Self-reported Childhood Maltreatment Research Articles

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment and Mental Health in Substance Use Disorders: A 6-Year Retrospective Analysis

Objective This longitudinal cohort study aims to investigate the relationship between self-reported childhood maltreatment (CM) and the retrospective trajectory of substance use, mental health, and satisfaction with life in individuals with substance use disorders. Methods One hundred eleven treatment-seeking individuals with substance use disorder were recruited from clinical settings and monitored prospectively for 6 years. The participants’ substance use, mental health, and satisfaction with life were assessed using standardized measures. Cluster analysis divided the cohort into two groups—low CM and high CM—based on their scores on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form at year 6. Mixed-effects linear models were fitted to assess the association between longitudinal scores on drug use, mental health, and satisfaction with life and CM group. Results Most participants (92%) reported at least 1 CM. Out of all participants, 36% were categorized into the high-CM group, while 59% were categorized into the low-CM group. CM group was not associated with the amount of substance or alcohol use. CM group was significantly associated with the longitudinal course of mental health and life satisfaction. Conclusions This study underscores the association between self-reported CM and mental health and life satisfaction in patients with substance use disorder. Our results may imply an increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with high levels of CM, while bearing in mind that both current and retrospective mental health and substance use problems can influence the accuracy of recalling CM.

Admissions for psychosis following agency-notified child maltreatment at 40-year-follow-up: Results from the Childhood Adversity and Lifetime Morbidity (CALM) cohort

There is substantial evidence of an association between self-reported child maltreatment (CM) and subsequent psychosis in retrospective data. Such findings may be affected by recall bias. Prospective studies of notifications to statutory agencies address recall bias but are less common and subject to attrition bias. These studies may therefore be underpowered to detect significant associations for some CM types such as sexual abuse. This study therefore linked administrative health data to a large birth cohort that included notifications to child protection agencies. We assessed psychiatric outcomes of CM as measured by inpatient admissions for non-affective psychoses (ICD10 codes F20-F29) to both public and private hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Follow-up was up to 40 years old. There were 6087 cohort participants whose data could be linked to the administrative health data. Of these, 10.1 % had been the subject of a CM notification. Seventy-two participants (1.2 %) had been admitted for non-affective psychosis by 40-year follow-up. On adjusted analysis, all notified and substantiated types of CM were associated with admissions for non-affective psychosis. This included neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, as well as notifications for multiple CM types. For instance, there was a 2.72-fold increase in admissions following any agency notification (95 % CI = 1.53–4.85). All maltreatment types therefore show a significant association with subsequent admissions for psychosis up to the age of 40. Screening for CM in individuals who present with psychosis is, therefore, indicated, as well as greater awareness that survivors of CM may be at higher risk of developing psychotic symptoms.

Adult self-reported childhood maltreatment types are associated with treatment satisfaction and alcohol relapse in patients with comorbid substance use and mental health disorders.

Individuals with comorbid substance use and mental health disorders (concurrent disorders; CD) report poor treatment outcomes, high prevalence of childhood maltreatment, and mostly negative experiences with treatment. No studies to date have examined childhood maltreatment and treatment outcomes in CD. This study investigated self-reported childhood maltreatment as it relates to treatment satisfaction and substance use relapse among CD patients. The 258 CD inpatients completed a self-report questionnaire package, comprising the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Inpatient Consumer Survey (ICS). Childhood maltreatment was assessed according to five subtypes and self-perceived treatment satisfaction was rated across six ICS domains. Psychiatric diagnoses, substance use status and relapse data were retrieved via patient medical charts. Emotional neglect was associated with lower ratings across all ICS domains and physical neglect was associated with a lower rating for 'outcome of care'. Childhood sexual abuse was associated with a greater likelihood of alcohol relapse. No other relationships were statistically significant. The presence of childhood neglect (but not abuse) was more associated with overall treatment dissatisfaction, and sexual abuse alone increased the likelihood of alcohol relapse. These findings suggest some early adverse experiences in CD patients may increase negative experiences in treatment while others contribute to the risk of substance use. Broader longitudinal research is needed to examine the trajectory leading to negative outcomes. This is the first study to report differential patterns of association by type of childhood maltreatment on negative outcomes in treatment among CD patients.

