From childhood emotional abuse to adolescent loneliness: The roles of self-compassion and rejection sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Emotional abuse is one of the important risk factors for adolescent loneliness. However, there is a shortage of information regarding protective factors and potential mediating mechanisms between emotional abuse and adolescent loneliness, which require further investigation. OBJECTIVES: The present study explored the chain mediating role of self-compassion and rejection sensitivity on the pathway from childhood emotional abuse to adolescent loneliness, based on attachment theory and a stress process model. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Five hundred sixty-seven Chinese adolescents aged 12 to 17 years participated in this study. METHODS: An online questionnaire was utilized to assess a variety of variables including childhood emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, self-compassion, rejection sensitivity, and loneliness. To increase the validity of the results, physical and sexual abuse were included as covariates since emotional abuse may co-occur with these types of abuse. RESULTS: Emotional abuse in childhood is significantly positively correlated with adolescent loneliness. Emotional abuse in childhood can affect adolescent loneliness not only directly, but also indirectly through self-compassion (including its components of self-warmth and self-coldness) and rejection sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds further light on the chain mediating role of self-compassion and rejection sensitivity in the relationship between emotional abuse in childhood and loneliness in adolescence, suggesting that intervention programs targeting increased self-compassion and decreased rejection sensitivity may be effective to reduce loneliness in adolescents.

Childhood maltreatment and subsequent offending behaviors in Australian women: Exploring the role of borderline personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: Childhood Maltreatment (CM) is linked to adverse outcomes, including Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and increased propensity for offending behaviors. However, research on the specific role that BPD plays between the two is limited and highly relevant given the high prevalence of CM in Australia. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate (1) the relationship between CM and subsequent offending behaviors, (2) whether BPD mediates the relation between CM and offending behaviors, and (3) which type of CM (physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, multitype maltreatment) predicts BPD. PARTICIPANTS: The sample comprised 106 self-identified Australian female survivors of interpersonal violent crimes. METHODS: Participants completed an online survey consisting of the Adverse Childhood Events Questionnaire, the McLean Screening Instrument for BPD, and a self-created questionnaire to measure offending behaviors. Regression, mediation analysis, and logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: CM significantly predicted offending behaviors (path c, B = 1.39, p <. 001) with BPD partially mediating the relationship (path c', B = 1.04, 95 % CI [0.31, 1.77], p = .006; path a, B = 0.47, 95 % CI [0.12, 0.83], p = .009, path b, B = 0.34, 95 % CI [0.07, 0.61], p = .014). Emotional abuse and multitype exposure were identified as predictors of BPD symptom development (OR = 9.42, 95 % CI OR [2.58, 34.40]; OR = 3.81, 95 % CI OR [1.41; 10.28], respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the necessity of early interventions addressing CM, with a particular focus on emotional abuse and exposure to more than one type of maltreatment, to reduce the risk of developing BPD symptomatology and mitigate future offending behaviors.

Understanding experiences of non-physical maltreatment in childhood in Canada: What is the relationship with suicidal ideation and mental health disorders?

Background: Physical and sexual childhood abuse are associated with suicidal ideation and mental health disorders. However, less is known about non-physical types of maltreatment. This study examined associations between non-physical types of child maltreatment (e.g., emotional abuse, interpersonal aggression, exposure to physical intimate partner violence, emotional and physical neglect) and suicidal ideation, and mental health disorders. Data and methods: Data from the 2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces were used to estimate the proportion of individuals 15 years and older in Canada who experienced non-physical maltreatment during childhood. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine associations between five types of non-physical child maltreatment and suicidal ideation, and mental health disorders. Results: Overall, interpersonal aggression was the most common (45.7%), followed by emotional abuse (40.4%) and emotional neglect (20.0%). Individuals who experienced any type of non-physical maltreatment in childhood had a higher probability of lifetime suicidal ideation than those who never experienced the maltreatment examined. Mood disorder diagnoses were more likely among those who experienced emotional abuse, interpersonal aggression, and emotional neglect than among those who never experienced these types of maltreatment. Compared with those who never experienced the maltreatment examined, individuals who experienced emotional abuse, interpersonal aggression, emotional neglect, or physical neglect were more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder were more likely among those who experienced emotional and physical neglect than among those who never experienced these types of maltreatment. Interpretation: Non-physical child maltreatment is associated with suicidal ideation and mental health disorders. The findings highlight the importance of including non-physical types of child maltreatment on population-based surveys to differentiate associations with mental health outcomes to better align interventions and policies.

