HIV care and supports in Canada and compound HIV stigma and discrimination. HIV disclosure without consent complicates access to care and social/peer support, underscoring the need for privacy, confidentiality, and the importance of building trust in the context of clinical encounters. The results of this study emphasize the critical need for culturally sensitive trauma-informed care models rooted in peer-based approaches.

Abstract 4141457: Forms of Childhood Maltreatment and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Black men and women

Background: Exposure to specific forms of childhood maltreatment have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CVD events in adulthood. Heterogenous experiences of childhood maltreatment across race and sex exist, yet there is little evidence regarding these relationships and CVD risk in Black populations. Aims: To investigate the association between various forms of childhood maltreatment (emotional, general, physical, and sexual abuse) and surrogate markers of vascular dysfunction and test whether sex modify these associations. Methods: Forms of childhood maltreatment and indices of vascular function were assessed in a cohort of healthy Black adults without known CVD (n=404) from a large metropolitan southeastern city. Childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Early Trauma Inventory short form (ETISR-SF) consisting of physical, sexual, emotional, and general domains. A trauma severity index score was calculated by summing the indexes for each of the four domains. Higher scores are indicative of higher traumatic life events before age 18 years. Outcomes of central augmentation index (cAIx) corrected for a heart rate of 75 bpm and carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (CfPWV) were measured as indices of wave reflections and arterial stiffness using applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor Inc.), and central pulse pressure (CPP) was calculated as the difference between the aortic systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Associations between each domain and outcomes were assessed using multivariate-adjusted and sex-stratified linear regression models. Results: Mean age of the cohort was 53 + 10.3 years, 61% women. Exposure to emotional [ b = -1.5%, 95%CI: -2.7,-0.3] and physical abuse [ b = -1.3%, 95%CI: -2.5,-0.2] was associated with cAIx overall but not CPP or CfPWV after adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical factors, health behaviors, and depressive symptoms. Significant emotional abuseXsex ( P= 0.014) and physical abuseXsex ( P=&lt; 0.001) interactions were identified for cAIx. Among women, physical abuse was associated with higher cAIx [ b =1.5%, 95%CI: 0.6, 2.4] and among men emotional [ b =-1.6%, 95%CI: -3.2, -0.0] and physical [ b =-1.7%, 95%CI: -3.1, -0.3] abuse was associated with lower cAIx. Conclusions: Exposure to emotional and physical abuse as children was associated with vascular dysfunction; moreover, exposure to physical abuse among women and not men have adverse clinical implications for CVD risk and prospects for enhanced preventive care.

Relationship between maltreatment and mental health in adolescents: A school-based study in Indonesia.

Maltreatment affects emotional development in adolescents and inhibits social adjustment. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between maltreatment and mental health among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on adolescents in the first and second grades of middle school (12-14 years old) and high school (15-17 years old) in eight cities and municipalities in the province, selected through several stages of simple random sampling (N = 1837). The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Child Abuse Screening Tool for Children (ICAST-C) questionnaire for detecting maltreatment was translated, simplified, and validated by an expert based on a theoretical framework that involved pediatricians, public health, and medicolegal perspectives. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess emotional states. ICAST-C and SDQ scores were transformed to logit values using Rasch model analysis. Distribution frequency and linear regression were used for data analysis. The results indicated that 85.6% of adolescents aged 12-14 and 83% of those aged 15-17 experienced physical maltreatment, while 89.4% of the 12-14 age group and 82.9% of the 15-17 age group experienced psychological maltreatment. The emotional states of the two groups were 52.8% and 59.2%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the experience of physical maltreatment and emotions among 12-14 (r1 = 0.148 (0.190-0.257)) and 15-17 years old (r1 = 0.047 (0.084-0.156)). There was a significant correlation between the experience of psychological maltreatment and emotions among 12-14 years old '(r2 = 0.191 (0.270-0.350)) and 15 to 17 years old (r2 = 0.097 (0.167-0.252)). In conclusion, physical and psychological maltreatment were correlated with mental health states among adolescent students in West Java, Indonesia.

The Role of Formal Schooling, Literacy, and Health Knowledge in Addressing Domestic Violence Against Women in West Africa.

When "education" is cited as a solution for domestic violence, different aspects of knowledge acquisition are often omitted. This study uses 2019 Demographic and Health Surveys from four West African countries (The Gambia, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone) with a combined sample size of 12,480 women and generalized ordered logit regression to examine the effects of types of knowledge (years of schooling, literacy, and health knowledge) on domestic violence (physical abuse, emotional abuse, and control issues). The results suggest that literacy has the most reliable beneficial impact on domestic violence and was consistently associated with decreased odds of abuse. However, greater findings suggest that schooling, literacy, and health knowledge function as separate types of education and that their relationships are complex and context-specific. By neglecting to see these types of knowledge as separate entities that can operate together, it is possible that mitigation strategies for domestic violence are going undiscovered.