Childhood maltreatment and mental health problems in a 10-year follow-up study of adolescents in youth residential care: A latent transition analysis.

Childhood maltreatment and mental health problems are common among young people placed out-of-home. However, evidence on the impact of maltreatment on the course of mental health problems in at-risk populations is sparse. The aim of this longitudinal study is twofold: (a) describe the course of mental health problems and the shift in symptom patterns among adolescents in youth residential care into young adulthood and (b) assess how childhood maltreatment is related to the course of mental health problems. One hundred and sixty-six adolescents in Swiss youth residential care were followed up into young adulthood (36.1% women; MAge-Baseline = 16.1 years; MAge-Follow-Up = 26.4 years). Latent transition analysis was employed to analyze transitions of symptom patterns and their association with maltreatment exposure. We found three latent classes of mental health problems: a "multiproblem"-class (51.8% baseline; 33.7% follow-up), a "low symptom"-class (39.2% baseline; 60.2% follow-up), and an "externalizing"-class (9.0% baseline; 6.0% follow-up). Individuals in the "multiproblem"-class were likely to transition towards less-complex symptom patterns. Higher severity of self-reported childhood maltreatment was associated with more complex and persistent mental health problems. Our study underlines the need for collaboration between residential and psychiatric care systems within and after care placements, with a specialized focus on trauma-informed interventions and care.

Individual and Community level Developmental Adversities: Associations with Marijuana and Alcohol Use in Late-Adolescents and Young Adults.

Exposure to community and individual level stressors during adolescence has been reported to be associated with increased substance use. However, it remains unclear what the relative contribution of different community- and individual-level factors play when alcohol and marijuana use become more prevalent during late adolescence. The present study uses a large longitudinal sample of adolescents (Wave 1: N = 2017; 55% Female; 54.5% White, 22.3% Black, 8% Hispanic, 15% other) to evaluate the association and potential interactions between community- and individual-level factors and substance use from adolescence to young adulthood (Wave 1 to Wave 3 Age Mean [SD]: 16.7 [1.1], 18.3 [1.2], 19.3 [1.2]). Across three waves of data, multilevel modeling (MLM) is used to evaluate the association between community affluence and disadvantage, individual household socioeconomic status (SES, measured as parental level of education and self-reported public assistance) and self-reported childhood maltreatment with self-reported 12-month alcohol and 12-month marijuana use occasions. Sample-selection weights and attrition-adjusted weights are accounted for in the models to evaluate the robustness of the estimated effects. Across the MLMs, there is a significant positive association between community affluence and parental education with self-reported alcohol use but not self-reported marijuana use. In post hoc analyses, higher neighborhood affluence in older adolescents is associated with higher alcohol use and lower use in younger adolescents; the opposite association is found for neighborhood disadvantage. Consistent with past literature, there is a significant positive association between self-reported childhood maltreatment and self-reported 12-month alcohol and 12-month marijuana use. Results are largely consistent across weighted and unweighted analyses, however, in weighted analyses there is a significant negative association between community disadvantage and self-reported 12-month alcohol use. This study demonstrates a nuanced relationship between community- and individual-level factors and substance use during the transitional window of adolescence which should be considered when contextualizing and interpreting normative substance use during adolescence.