Childhood Traumas and Personality Traits' Impact on Rhinoplasty Decision.

OBJECTIVE: Aesthetic surgeries are increasingly common procedures today, with rhinoplasty being the most frequently performed. The desire for improved appearance is closely linked to an individual's psychological health. It is known that patients seeking rhinoplasty tend to be more anxious and have experienced more negative childhood experiences. However, the impact of personality traits and adverse childhood experiences on the decision to undergo rhinoplasty remains unclear. METHODS: The study included 256 individuals, consisting of 106 who had undergone rhinoplasty, 46 considering rhinoplasty, and 104 not considering rhinoplasty. All participants completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised Short Form and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. RESULTS: Neuroticism increased the likelihood of undergoing rhinoplasty by 16.3%, and this rate rose to 29.3% if a family member had undergone rhinoplasty. Psychoticism increased the likelihood by 15.4%, and the rate increased to 19.1% if no family member had undergone rhinoplasty. Extraversion increased the likelihood by 24.4%, and this rose to 30.9% if a family member had undergone rhinoplasty. Emotional abuse, mediated by neuroticism, increased the likelihood of undergoing rhinoplasty by 5.4%, and this increased to 17.7% if a family member had undergone rhinoplasty. Physical neglect increased the likelihood by 17.9%, and this rate rose to 22% if no family member had undergone rhinoplasty. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that both personality traits and childhood traumas influence the decision to undergo rhinoplasty. These results will serve as an important guide for future research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors   www.springer.com/00266 .

Examination of Cyberbullying Experiences of Social Media Users.

This study was carried out in a descriptive and cross-sectional design in order to examine the cyberbullying experiences of individuals using social media. This descriptive study was conducted online between June 16, 2022, and August 16, 2022, in Turkey. The data collection process was completed with 471 participants. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Cyberbullying Triangulation Questionnaire. The mean questionnaire score was found to be 7.36 ± 6.99. Cyberbully, cybervictim, and cyberbystander scores of men were found to be higher than those of women. Also, cybervictim, cyberbully, and cyberbystander scores of those who experienced cybervictim or engaged in cyberbully were significantly higher (p < .05). A positive relationship was found between cyberbully and cybervictim (p = .000), between cyberbystander and cybervictim and cyberbully (p < .05), and between the Cyberbullying Triangulation Questionnaire total scores and cybervictim, cyberbully, and cyberbystander (p < .05). Individuals should be given training on risky internet use and the correct use of technology to prevent cyberbullying. Families should also be supported in setting an example, setting rules, applying filtering software, determining online behavior rules, and communicating with the bully or victim child. Individuals should be informed about the steps to follow when exposed to cyberbullying. Although legal sanctions are effective on cyberbullying, it is recommended that a holistic study be planned and carried out according to the people's age group and development level to increase awareness about the phenomenon.

Childhood abuse and risk of migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Childhood abuse is associated with an increased risk of migraines. However, the literature on this association is limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the pooled effect size of the association between childhood abuse and migraines. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: System review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search for studies published until September 20, 2023, was performed using the Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Specifically, original articles reporting the statistical effect size (odds ratio) of the association between childhood abuse and migraines were selected. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models. Publication bias was examined using funnel plots, and sensitivity analysis was used to explore the stability of the pooled results. RESULTS: Twelve studies involving 110,776 participants were included. Individuals with childhood abuse (OR = 1.60, 95 % CI: 1.49, 1.71) were at increased risk of migraine when compared with individuals with no childhood abuse. Of the different types of childhood abuse examined, sexual abuse (OR = 1.71, 95 % CI: 1.43, 2.04), physical abuse (OR = 1.47, 95 % CI: 1.38, 1.56), and emotional abuse (OR = 1.71, 95 % CI: 1.52, 1.93) were associated with an increased risk of migraine. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood abuse increases migraine risk. Multifaceted interventions to curb abuse and related behaviors can effectively reduce migraine risk. However, considering that multiple factors, such as obesity and anxiety, are causatively associated with both childhood abuse and migraines, our findings should be interpreted with caution.

