Self-stigma mediates the relationships between childhood maltreatment and symptom levels of PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Background: Childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for developing multiple forms of psychopathology, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. Yet, the mechanisms linking childhood maltreatment and these psychopathologies remain less clear.Objective: Here we examined whether self-stigma, the internalization of negative stereotypes about one's experiences, mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and symptom severity of depression, PTSD, and anxiety.Methods: Childhood trauma survivors (N = 685, Mage = 36.8) were assessed for childhood maltreatment, self-stigma, and symptoms of depression, PTSD, and anxiety. We used mediation analyses with childhood maltreatment as the independent variable. We then repeated these mediation models separately for childhood abuse and neglect, as well as the different subtypes of childhood maltreatment.Results: Self-stigma significantly mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression, PTSD, and anxiety symptoms. For sexual abuse - but not physical or emotional abuse - a significant mediation effect of self-stigma emerged on all symptom types. For childhood neglect, self-stigma significantly mediated the relationship between both emotional and physical neglect and all symptom types.Conclusion: Our cross-sectional study suggests that different types of childhood maltreatment experiences may relate to distinct mental health problems, potentially linked to increased self-stigma. Self-stigma may serve as an important treatment target for survivors of childhood abuse and neglect.

Childhood maltreatment is linked to depression, PTSD, and anxiety symptoms.Self-stigma, or internalizing negative stereotypes, plays a significant role in mediating this relationship.Different types of maltreatment are linked to varying levels of self-stigma and symptom severity.

Fractura craneal deprimida congénita ("fractura ping-pong") en neonatos como diagnóstico diferencial de maltrato físico / Congenital depressed skull fracture ("ping-pong" fracture) in newborn infants as a differential diagnosis of physical abuse

Las fracturas con hundimiento de cráneo sin una explicación clara sobre su origen orientan al traumatismo con un objeto romo y a la sospecha de maltrato infantil. En el caso de los bebés recién nacidos, su corta edad es un factor de vulnerabilidad y obliga a una exhaustiva evaluación. Ante la sospecha de maltrato infantil, resulta importante evaluar los diagnósticos diferenciales para realizar la intervención más adecuada posible. Es necesario evitar tanto intervenciones excesivas como omitir la intervención que sea necesaria. Las fracturas craneales deprimidas congénitas, descritas como "fracturas pingpong", son raras (0,3 a 2/10 000 partos). Pueden aparecer sin antecedentes traumáticos o en partos instrumentalizados. Se describe en este artículo el caso de un recién nacido con una fractura ping-pong como ejemplo de una fractura no intencional.

Depressed skull fractures without a clear explanation as to their origin point to trauma with a blunt object and suspected child abuse. In the case of newborn infants, their young age is a vulnerability factor and requires an exhaustive assessment. When child abuse is suspected, an assessment of the differential diagnoses is required to make the most appropriate intervention possible. Both an excessive intervention and an omission of a necessary intervention should be avoided. Congenital depressed skull fractures, described as "ping-pong fractures", are rare (0.3 to 2/10 000 births). They may appear without any trauma history or in instrumentalized childbirth. Here we describe the case of a newborn infant with a ping-pong fracture as an example of an accidental fracture.

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.

Childhood maltreatment, genetic risk, and subsequent risk of arrhythmias: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Emerging evidence has linked childhood maltreatment with cardiovascular disease risk; however, the association between childhood maltreatment and cardiac arrhythmias remains unclear. Moreover, any genetic predispositions to atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with an elevated risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality, that modify such associations have been undocumented.Purpose: To examine the associations between childhood maltreatment and incident arrhythmias, and whether a genetic predisposition to arrhythmias modifies these associations.Methods: This prospective analysis included 151,741 participants from the UK Biobank (mean age 55.8 years, 43.4% male). Childhood maltreatment, including five types, was measured using the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). Incident arrhythmias (AF, ventricular arrhythmias [VA], and bradyarrhythmia [BA]) were documented through linked hospital admission and death registry. Weighted AF genetic risk score was calculated. Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to test for associations between childhood maltreatment and incident arrhythmias.Results: During a median follow-up of 12.21 years (interquartile range, 11.49-12.90 years), 6,588 AF, 2,093 BA, and 742 VA events occurred. Compared with the absence of childhood maltreatment, having 3-5 types of childhood maltreatment was associated with an increased risk of incident AF (HR, 1.23; 95%CI 1.09-1.37), VA (HR, 1.39; 95%CI 1.03-1.89), and BA (HR, 1.32; 95%CI 1.09-1.61) after adjusting demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. The associations between cumulative type of childhood maltreatment and the risk of AF (Poverall < .001; Pnonlinear = .674) and BA (Poverall = .007; Pnonlinear = .377) demonstrated a linear pattern. There was a gradient association between childhood maltreatment and AF risks across the intermediate and high genetic risk groups (both Ptrend < .05) but not within the low genetic risk group (Ptrend = .378), irrespective of non-significant interaction effect (Pinteraction = .204).Conclusion: Childhood maltreatment was associated with higher risks of incident arrhythmias, especially AF and BA. Genetic risk of AF did not modify these associations.