Who are the skilled therapists? Associations between personal characteristics and interpersonal skills of future psychotherapists

ABSTRACT Objective Facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) are a promising variable to explain the so-called therapist effect. We aimed to investigate associations between observer-rated interpersonal skills and self-reported personal characteristics of future therapists. Method In this cross-sectional observational study, psychology students and trainee therapists completed self-report personality and sociodemographic questionnaires as well as the FIS Performance Task (German version, observer-rated). Mixed multilevel model analysis was conducted with FIS total mean score (mean value of 312 individual ratings [13 video-clips, 8 FIS-items, 3 raters]) as dependent variable, therapist ID and FIS clip ID as random effects and 15 therapist variables as fixed effects. Results In the present sample consisting of 177 participants (age: M = 29.8 years (SD = 7.3), [18,59]; 79.1% female, 20.9% male) greater therapists’ experience level, male gender and lower levels of alexithymia were predictive for higher FIS score when statistically controlling for other therapist variables in the model. Age, self-reported childhood maltreatment, attachment style, emotion regulation and self-concept variables turned out to be unrelated. Conclusion The results can inform psychotherapy training programs. They specifically support the importance of addressing therapists’ potential difficulties in recognizing and verbalizing emotions. This is in line with theoretical literature on alliance ruptures and premises of the Alliance-focused training.

Risk factors of self-reported physical child abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: work-related changes in men and fear of COVID-19 in women.

There is no global consensus on whether pandemic-related factors are related to child abuse. How the pandemic reinforces the risk factors of child abuse might depend largely on individuals' current and past lifestyles in each country. Some changes of lifestyles continue after the pandemic, and it is important to understand which factors are strongly associated with child abuse. We analyzed the pandemic-related characteristics of offenders and non-offenders of self-reported child physical abuse from Internet survey data in Japan and discussed how the pandemic affected physical child abuse and what caused the difference by gender. We conducted a cross-sectional study on physical child abuse by caregivers based on the Internet survey conducted from September to October 2021. We divided the participants who were living with their child aged less than 14 years into offenders and non-offenders based on the answer to the question about physical child abuse. The population distribution of the sample was compared to that of caregivers under the same conditions in a large Japanese dataset. The association between their characteristics and physical child abuse was analyzed by univariable and multivariable analysis. The caregivers analyzed in the cohort had similar population distributions to those in the large Japanese dataset. As risk factors of male offenders, "work from home 4-7 days/week," "decreased work," "normal relationships with household members (compared to good relationships)," "COVID-19 infected, both themselves and household members, within a year," "unwillingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination because the license process of the vaccine is doubtful," "high levels of benevolent sexism," and "history of child abuse" were observed. As risk factors of female offenders, "bad relationships with household members (compared to good relationships)," "fear of COVID-19," "COVID-19 infected, both themselves and household members, within a year," "feelings of discrimination related to COVID-19 in the past two months," and "history of child verbal abuse" were observed. Among male offenders, a significant relationship was observed regarding work-related changes, which may have been reinforced by the pandemic. Furthermore, the extent of the influence and fear of losing jobs caused by these changes may have varied according to the strength of gender roles and financial support in each country. Among female offenders, a significant relationship was observed regarding fear of infection itself, which is consistent with the findings of other studies. In terms of factors related to dissatisfaction with families, in some countries with prominent stereotyped gender roles, men are thought to experience difficulties adapting to work-related changes induced by crises, while women are thought to experience intense fear of the infection itself.

Comparison of Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment Between East and West Germany

The socioecological model emphasize the relevance of political, cultural and economic socialization effects for the prevalence of childhood maltreatment, which are analyzed by comparing child maltreatment between East and West German subjects who came of age before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Using an online survey, a representative general population sample with respect to age, gender distribution and income was assessed regarding child maltreatment and current psychological distress using standardized self-report instruments. Of 507 study participants, 22,5% reported being born and socialized in East Germany. They reported significantly less emotional abuse than the 77,5% who grew up in the FRG. The East and West German subjects did not differ in any other form of abuse. Our findings underline the importance of socialization and enculturation effects on memory, which should be considered when interpreting the results.