Examining Ethnoracial Differences in Retention in Evidence-Based Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Secondary to Military Sexual Trauma.

Improving and expanding mental health treatment for Veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) are currently a top priority in Veterans Healthcare Administration. Many of these Veterans develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and there is increasing recognition that diversity is a core treatment consideration for Veterans who have experienced trauma. As such, more information is needed concerning the relationship between trauma-focused treatment attrition and ethnoracial identity in Veterans who have experienced MST. This article presents two studies exploring dropout from a Midwestern Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD clinic in samples of Veterans who experienced MST. These studies aim to reduce this knowledge gap by contrasting Black and White Veterans' retention in trauma-focused care. In Study 1 (n = 141), we examined ethnoracial differences in dropout in a cohort of treatment-seeking Veterans who experienced MST and engaged in cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in a VA specialty PTSD clinic. In Study 2 (n = 109), we explored the same questions related to treatment attrition in a separate cohort of treatment-seeking Veterans who experienced MST and engaged in prolonged exposure (PE) in a VA specialty PTSD clinic. Results from both studies did not indicate ethnoracial differences in attrition rate (for both total sessions and an 8-week minimally adequate care [MAC] window) across evidence-based PTSD treatment. However, it remains important to consider the impact of racial and cultural factors on retention. Future research should aim to recruit a larger racially and ethnically diverse sample to explore possible varying retention outcomes of CPT and PE for MST-related PTSD.

Association between childhood abuse and risk of post-COVID-19 conditions: Results from three large prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Significant early life adversities, such as childhood sexual and physical/emotional abuse, are associated with risk of poor health outcomes but are understudied risk factors for post-COVID-19 conditions. In this prospective study, we examined the associations between combined exposure to sexual and physical/emotional abuse during childhood with risk of post-COVID-19 conditions in adulthood. Additionally, we explored the extent to which lifestyle, health-related and psychological factors explain this association. METHODS: We used data from three large, ongoing cohorts: Nurses' Health Study (NHS)-II, NHS3, and the Growing Up Today Study. Between April 2020 and November 2021, participants responded to periodic COVID-19 surveys. Participants were included if they responded to a questionnaire about childhood abuse, subsequently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and responded to questions about post-COVID-19 conditions. Childhood sexual abuse was measured before the COVID-19 pandemic with the Sexual Maltreatment Scale of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale, and physical/emotional abuse was measured with the Physical and Emotional Abuse Subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Post-COVID-19 conditions, defined as COVID-19-related symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer (e.g., fatigue, dyspnea), were self-reported in the final COVID-19 questionnaire in November 2021. Sexual abuse and physical/emotional abuse were examined separately and jointly in relation to post-COVID-19 conditions. Data on key lifestyle (e.g., cigarette smoking), health-related (e.g., asthma, diabetes), and psychological factors (e.g., depression and anxiety) were obtained. RESULTS: Of 2851 participants, the mean age (range) was 55.8 (22.0-75.0) years; 2789 (97.8 %) were females, and 2750 (96.5 %) were whites. We observed a dose-dependent relationship between severity of childhood abuse and post-COVID conditions (p-trend:<0.0001); participants with severe versus no childhood abuse had a 42 % higher subsequent risk of post-COVID conditions [relative risk (95 % confidence interval): 1.42 (1.25 to 1.61)]. Key lifestyle, health-related, and psychological factors mediated 25.5 % of this association. Both sexual and physical/emotional abuse, were independently associated with post-COVID conditions. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study of 2851 participants, childhood abuse was significantly associated with increased risk of post-COVID conditions. Biological pathways connecting childhood abuse with subsequent risk of post-COVID conditions should be investigated.