Previous studies indicate that childhood maltreatment is associated with cardiovascular disease risk.Childhood maltreatment was associated with an increased risk of incident arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation and bradyarrhythmia. Genetic predisposition to atrial fibrillation did not significantly modify these associations.Childhood maltreatment could be a new psychological risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias in later life. Inquiries into childhood maltreatment and subsequent referral to psychological services may be helpful.

Prevalence of suspected abuse of non-institutionalized older people treated in primary care. PRESENCIA study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of suspected abuse of non-institutionalised elderly people and the associated variables. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study in patients aged 65 years or older, non-institutionalised, consecutively selected in primary care (PC). The EASI questionnaires (Suspected Elderly Abuse Index), the EAI questionnaire (Suspected Abuse Index in patients with cognitive impairment), the Barthel index, and the EUROQOL-5D questionnaire were used with patients, and the CASE questionnaire and the Zarit test were used with caregivers. Socio-demographic, health, and quality of life variables were analysed in all patients. RESULTS: Eight hundred four patients were included, mean age 78.9±7.9 years, 58.3% women. The prevalence of suspected abuse was 11.3% (95% CI: 9.1%-13.9%). Suspected abuse was more frequent in women than in men (14.4% vs. 7.1%; odds ratio (OR)=1.97; 95% CI=1.1-3.4; p=0.016) and in those who lived with two or more people compared to those who lived alone (18.4% vs. 7.3%; OR=2.42; 95% CI=1.1-5.0; p=0.017). Among older patients, the lower their dependency, the lower the prevalence of suspected abuse (30.0% in highly dependent vs. 8.7% in non-dependent: p-trend=0.006); and the better the perceived health status, the lower the prevalence of suspected abuse (29.6% in poor health status vs. 6.9% in optimal health status; p-trend=<0.001). Among caregivers, the prevalence of suspected abuse was 20.4% (95% CI=12.8%-28.0%). A trend of higher prevalence of suspected abuse could be observed with higher scores on the CASE questionnaire (56.3% at high risk and 9.6% with no risk of abuse; p-trend=0.007). In the case of the ZARIT questionnaire with scores below 47, the prevalence of suspected abuse was 9.1%, and for scores above 55, it was 52.6% (p-trend<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the PRESENCIA study show that approximately 1 in 10 patients aged ≥65 meet the criteria for suspected abuse. The probability of abuse increases in women, in patients with greater dependency and in patients with poorer perceived health status. Caregivers with greater overload and greater risk presented a greater suspicion of elder abuse.

Differential constellations of dissociative symptoms and their association with childhood trauma - a latent profile analysis.

Background: While several studies documented a positive correlation between childhood maltreatment severity and dissociation severity, it is currently unknown whether specific dissociative symptoms cluster together among individuals with childhood trauma histories ranging from none to severe.Objective: We aimed to explore symptom constellations across the whole spectrum of dissociative processing from patients with severe dissociative disorders to healthy controls and relate these to maltreatment severity and sociodemographic characteristics.Methods: We employed latent profile analysis to explore symptom profiles based on five subscales, measuring absorption, depersonalization, derealization, somatoform and identity alteration, based on the 20 items of the German short version of the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (Fragebogen zu Dissoziativen Symptomen-20) in a large aggregate sample (n = 3,128) overrepresenting patients with trauma-related disorders. We then related these profiles to maltreatment severity as measured by the five subscales of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire as well as sociodemographic characteristics.Results: Based on the five FDS subscales, six clusters differentiated by symptom severity, but not symptom constellations, were identified. Somatoform dissociation varied in accordance with the remaining symptom clusters. The cluster with the highest overall symptom severity entailed nearly all subjects diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder and was characterized by extreme levels of childhood maltreatment. Both abuse and neglect were predictive of cluster membership throughout.Conclusions: The higher the severity of dissociative processing in a cluster, the more subjects reported high severity and multiplicity of childhood maltreatment. However, some subjects remain resilient to the development of dissociative processing although they experience extreme childhood maltreatment.