Unintentional Injuries Are Associated with Self-Reported Child Maltreatment among Swedish Adolescents

Injuries constitute a large share of childhood morbidity and mortality. This study examines whether adolescents with self-reported experiences of different types of child maltreatment more frequently reported unintentional injury events requiring health- or dental care during the last year and/or hospitalization at any time during childhood. Cross-sectional data from a Swedish national representative school survey (2016) including 4741 adolescents were used (78.5% response rate). Data were analyzed with univariate tests and multiple logistic regression. Statistically significant associations between reported experiences of physical, psychological and sexual abuse, neglect, and witnessing partner violence during childhood and reported unintentional injuries requiring health- or dental care during the last year were found (aOR:s between 1.39-1.77). The corresponding association for poly-victimization was aOR 1.91 (95% CI 1.39-2.62). Furthermore, a linear-by-linear association was seen for degree of victimization and number of episodes of unintentional injuries that required care in the last year (p = 0.000), as well as lifetime hospitalizations (p = 0.000). This study shows significant associations between child maltreatment and unintentional injuries requiring health- and/or dental care and hospitalization. To improve both injury and child maltreatment prevention, healthcare professionals need to pay particular attention to children and adolescents who repeatedly seek healthcare services due to injurious events.

A longitudinal mediation study of peer victimization and resting-state functional connectivity as predictors of development of adolescent psychopathology.

Peer victimization (PV) is associated with alterations in neural responses in regions subserving emotional regulatory processes and with increased risk of psychopathology during adolescence. The present study examined the longitudinal mediating effects of resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between adolescent PV and subsequent internalizing (depression and anxiety), and externalizing (conduct and hyperactivity/inattention) symptoms. 151 adolescents (baseline mean age 12-14; 54% males) were assessed and imaged three times during a five-year period. We focused on rsFC of a priori determined Regions-of-Interest (ROIs) guided by the literature (i.e., amygdala, anterior and posterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex). Multilevel mediation (MLM) analyses simultaneously examined the between-person, concurrent within-person, and lagged within-person associations between PV and internalizing/externalizing symptoms through changes in couplings of the amygdala with the other four ROIs. All models controlled for the effects of self-reported childhood maltreatment and sex differences. An increased rsFC of the amygdala-posterior insula significantly mediated the lagged within-person association of PV and internalizing symptoms (β = 0.144; 95% CI [0.018, 0.332]). This effect was significant regardless of childhood maltreatment, concurrent externalizing symptoms, and sex differences. The rsFC did not mediate the relationship between PV and externalizing symptoms. Results of this study suggest that adolescent PV may lead to long-lasting maladaptive neural communication between emotional response and sensory perception of pain (i.e., bottom-up emotion regulation) and that these neural responses may serve as unique markers for increased internalizing symptoms that appear in later adolescence in peer-victimized youth. These findings have implications for interventions targeting internalizing symptoms in victimized adolescents.

A 40-year study of child maltreatment over the early life course predicting psychiatric morbidity, using linked birth cohort and administrative health data: protocol for the Childhood Adversity and Lifetime Morbidity (CALM) study.

Child maltreatment is a major public health issue worldwide. Retrospective studies show a strong association between self-reported child maltreatment and poor mental and physical health problems. Prospective studies that use reports to statutory agencies are less common, and comparisons of self- and agency-reported abuse in the same cohort even rarer. This project will link state-wide administrative health data with prospective birth cohort data (N = 7223) from Brisbane in Queensland, Australia (including notifications to child protection agencies), to compare psychiatric outcomes in adulthood of agency- and self-reported child maltreatment while minimising attrition bias. We will compare people with all forms of self- and agency-reported child maltreatment to the rest of the cohort, adjusting for confounding in logistic, Cox or multiple regression models based on whether outcomes are categorical or continuous. Outcomes will be hospital admissions, emergency department presentations or community/out-patient contacts for ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses, suicidal ideation and self-harm as recorded in the relevant administrative databases. This study will track the life course outcomes of adults after having experienced child maltreatment, and so provide an evidence-based understanding of the long-term health and behavioural consequences of child maltreatment. It will also consider health outcomes that are particularly relevant for adolescents and young adults, especially in relation to prospective notifications to statutory agencies. Additionally, it will identify the overlap and differences in outcome for two different sources of child maltreatment identification in the same cohort.