Association between childhood emotional abuse and non-suicidal self-injury among Guangxi adolescents in China: A moderated mediation model.

BACKGROUND: Childhood Emotional Abuse (CEA) is a known risk factor for Non Suicidal Self-injury (NSSI), which could have devastating repercussions. This study aimed to establish whether Parent-Child Attachment (PCA) and depressive symptoms mediated the CEA-NSSI relationship, as well as whether school connectedness moderated both the direct and indirect relationships between CEA and NSSI. METHODS: Between November and December 2022, 7447 Chinese adolescents in high schools were surveyed through multi-stage cluster random sampling. The participants completed self-reported questionnaires that assessed CEA, PCA, depressive symptoms, school connectedness, and NSSI. Relationships between these variables were examined through moderated mediation analysis using SPSS macro-PROCESS. RESULTS: After controlling for sociodemographic variables, we found that CEA correlated positively with NSSI through two different pathways: the mediating role of depressive symptoms and the chain-mediating role of both PCA and depressive symptoms. Moreover, school connectedness could moderate the direct and indirect relationships between CEA and NSSI. LIMITATIONS: The study's cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inferences. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PCA, depressive symptoms, and school connectedness could affect the CEA-NSSI relationship.

Impact of emotional abuse on eating disorder psychopathology: A multiple mediation analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood maltreatment, particularly emotional abuse (EA), has been identified as a significant risk factor for the development of eating disorders (EDs). This study investigated the association between EA and ED symptoms while considering multiple potential mediators. METHODS: Participants included 151 individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), 115 with Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and 108 healthy controls. The Childhood trauma questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia scale, the Behavioral inhibition System, and the Eating Disorder Inventory 2 scale were completed before treatment. A mediator path model was conducted in each group: EA was set as independent variable, eating symptoms as dependent variables and ineffectiveness, sensitivity to punishment, alexithymia, and impulsivity as mediators. RESULTS: In individuals with AN, impulsivity emerged as a significant mediator between EA and desire for thinness and bulimic behaviors. Conversely, in individuals with BN, sensitivity to punishment was found to mediate the association between EA and dissatisfaction with one's body. Ineffectiveness and difficulty identifying emotions were identified as transdiagnostic mediators in both clinical groups. No mediation effect was found in healthy individuals. DISCUSSION: The simultaneous assessment of multiple mediators in a unique model outlines the complex interplay between childhood EA and ED psychopathology. Improving ineffectiveness, emotion identification, sensitivity to punishment and impulsivity and exploring their relations with early emotional abuse may represent treatment targets in individuals with EDs and childhood trauma.

Athletic identity affects prevalence and disclosure of emotional abuse in Finnish athletes.

The present study offers novel insight into the topic of experienced and observed emotional abuse by researching factors that affect athletes' responses to emotional abuse by coaches. The research aimed to explore three main questions: (1) whether athletic identity was associated with the prevalence of emotionally abusive coaching practices, and (2) disclosure of emotional abuse, and (3) whether demographic variations existed in the frequency of emotional abuse, athletic identity, and disclosure of the abuse. Study participants who filled in an anonymous digital survey consisted of athletes from elite to leisure levels living in Finland (N = 3687, aged 12-80, gender 61% female, 37.7% male, 0.8% other genders). The research findings highlighted three key insights. Firstly, Pearson correlations revealed that a salient athletic identity was related to a higher prevalence of emotional abuse. Secondly, ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis tests between-groups indicated that particularly children were susceptible to the abuse. Thirdly, a mediation analysis showed that self-identity (aspect of athletic identity) influenced the relationship between experienced emotional abuse and disclosure, by reducing disclosure. As a result, holistic identity development is recommended for athletes and particularly children in sports.

From childhood trauma to alcohol use disorder severity - significance of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol.