Dissociative symptoms, including identity alterations, are closely related to the severity of experienced childhood abuse.Somatoform dissociation occurs on all levels of overall dissociation severity.Some subjects with a history extreme childhood maltreatment do not develop dissociative symptoms, while some subjects with extreme dissociative symptoms do not report any childhood maltreatment.

Using decision tree to predict non-suicidal self-injury among young adults: the role of depression, childhood maltreatment and recent bullying victimization.

Importance: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant mental health issue requiring a deeper understanding of its underlying causes, such as childhood maltreatment, adult bullying victimization, and depression. Previous studies have not adequately addressed the cumulative risks of these factors on NSSI among college students. This population-based study investigates these cumulative risk factors.Design, setting, and participants: The cross-sectional study included 63 university's college students with a mean age of 19.6 years (N = 95,833).Main outcomes and measures: Two Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) decision tree models were used to classify subgroups based on childhood maltreatment and adult bullying victimization experiences and to investigate their cumulative risks of NSSI. Recursive partitioning algorithms determined each predictor variable's relative importance.Results: The CHAID model accurately predicted NSSI behaviours with an overall accuracy rate of 77.8% for individuals with clinically relevant depressive symptoms and 97.2% for those without. Among depressed individuals, childhood emotional abuse was the strongest NSSI predictor (Chi-Square, 650.747; adjusted P < .001), followed by sexual and physical abuse. For non-depressed individuals, emotional abuse in childhood was the strongest NSSI predictor (Chi-Square, 2084.171; adjusted P < .001), with sexual and verbal bullying in the past year representing the most significant proximal risks.Conclusions and relevance: Emotional abuse during childhood profoundly impacts individuals, increasing the risk of NSSI in both depressed and non-depressed individuals. Clinically relevant depressive symptoms have a moderating effect on the relationship between childhood maltreatment, adult bullying victimization, and NSSI. Identifying these factors can inform targeted interventions to prevent NSSI development among young adults.

Emotional abuse during childhood has a profound impact on individuals, increasing their risk of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), regardless of whether they are depressed or non-depressed.Among depressed individuals, childhood emotional abuse emerges as the strongest predictor of NSSI, followed by sexual and physical abuse.In non-depressed individuals, emotional abuse in childhood assumes a similar role as the strongest NSSI predictor, with sexual abuse and verbal bullying in the past year representing the most significant proximal risks.

Cognitive factors as mediators of the relationship between childhood trauma and depression symptoms: the mediating roles of cognitive overgeneralisation, rumination, and social problem-solving.

Background: Childhood trauma has negative immediate and long-term impacts on depression. Questions remain, however, regarding the cognitive factors influencing this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the role of three cognitive factors - cognitive overgeneralisation, rumination and social problem-solving - as mediating factors in the relationship between childhood trauma and symptoms of depression.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Iran from March to July 2023. Participants (N = 227; Mean age 32.44 ± 8.95 years) with depression completed measures of childhood trauma, depression, self-overgeneralisation, cognitive errors, memory specificity, rumination and social problem-solving. The conceptual model was assessed using structural equation modelling.Results: Structural equation modelling indicated that childhood trauma had a positive direct effect on depression symptoms. Childhood trauma had a positive indirect effect on depression symptoms through both self-overgeneralisation and rumination and a negative indirect effect on depression through effective social problem-solving strategies.Conclusions: The findings suggest increased exposure to childhood trauma may be associated with elevated depression and self-overgeneralisation, rumination, and effective social problem-solving strategies may play an important role in this relationship. These findings hold potential implications for those working with patients with depression and a history of childhood trauma.