The Impact of Increased Minimum Wage on Child Neglect Varies by Developmental Age of Child.

Children in poverty are at significantly greater risk of experiencing child maltreatment. Family economic security policies, such as minimum wage laws, offer a promising prevention strategy to support low-income families. This study utilized data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal birth cohort study, to examine the effect of changes in state-specific minimum wage laws on maternal self-reported child maltreatment and material hardship as it varies by developmental age of the child. A series of fixed effects models with an interaction between the minimum wage and the age of the focal child were used to estimate if there was variation by developmental period of the impact of minimum wage laws on the following outcome variables: all domains of child maltreatment, maternal work-related stress, reported material hardship, aggravation in parenting, and maternal depression. Results revealed significant effects of increased minimum wage on maternal self-reported child neglect and material hardship when children are 3 years of age, and this relationship became non-significant as children aged. No effect was observed by age for other forms of child maltreatment nor any other outcome variables. Study findings suggest minimum wage laws may have differential effects on child neglect depending on the developmental period in which they are received.

Sex- and Regionalspecific Differences in Child Abuse and Violence Before the German Reunification. Results from GESA, a Multi-Cohort Study

Results from a population-based study suggest sex-specific patterns of self-reported child maltreatment, more frequently reported in former West than East Germany. Aim of the current study was to examine these patterns in two regional samples of the former East- (SHIP, 2008 - 2012) and West German (KORA, 2013 - 2014) population. Child maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). Overall, child maltreatment was less often reported in the East German sample, compared to the West German sample. The most prominent differences were identified in self-rated emotional violence (east 6.1%, west 8.7%), physical violence (east 5.7%, west 10.3%) and physical neglect (east 10.0%, west 19.2%). However, we could not find differences in sex-specific patterns between the East and West German samples. Results were discussed within a historical context, since the events took place before the German reunification in two oppose political systems.

Genetic influence on brain volume alterations related to self-reported childhood abuse.

As an important predictor of adulthood psychopathology, self-reported childhood abuse appears heritable and is associated with brain abnormalities. However, the specific genetic mechanisms behind these brain alterations remain largely unknown. This study recruited young adults who reported different degrees of childhood abuse from the community. In order to fully understand the influence of genes on brain changes related to self-reported childhood abuse, various experiments were conducted in this study. Firstly, volume changes of gray matter and white matter related to childhood abuse were investigated by using advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques. After sequencing the whole exons, we further investigated the relationship between polygenic risk score, brain volume alterations, and childhood abuse score. Furthermore, transcription-neuroimaging association analysis was used to identify risk genes whose expressions were associated with brain volume alterations. The gray matter volumes of left caudate and superior parietal lobule, and white matter volumes of left cerebellum and right temporal lobe-basal ganglia region were significantly correlated with the childhood abuse score. More importantly, brain volume changes mediated the influence of polygenic risk on self-reported childhood abuse. Additionally, transcription-neuroimaging association analysis reported 63 risk genes whose expression levels were significantly associated with childhood abuse-related brain volume changes. These genes are involved in multiple biological processes, such as nerve development, synaptic transmission, and cell construction. Combining data from multiple perspectives, our work provides evidence of brain abnormalities associated with childhood abuse, and further indicates that polygene genetic risk and risk gene expression may affect the occurrence of childhood abuse by brain regulation, which provides insights into the molecularpathology and neuromechanism of childhood adversity. Paying attention to the physical and mental health of high-risk children may be a fundamental way to prevent childhood abuse and promote lifelong mental health.