AIMS: The objective of the current study was to describe and analyse associations between childhood emotional abuse, severity of depressive symptoms, and analgesic expectations of drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). METHODS: A total of 240 individuals aged 43.85 ± 11.0 with severe AUD entering an inpatient, abstinence-based, and drug-free treatment program were assessed. The data on AUD severity, depressive symptoms, expectations towards the analgesic effects of alcohol and childhood emotional trauma was collected using questionnaire measures. The PROCESS SPSS macro for serial mediation with bootstrapping was used to test whether current severity of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol use serially mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity. RESULTS: There was evidence for two simple mediated effects, whereby the severity of depressive symptoms mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity, and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity. There was also evidence to support serial mediation whereby both severity of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: It might be clinically relevant to address experiences of childhood emotional trauma, as well as individual expectations of analgesic effects of alcohol, in AUD treatment programs.

The association between emotional abuse in childhood and healthcare utilization in adulthood among sami and non-sami: the SAMINOR 2 questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Emotional abuse in childhood is the most common type of childhood abuse worldwide and is associated with a variety of somatic and mental health issues. However, globally and in indigenous contexts, research on the associations between emotional abuse in childhood and somatic and mental specialist healthcare utilization in adulthood is sparse. AIM: The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between emotional abuse in childhood and somatic and mental specialist healthcare utilization in adulthood in Sami and non-Sami populations, and to examine whether this association differs between the two ethnic groups. METHOD: This study used cross-sectional data from the SAMINOR 2 Questionnaire Survey - a population-based study on health and living conditions in areas with Sami and non-Sami populations in Middle and Northern Norway. In total, 11 600 individuals participated in SAMINOR 2. Logistic regression was used to present the association between emotional abuse in childhood and somatic and mental specialist healthcare utilization. RESULTS: Emotional abuse in childhood was significantly associated with somatic specialist healthcare utilization in adulthood (fully adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-1.49), with no differences observed between ethnic groups. Emotional abuse in childhood was also associated with mental specialist healthcare utilization (fully adjusted OR 3.99, 95% CI 3.09-5.14), however this association was weaker among Sami (crude OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.37-4.13) compared with non-Sami (crude OR 5.40, 95% Cl 4.07-7.15) participants. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional abuse in childhood is associated with somatic and mental specialist healthcare utilization in adulthood, with a stronger association to mental healthcare utilization. The association between emotional abuse in childhood and mental specialist healthcare utilization was weaker among Sami than non-Sami participants. Future studies should investigate the reason for this ethnic difference. Our results highlight the need to strengthen efforts to prevent childhood abuse and develop strategies to reduce its societal and personal burden.

Childhood emotional abuse and depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents: The sequential masking effect of ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination.

BACKGROUND: This study delves into the relationship between childhood trauma and adolescent depression symptoms, specifically examining the distinct roles of ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination in mediating this connection. The focus is on exploring whether these cognitive processes, namely ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination, operate differently and sequentially in mediating the impact of childhood emotional abuse (CEA) on the development of depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents. METHODS: The study involved gathering data from 489 adolescents, with a relatively balanced gender distribution (44.79 % males and 55.21 % females). The average age of the participants was 16.92 years, with a standard deviation of 0.67. Data collection took place in two Chinese high schools, and participants were tasked with completing assessments related to CEA, ruminative thinking, deliberate rumination, and depression symptoms. The interplay among these variables was then examined using a serial mediation model. RESULTS: The findings of the study indicate that CEA not only exhibited a direct association with adolescent depression symptoms but also exerted indirect effects through distinct mediating mechanisms involving ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination. Specifically, ruminative thinking was identified as a mediator, whereas deliberate rumination emerged as a buffer in the relationship between CEA and depression. Additionally, ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination partially masked the effect of CEA on adolescent depression symptoms in a sequential pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the link from CEA to adolescent depression symptoms, ruminative thinking is an adverse mediator while deliberate rumination appears to play a benign role. Consequently, the promotion of a shift from ruminative thinking to deliberate rumination is proposed as a promising strategy for alleviating the detrimental effects of CEA on adolescent depression.