Since the relationship between childhood trauma and depression is not straightforward, the study addresses a significant gap in the understanding of the relationship between childhood trauma and depression symptoms by focusing on cognitive factors as potential mediators among depressed patients.Childhood trauma not only has a direct positive effect on depression symptoms but also indirectly influences depression through self-overgeneralisation and rumination, which contribute to elevated depression, while effective social problem-solving strategies act as a protective factor, leading to decreased depression symptoms.The significance of above cognitive overgeneralisation factors in shaping the relationship between childhood trauma and depression symptoms suggests that therapeutic interventions targeting these cognitive factors might be hold promise in improving mental health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

La violencia como problema de salud / Violence as a health problem

La violencia es un problema de salud pública. Esta, cuando afecta a la infancia, puede generar enfermedad a lo largo de toda la vida del individuo. Aparte de poder producir daños en la esfera física, psíquica y social, supone una vulneración de los derechos de los niños afectados y un elevado consumo de recursos tanto económicos como sociales.Multitud de investigaciones han mejorado la atención a esta violencia. Sin embargo, estos avances no son parejos con el manejo práctico que se realiza a las víctimas tanto en la atención primaria como en la hospitalaria. Existe una significativa área de mejora para la atención pediátrica.A través de este artículo, distintos profesionales de todas las áreas sanitarias pediátricas establecidas desarrollan líneas generales de conocimiento y actuación con respecto a la violencia contra la infancia. Se hace un recorrido a través de la legislación relacionada con la infancia, las distintas tipologías de maltrato que existen, sus efectos, manejo y prevención. Concluye con un epílogo, a través del cual pretendemos mover sensibilidades.En resumen, este es un trabajo que pretende fomentar la formación y sensibilización de todos los profesionales especializados en la salud infantil, para que persigan como objetivo el que sus pacientes alcancen su mayor potencial en la vida y, de esa manera, ayudar a crear una sociedad más sana, con menos enfermedad y más justa.(AU)

Violence is a public health problem, and when it affects childhood, it can cause illness throughout the individual's life. Apart from being able to cause damage in the physical, mental and social spheres, it represents a violation of the rights of the affected children, and a high consumption of resources, both economic and social.A multitude of investigations have improved attention to this violence. However, these advances are not consistent with the practical management of victims, both in Primary and Hospital Care. There is a significant area of improvement for paediatric care.Through this article, different professionals from all established paediatric health care facilities develop general lines of knowledge and action regarding violence against children. An overview is taken of the legislation related to childhood, the different types of abuse that exist, their effects, management and prevention. It concludes with an epilogue, through which we aim to move sensibilities.In summary, this work aims to promote the training and awareness of all professionals specialized in children's health, so that they pursue the goal of achieving their patients’ greatest potential in life, and in this way, to help create a healthier society, with less disease, and more justice.(AU)

A sex-specific pathway linking early life maltreatment, vagal activity, and depressive symptoms.

Background: Experiences of early life maltreatment (ELM) are alarmingly common and represent a risk factor for the development of psychopathology, particularly depression. Research has focused on alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning as a mediator of negative mental health outcomes associated with ELM. Early alterations in autonomic vagal activity (vmHRV) may moderate the relationship between ELM and depression, particularly when considering forms of emotional maltreatment. Recent evidence suggests that the relationships of both ELM and vmHRV with depression may be non-linear, particularly considering females.Objective: Building on and extending theoretical considerations and previous work, the present work aims to further the current understanding of the complex relationships between ELM exposure, vmHRV, and depression.Methods: This study uses an adaptive modelling approach, combining exploratory network-based analyses with linear and quadratic moderation analyses, drawing on a large sample of males and females across adolescence (total N = 213; outpatient at-risk sample and healthy controls) and adulthood (total N = 85; community-based convenience sample).Results: Exploratory network-based analyses reveal that exposure to emotional abuse is particularly central within a network of ELM subtypes, depressive symptoms, and concurrent vmHRV in both adolescents and adults. In adults, emotional neglect shows strong associations with both emotional abuse and vmHRV and is highly central as a network node, which is not observed in adolescents. Moderator analyses reveal significant interactions between emotional maltreatment and vmHRV predicting depressive symptoms in adult females. Significant quadratic relationships of emotional maltreatment and vmHRV with depression are observed in both adolescent and adult females.Conclusions: The present findings contribute to the understanding of the psychological and physiological mechanisms by which ELM acts as a risk factor for the development of depression. Ultimately, this will contribute to the development of targeted and effective intervention strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of early adversity.