Self-Reported and Agency-Notified Child Abuse as Contributors to Suicidal Behaviour in a Population-Based Birth Cohort Study at 30-Year-Follow-Up.

This was a record-linkage analysis of a birth cohort to examine the association between self-reported self-harm in adulthood and childhood maltreatment (CM) as prospectively notified to authorities and self-reported on the Child Trauma Questionnaire. There were 2507 participants at 30-year follow-up with data on both CM and self-reported self-harm including an intent to die. Of the participants, 304 (12.1%) had self-harmed at some time in their lives while 150 (4.2%) had wanted to die. The prevalence of self- and agency-reported maltreatment was 513 (20.5%) and 143 (5.7%) respectively. On adjusted analyses, CM irrespective of reporting source showed significant associations with both suicidal outcomes. Physical and emotional abuse showed the strongest associations while findings for neglect were mixed. The only association for sexual abuse was for self-reported maltreatment and intent to die but numbers may have been under-powered.

Self-reported and Agency-Notified Child Abuse as a Contributor to Health Anxiety in a Population-Based Birth Cohort Study at 30-Year Follow-up.

Health anxiety is a subtype of the older term hypochondriasis, in which there is worry rather than conviction of having an illness. Information on the association between childhood maltreatment and health anxiety in adulthood often comes from retrospective questionnaires that may be subject to recall bias. There are no prospective data studies using reports to statutory agencies. We therefore assessed the effect on these outcomes at 30-year follow-up using both prospective agency notifications of child abuse and retrospective self-reports in the same birth cohort. At follow-up, there were 2458 adults with data on health anxiety as measured by the Whiteley Index. We also collected details on self-reported abuse with the Child Trauma Questionnaire and linked this to child maltreatment notifications to statutory agencies. The prevalence of self- and agency-reported maltreatment was 600 (24.4%) and 143 (5.8%), respectively. Of the participants, 235 were in the top 10% of Whiteley Index scores. On adjusted analyses, self-reported maltreatment of all types showed significant associations with increased health anxiety, while this was limited to sexual abuse in the case of agency-reported childhood maltreatment (adjusted odds ratio=2.17; 95% confidence interval=1.06-4.46; P=0.034). Effects were strongest in women. Both self- and agency-reported childhood maltreatment showed a significant association with somatic symptoms in adulthood although patterns were different and of varying degrees.

Salivary immune markers are not associated with self-reported childhood maltreatment or psychopathology in adults

BackgroundPsychological stress has repeatedly been found to be associated with pro-inflammatory markers in blood, and neuro-inflammation may play a role in the development of psychopathology after early life stress. Salivary immune testing is a novel method to non-invasively assess immune functioning. We examined a large range of salivary immune markers in relation to self-reported childhood maltreatment and psychopathology in an adult sample. MethodsParticipants (N = 118, 51% female, mean age = 46.6 yrs, range 22–64) were drawn from a cross-sectional three-generation study, and supplied 2 ml of saliva via passive drool. They reported on childhood maltreatment experiences and on psychopathological symptoms in the last 6 months. Hair cortisol was additionally assessed in a subsample (n = 68). Levels of IL1ß, IL6, IL8, IFNγ, TNFα, tIgE, sIgA, FLCƛ, and FLCƙ were assessed. ResultsLinear mixed model analyses showed that several salivary immune markers were associated with age (sIgA and IgE), BMI (sIgA, IL1ß, and IL6), sex (FLCs and IgE), and bad health (IL6, IL8, TNFα). No associations with (anti-inflammatory) medication use or oral health problems were found. Notably, no associations between the immune markers and self-reported childhood maltreatment, psychopathology, or hair cortisol were found. ConclusionsSalivary immune measures were found to be sensitive to individual differences in age, sex, health and BMI. However. in the current sample there was no indication of inflammation in relation to chronic psychological stress. Larger studies, including participants with higher stress levels, are needed to further examine associations between salivary immune markers and psychological stress.