Adverse childhood experiences as precursors to cannabis use in adulthood: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with a history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are at risk of subsequent cannabis use. However, at present no existing systematic review explores ACEs as they relate to cannabis use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review paper is to examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact rates, patterns, and the nature of cannabis use in adulthood. METHODS: Guided by the PRISMA statement, this systematic review focuses on longitudinal studies that report cannabis use in adulthood. Databases searched include PubMed and Embase. RESULTS: Ultimately, 28 manuscripts were selected for inclusion, ranging in scope from smaller community-focused studies to nationally representative longitudinal surveys; 22 of 28 studies occurred in the United States, with sample size ranging from 303 to 15,960 participants. Instruments used to assess ACEs and cannabis use varied considerably across studies, leading to loss of consistency. Nevertheless, presence of ACEs-childhood sexual abuse in particular-was consistently associated with cannabis use later in life. Frequency and severity of ACEs was found to exert an additive cumulative effect on severity of cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review lays the foundation of the current state of the science regarding ACEs and cannabis use, which can provide further insight into a better understanding of this relationship and provide potential intervention opportunities.

Types of childhood maltreatment as predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder severity and complex posttraumatic stress disorder in patients with substance use disorders.

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) can be divided into: emotional abuse (EA), physical abuse (PA), sexual abuse (SA), emotional neglect (EN), and physical neglect (PN). CM is associated with (Complex)Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD/CPTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD).Objective: This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between CM-subtypes with PTSD-severity and CPTSD in patients with SUD-PTSD.Method: Participants (N = 209) were treatment-seeking SUD-PTSD patients who completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-short form, the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 and the International Trauma Questionnaire. Regression analyses and a model selection procedure to select an optimal model were used to examine CM-subtypes as predictors of (C)PTSD, adjusted for sex and age.Results: Total CM and all CM-types significantly predicted PTSD-severity in the univariate regression analysis, with EA begin the strongest predictor. In the multiple regression only SA predicted PTSD-severity. Subsequently, model selection indicated that the optimal model to predict PTSD-severity included EA and SA. In the univariate analyses total CM, EA, and PN significantly predicted CPTSD-classification, and total CM and all CM-types significantly predicted CPTSD-severity. In the multiple regression for CPTSD-classification only EA and PA were significant predictors and for CPTSD-severity EA, PA and SA were significant predictors. In post-hoc multiple regression analyses, only EA was a significant predictor of CPTSD-classification and CPTSD-severity. Finally, in the model selection the most parsimonious model only included EA for both CPTSD-classification and CPTSD-severity. Sex was not a moderator in the relationship between CM and PTSD, nor in CM and CPTSD.Conclusions: These findings indicate that for SUD-PTSD patients, several CM-types have predictive value for (C)PTSD-severity, however SA and especially EA appear to contribute to these complaints. Since EA does not constitute an A-criterion, it is generally more overlooked in PTSD treatment. Its impact should therefore be underlined, and clinicians should be attentive to EA in their treatment.

All types of Childhood Maltreatment are associated with PTSD severity.Emotional Abuse and Sexual Abuse are most predictive for PTSD severity.Emotional Abuse is most predictive for CPTSD classification and symptom severity.

Aberrant salience mediates the interplay between emotional abuse and positive symptoms in schizophrenia.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood trauma and adversities (CTA) and aberrant salience (AS) have a pivotal role in schizophrenia development, but their interplay with psychotic symptoms remains vague. We explored the mediation performed by AS between CTA and psychotic symptomatology in schizophrenia. METHODS: We approached 241 adults suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs), who have been in the unit for at least 12 consecutive months, excluding the diagnosis of dementia, and recent substance abuse disorder, and cross-sectional evaluated through the Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short-Form (CTQ-SF), and Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS). We tested a path-diagram where AS mediated the relationship between CTA and psychosis, after verifying each measure one-dimensionality through confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: The final sample comprised 222 patients (36.9% female), with a mean age of 42.4 (± 13.3) years and an average antipsychotic dose of 453.6 (± 184.2) mg/day (chlorpromazine equivalents). The mean duration of untreated psychosis was 1.8 (± 2.0) years while the mean onset age was 23.9 (± 8.2) years. Significant paths were found from emotional abuse to ASI total score (ß = 0.39; p < .001) and from ASI total score to PANSS positive (ß = 0.17; p = .019). Finally, a statistically significant indirect association was found from emotional abuse to PANSS positive mediated by ASI total score (ß = 0.06; p = .041; CI 95% [0.01, 0.13]). CONCLUSION: Emotional abuse has an AS-mediated effect on positive psychotic symptomatology. AS evaluation could allow a better characterization of psychosis as well as explain the presence of positive symptoms in adults with SSDs who experienced CTA.