Early exposure to chronic and severe adversity, which includes experiences of maltreatment, defined by the World Health Organization as physical, sexual, emotional abuse and/or neglect of children under the age of 18, is highly prevalent in the general population (estimated at 40­50 percent), and is a well-documented risk factor for depression.The present work combines network-based analyses with tests of different functions (i.e. linear, nonlinear quadratic) in moderator analyses to further explore the complex relationships among ELM exposure, vmHRV, and depression.The present findings contribute to the understanding of the psychological and physiological mechanisms by which early exposure to chronic and severe maltreatment acts as a risk factor for the development of depression.Ultimately, this will contribute to the development of targeted and effective intervention strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of early adversity.

Violence as a Health Problem.

Violence is a public health problem, and when it affects childhood, it can cause illness throughout the individual's life. Apart from being able to cause damage in the physical, mental and social spheres, it represents a violation of the rights of the affected children, and a high consumption of resources, both economic and social. A multitude of investigations have improved attention to this violence. However, these advances are not consistent with the practical management of victims, both in Primary and Hospital Care. There is a significant area of improvement for paediatric care. Through this article, different professionals from all established paediatric health care facilities develop general lines of knowledge and action regarding violence against children. An overview is taken of the legislation related to childhood, the different types of abuse that exist, their effects, management and prevention. It concludes with an epilogue, through which we aim to move sensibilities. In summary, this work aims to promote the training and awareness of all professionals specialized in children's health, so that they pursue the goal of achieving their patients' greatest potential in life, and in this way, to help create a healthier society, with less disease, and more justice.

The effect of complex posttraumatic stress and poverty on quality of life among adult survivors of childhood institutional maltreatment: evidence from survivors of the 'Hyeongje Welfare Institution' in South Korea.

Background: Childhood institutional maltreatment (IM) is associated with both complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CTPSD) and poverty in adulthood life, each of which may impact an individual's quality of life (QoL). To find implications for clinical practice and policy making for adult survivors with childhood IM experiences, it is necessary to conduct research examining their current QoL and identifying related factors.Objective: By applying the model of the conservation of resources theory, we focused on how adulthood QoL can be indicated by childhood IM as well as the life outcomes of IM such as additional lifetime trauma, CPTSD, and poverty.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, self-report data were collected from 127 adults who were survivors of the 'Hyeongje' childhood IM in South Korea. We conducted regression analyses of childhood IM experiences, trauma experiences after escape from the institution, current CPTSD symptoms, and current poverty experiences on current QoL.Results: The duration of placement at the 'Hyeongje' (ß = .24, p = .009) was associated with trauma experiences after escape from the institution. Trauma experiences after escape from the institution (ß = .25, p = .007) were associated with CPTSD symptoms. CPTSD symptoms (ß = .26, p = .005) were associated with poverty, and both CPTSD symptoms (ß = -.52, p < .001) and poverty (ß = -.26, p = .003) were negatively associated with current QoL.Conclusions: Prolonged childhood IM brings about loss spirals by increasing an individual's exposure to experiences of further cumulative trauma, CPTSD, and poverty. There is a need for due diligence-based policy making and public support from the government to help create upward spirals for QoL. This may include the imminent detection and rescue of children as well as providing a safe environment, offering multidisciplinary interventions including evidence-based treatment for CPTSD, and considering economic support including collective reparations.

Duration of placement at the 'Hyeongje' institution was associated with additional trauma experience after escaping the institution.Cumulative trauma after escape was associated with CPTSD symptoms; CPTSD symptoms were associated with poverty; and both CPTSD symptoms and poverty were associated with poor current QoL.Multidisciplinary interventions including evidence-based treatment for CPTSD and considering economic resources for childhood IM survivors would be crucial in increasing QoL.

Heightened response to positive facial cues as a potential marker of resilience following childhood adversity.

Background: Childhood maltreatment profoundly influences social and emotional development, increasing psychiatric risk. Alterations in the implicit processing of threat-related cues following early abuse and neglect represent a marker of mental health vulnerability. Less is known about how early adversity influences the perception of positive social cues, despite their central role in establishing and maintaining social interactions and their association with better mental health outcomes.Methods: The sample consisted of 42 children and adolescents with substantiated childhood maltreatment experiences and 32 peers (mean age 13.3), matched on age, pubertal status, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and cognitive ability. A computerised experimental task assessed the perceived emotional intensity of positive (happy) and negative (fearful) facial expressions. Mental health symptoms were measured via self- and parental reports, and perceived social support was self-reported.Results: The experience of abuse and neglect was associated with heightened perceived intensity of positive facial cues. Cross-sectional post-hoc moderation and mediation analyses, employing a model-building approach, revealed that in maltreatment-exposed participants: (i) their increased response to positive facial cues was associated with lower symptoms; (ii) the presence of social support accounted for their heightened perceived intensity of positive facial cues; (iii) the presence of social support putatively contributed to lower symptoms by increasing the perceived intensity of positive facial cues. No group differences in perceived intensity of negative expressions were observed.Conclusions: These findings provide fresh insight into how positive faces are processed following maltreatment experience in childhood. Maltreatment experience was found to be associated with heightened perceived intensity of happy faces, which in turn was associated with better mental health and greater levels of social support. This suggests that heightened saliency of positive emotions acts protectively in children with maltreatment experience.