Self-reported child maltreatment and cardiometabolic risk in 30-year-old adults.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with both dietary fat intake and obesity in later life. There is less information on associations with metabolic risk factors and specific types of CM such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect. To assess the association between five types of self-reported CM and a range of obesity and metabolic indicators in a subsample of a birth cohort. This was a study of 1689 adults born in a major metropolitan maternity hospital in Australia and followed up 30 years later. Body mass index, bioimpedance and fasting lipid levels/insulin resistance were measured. Details on self-reported CM were collected using the Child Trauma Questionnaire. We adjusted for birth weight, parental income and relationship at participants' birth, as well as maternal age and alcohol or tobacco use. We also adjusted for participants' smoking, depression, educational level, marital and employment status at follow up. One-fifth reported maltreatment (n=362), most commonly emotional neglect (n=175), followed by emotional abuse (n=128), physical neglect (n=123), sexual (n=121) and physical abuse (n=116). On adjusted analyses, there were significant associations for CM, particularly neglect or emotional abuse, and one or more of the following outcomes: obesity, the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio and HDL levels. Results for other outcomes were more equivocal. Of child maltreatment types, emotional abuse and neglect show the strongest associations with obesity and several cardiometabolic risk factors, therefore highlighting the public health importance of early intervention to reduce childhood adversity.

No Sex Differences in Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment in Major Depressive and Bipolar Disorders: A Retrospective Study.

Background: We investigated, for the first time, whether there are any sex differences in retrospective self-reported childhood maltreatment (CM) in Italian adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD). Furthermore, the potential impacts of patients’ age on the CM self-report were investigated. Methods: This retrospective study used the data documented in the electronic medical records of patients who were hospitalized for a 4-week psychiatric rehabilitation program. CM was assessed using the 28-item Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), which evaluates emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect. The linear and logistic regression models were used (α = 0.01). Results: Three hundred thirty-five patients with MDD (255 women and 80 men) and 168 with BD (97 women and 71 men) were included. In both samples, considerable CM rates were identified, but no statistically significant sex differences were detected in the variety of CTQ-based CM aspects. There was a significant association, with no sex differences, between increasing patients’ age and a decreasing burden of CM. Conclusion: Both women and men with MDD or BD experienced a similar and considerable CM burden. Our findings support routine CM assessment in psychiatric clinical practice.

Interaction effect between childhood abuse and interleukin-1β levels on suicidality in depressed patients.

The roles of childhood abuse and interleukin (IL)-1β levels, a representative pro-inflammatory cytokine, in suicidal behavior are unclear. This study investigated the main and interactive effects of childhood abuse and IL-1β levels on suicidal behavior in patients with a depressive disorder before and after pharmacological treatment. At baseline, exposure to self-reported childhood abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, before the age of 16years, and IL-1β levels, were measured in 1,094 outpatients with a depressive disorder, 884 of whom were followed for 1year. Suicidal behavior was evaluated, including previous suicide attempts (at baseline), suicidal ideation (at baseline and follow-up), and fatal/non-fatal suicide attempts (at follow-up). The main and interaction effects of self-reported childhood abuse and IL-1β level on the four types of suicidal behavior were analyzed using logistic regression after adjusting for covariates. Individual associations of self-reported childhood abuse were significant only with previous suicidal attempt but not with other suicidal behaviors. There was no significant association of plasma IL-1β level with any suicidal behavior. There were significant interactive associations of self-reported childhood abuse and a high IL-1β level on previous suicide attempts, baseline suicidal ideation, and fatal/non-fatal suicidal attempts during follow-up. Suicidal behavior in patients with a depressive disorder could be influenced by considering the interactive effect of childhood abuse and IL-1β levels. Our study suggests that childhood trauma and biochemical factors play roles in the pathology of suicide in depressed patients.