Effect of childhood emotional abuse on depression and anxiety in adulthood is partially mediated by neuroticism: Evidence from a large online sample.

Childhood trauma is widely recognized as a potential risk factor for psychiatric illness in adulthood, yet the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood. One proposed mechanism involves the impact of childhood trauma on personality development, particularly in relation to neuroticism, which may subsequently heighten susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate this hypothesis through an online survey involving 1116 participants (232 male, 21 %). Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), assessing emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect, along with the Trait Self-Description Inventory (TSDI) for personality assessment and the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 clinical questionnaires for depression and anxiety symptoms evaluation, respectively. Our analyses revealed significant positive correlations between all facets of childhood trauma and neuroticism (all p < .01). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that emotional abuse significantly contributed to neuroticism (ß = 0.267, p < .05), openness (ß = 0.142, p < .05), and agreeableness (ß = 0.089, p < .05), while sexual abuse was associated with agreeableness (ß = 0.137, p < .01) Emotional neglect was negatively correlated with conscientiousness (ß = -0.090, p < .01), extroversion (ß = -0.109, p < .01) and agreeableness (ß = -0.154, p < .01). Furthermore, linear regression analysis revealed that emotional abuse was positively and significantly correlated with PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores (r = 0.330, p < .01 and r = 0.327, p < .01, respectively). Mediation analysis supported a significant mediating role of neuroticism in the association between childhood emotional abuse and both depression (PHQ-9) (z = 8.681, p < .01) and anxiety (GAD-7) (z = 9.206, p < .01). Notably, the correlation between childhood emotional abuse and psychiatric symptoms was attenuated but not eliminated after controlling for neuroticism, suggesting partial mediation. While our cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, our findings support the notion that childhood emotional abuse may contribute to increased neuroticism, thereby elevating vulnerability to affective disorders in adulthood. These results underscore the importance of considering personality factors in understanding the long-term consequences of childhood trauma on mental health outcomes.

Neural correlates of stress-reactive rumination in depression - The role of childhood trauma and social anxiety.

Recent work showed an association of prefrontal dysfunctions in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and social stress induced rumination. However, up to date it is unclear which etiological features of MDD might cause prefrontal dysfunctions. In the study at hand, we aimed to replicate recent findings, that showed prefrontal activation alterations during the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and subsequently increased stress-reactive rumination in MDD compared to healthy controls. Moreover, we aimed to explore the role of adverse childhood experiences and other clinical variables in this relationship. N = 55 patients currently suffering from MDD and n = 42 healthy controls (HC) underwent the TSST, while cortical activity in areas of the Cognitive Control Network (CCN) was measured via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The TSST successfully induced a stress reaction (physiologically, as well as indicated by subjective stress ratings) and state rumination in all subjects with moderate to large effect sizes. In comparison to HC, MDD patients showed elevated levels of state rumination with large effect sizes, as well as a typical pattern of reduced cortical oxygenation during stress in the CCN with moderate effect sizes. Self-reported emotional abuse and social anxiety were moderately positively associated with increased stress-reactive rumination. Within the MDD sample, emotional abuse was negatively and social anxiety positively associated with cortical oxygenation within the CCN with moderate to large effect sizes. In conclusion, our results replicate previous findings on MDD-associated prefrontal hypoactivity during stress and extends the research toward specific subtypes of depression.