The impact of childhood maltreatment on perceiving positive social cues, especially explicit emotional intensity appraisal, is less understood compared to the extensive focus on its role in processing threat-related cues and psychiatric risk.In this study, we found that maltreatment experience was associated with heightened perceived intensity of happy faces, which in turn was associated with better mental health and greater levels of social support.These findings suggest that heightened saliency of positive emotions may act protectively in children with maltreatment experience.

Ethnically distinct populations and coping with violence against children in the COVID-19 pandemic / Poblaciones étnicamente diversas y la lucha contra la violencia infantil en la pandemia de COVID-19 / Populações etnicamente distintas e o enfrentamento da violência contra crianças na pandemia da COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify policies and programs adopted by a Brazilian municipality to address violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A qualitative documentary study. The study setting was the municipality of Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil. Data was collected from official websites between November 2021 and February 2022. Thematic content analysis was used with the support of webQDA software. Results: Three empirical categories emerged: a) Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence against children; b) Action strategies for tackling violence against children in the COVID-19 pandemic; c) Evaluation indicators and targets for action strategies for tackling violence against children. Final considerations: The documents revealed few direct mentions of children, especially traditional populations; they presented superficial and ineffective evaluations of the policies and programs adopted, using exclusively quantitative indicators.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar políticas y programas adoptados por un municipio brasileño para hacer frente a la violencia infantil durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Método: Se trata de un estudio cualitativo documental. El escenario fue el municipio de Ananindeua, Pará, Brasil. Los datos se recogieron de sitios de internet oficiales entre noviembre de 2021 y febrero de 2022. Se utilizó el análisis temático de contenido con el apoyo del software webQDA. Resultados: Surgieron tres categorías empíricas: a) Impactos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en la violencia contra los niños; b) Estrategias de acción para abordar esta violencia; c) Indicadores de evaluación y metas de las estrategias de acción para este afrontamiento. Consideraciones finales: Los documentos revelaron pocas menciones sobre los niños de las poblaciones tradicionales en especial y presentaron evaluaciones superficiales de las políticas y programas adoptados, utilizando exclusivamente indicadores cuantitativos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar políticas e programas adotados por um município brasileiro para o enfrentamento da violência contra crianças durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Método: Estudo qualitativo do tipo documental. O cenário de estudo foi Ananindeua, Pará, Brasil. A coleta de dados foi realizada em sites oficiais, de novembro de 2021 a fevereiro de 2022. Utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo temática apoiada pelo software webQDA. Resultados: Emergiram três categorias empíricas: a) Impactos da pandemia de COVID-19 na violência contra crianças; b) Estratégias de enfrentamento desta violência; c) Indicadores de avaliação e metas das estratégias para este enfrentamento Considerações finais: Há poucas menções diretas às crianças, especialmente às de populações tradicionais; apresentaram avaliações ineficazes das políticas, apenas qualitativamente.

Maltrato de personas mayores con multimorbilidad y su relación con la calidad de vida / Elder abuse with multimorbidity and its relationship with quality of life

Resumen Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia del maltrato y de la multimorbilidad, así como, analizar si el maltrato con la presencia de multimorbilidad está asociado con la autopercepción de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en personas mayores de Xalapa, Veracruz. Material y métodos: Este es un estudio transversal a partir de datos recolectados en una encuesta representativa de las personas mayores (≥60 años) de Xalapa, Veracruz. La encuesta se realizó de septiembre de 2018 a enero de 2019 (n = 993). Se utilizó un cuestionario para recolectar datos demográficos, socioeconómicos y de salud. El maltrato se evalúo mediante la Escala Geriátrica de Maltrato (EGM-22 ítems) y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud mediante el cuestionario de salud Short Form 36 (SF-36). Se realizaron análisis descriptivos para estimar las prevalencias y modelos de regresión logística para analizar la asociación. Resultados: La prevalencia del maltrato de personas mayores fue 16,2%. Los tipos de maltrato fueron: psicológico (13,6%), económico (4,8%), físico (3,2%), negligencia (2,3%) y abuso sexual (0,5%). La prevalencia de multimorbilidad fue 43.2%. Las personas mayores con maltrato y multimorbilidad presentaron menor calidad de vida en las dimensiones de rol físico (OR 2,362 IC: 1,254-4,452), dolor corporal (OR 2,278 IC: 1,277-4,065) y salud mental (OR 2,94 IC: 1,499-5,766). Conclusiones: El maltrato y la multimorbilidad son problemas comunes en las personas mayores de Xalapa, Veracruz, la presencia de estos dos eventos se asocia con una menor calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. La investigación futura debería concentrarse en mejorar la comprensión de las relaciones familiares de las personas mayores con multimorbilidad y, los servicios sociales y de atención médica deben tomar en cuenta estos hallazgos para atender el maltrato de personas mayores con multimorbilidad antes de que ocurran más situaciones adversas que impacten en su calidad de vida.

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of elder abuse and multimorbidity, as well as to analyze if elder abuse in the presence of multimorbidity is associated with self-perceived health-related quality of life in older adults from Xalapa, Veracruz. Material and methods: Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on data collected in a representative survey of older people (≥60 years) from Xalapa, Veracruz. The survey was conducted from September 2018 to January 2019 (n = 993). A questionnaire was used to collect demographic, socioeconomic, and health data. Elder abuse was assessed using the Geriatric Mistreatment Scale (GMS-22 items) and health-related quality of life using the short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36). Descriptive analyzes were performed to estimate the prevalence and logistic regression models to analyze the association. Results: The prevalence of elder abuse was 16.2%. The types of elder abuse were psychological (13.6%), economic (4.8%), physical (3.2%), neglect (2.3%) and sexual abuse (0.5%). The prevalence of multimorbidity was 43.2%. Older people with both elder abuse and multimorbidity presented lower health-related quality of life in the dimensions of physical role (OR 2,362 IC: 1,254-4,452), body pain (OR 2,278 IC: 1,277-4,065) and mental health (OR 2,94 IC: 1,499-5,766). Conclusions: Elder abuse and multimorbidity are common problems in the older population in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico; the presence of these two events is associated with lower health-related quality of life. Future research should focus on improving understanding of the family relationships of older people with multimorbidity, and health care and social services should take these findings into account to address the elder abuse with multimorbidity before further adverse situations occur that impact their health-related quality of life.

Evolución del riesgo y protección en la infancia y la adolescencia / Evolution of risk and vulnerability in childhood and adolescence

(analítico) Los factores de riesgo y protección pueden ser utilizados para evaluar, prevenir e intervenir en el maltrato infantil. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar longitudinalmente el riesgo en la infancia y la adolescencia, para determinar qué factores pueden ser empleados como indicadores de evolución. Se empleó una muestra de 102 niños, niñas y adolescentes que participaban en el sistema de bienestar infantil español, en tres momentos temporales. Los resultados indicaron que existe una evolución del riesgo, con una tendencia general de disminución de riesgos e incremento de elementos protectores. Nuestros hallazgos identificaron la existencia de factores dinámicos y estáticos. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la relevancia de la atención e intervención continuada y a largo plazo para fortalecer los factores de protección y disminuir los de riesgo en niños, niñas y adolescentes.

(analytical) Risk and protective factors can be used for risk and needs assessments, prevention, and intervention in cases involving mistreatment of children. The aim of this study is to provide a longitudinal analysis of risks and vulnerabilities in childhood and adolescence, with the goal of determining which factors can be used as indicators for progress with cases. A sample of 102 children and adolescents supported by the child welfare system in Spain was used along with measurements based on three different points in time. The study's results indicated that there is a change in risk levels, with a general trend of decreasing risk and increasing protective elements. The study's findings identified the existence of a group of dynamic factors and another group of static factors. This study highlighted the relevance of continuous and long-term care and intervention in order to strengthen protection and decrease risks for children.

(analítico) Os factores de risco e protecção podem ser utilizados para avaliar, prevenir e intervir em casos de maustratos a crianças. O objectivo deste estudo é analisar o risco na infância e adolescência longitudinalmente, a fim de determinar que factores podem ser utilizados como indicadores de evolução. Uma amostra de 102 crianças e adolescentes participantes no sistema espanhol de bem-estar infantil foi utilizada em três pontos no tempo. Os resultados indicaram que existe uma evolução do risco, com uma tendência geral de diminuição do risco e aumento dos elementos protectores. Os nossos resultados identificaram a existência de factores dinâmicos e estáticos. Este estudo destaca a relevância dos cuidados e intervenções contínuos e a longo prazo para reforçar os factores de protecção e diminuir os factores de risco nas crianças.

Maltreatment history and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in out-ofhome care: a three-level meta-analysis / La historia del maltrato y los síntomas internalizantes y externalizantes en acogimiento fuera del hogar: un meta-análisis de tres niveles

Background/Aim: Young people in care may show significant mental health difficulties because of previous adverse experiences, such as maltreatment or violence. However, no meta-analyses have been conducted on this topic. We aim to identify the role of previous maltreatment in current symptoms of children and adolescents in out-of-home care. Method: A search in Academic Search Complete, PsycArticles, PsycInfo, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, ERIC, Medline, Web of Science and Scopus databases was conducted. Studies were included if they were empirical and quantitative, involved school-aged children and adolescents, assessed maltreatment before placement in care and current internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Multiple effect sizes were extracted from each primary study, and a three-level meta-analysis for each type of maltreatment associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms was conducted. Results: The search yielded 122 effects sizes from 28 studies. Results indicated significant overall effects of general maltreatment (r = .260), abuse (emotional/physical) (r = .135) and sexual abuse (r = .247) on internalizing symptoms. In relation to externalizing symptoms, overall effects of abuse (emotional/physical) (r = .097) and sexual abuse (r = .187) were identified. The overall effect sizes of neglect were neither significant for internalizing or externalizing symptoms. A set of moderators was tested, and significant effects were found for the type of maltreatment measure on internalizing symptoms and for gender on externalizing symptoms. Conclusions: This study provides new insights beyond previous systematic reviews, as we were able to disentangle the associations between maltreatment and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in out-of-home care. (AU)

Antecedentes/Objetivos: Los niños y adolescentes de protección presentan problemas significativos en la salud mental debidos a experiencias previas adversas como el maltrato o la violencia. A pesar de ello no se han realizado meta-análisis sobre esto. Se diseñó una revisión meta-analítica con el objetivo de conocer el papel que desempeña el maltrato sufrido en los síntomas que experimentan los niños y adolescentes en acogida fuera del hogar. Método: Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos Academic Search Complete, PsycArticles, PsycInfo, Psychology y Behavioral Sciences Collection, ERIC, Medline, Web of Science y Scopus. Se incluyeron los estudios que eran empíricos y cuantitativos, concernían a niños y adolescentes en edad escolar, evaluaban el maltrato antes de que fuesen dados en acogida y también los síntomas actuales internalizantes y externalizantes. De cada estudio primario se extrajeron varios tamaños del efecto y se ejecutaron meta-análisis de tres niveles para cada tipo de maltrato asociado con síntomas internalizantes y externalizantes. Resultados: La búsqueda arrojó 122 tamaños de efecto provenientes de 28 estudios. Los resultados mostraron efectos generales significativos del maltrato general (r = .260), el abuso (físico/emocional) (r = .135) y el abuso sexual (r = .247) en los síntomas internalizantes. En cuanto a los síntomas externalizantes se encontraron efectos globales del abuso (emocional/físico) (r = .097) y abuso sexual (r = .187). Los tamaños del efecto globales de la negligencia fueron no significativos tanto ni para los síntomas internalizantes como para los externalizantes. También se estudiaron los efectos de moderadores, hallándose efectos significativos del tipo de medida del maltrato en los síntomas internalizantes y del género en los síntomas externalizantes. Conclusiones: ... (AU)

Differentiating between intrapsychic symptoms and behavioral expressions of borderline personality disorder in relation to childhood emotional maltreatment and emotion dysregulation: an exploratory investigation.

BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder, characterized by pronounced instability in emotions, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. Experiences of childhood maltreatment are among the risk factors for BPD. While self-damaging and aggressive acts often occur, not every person with the disorder shows markedly dysregulated behaviour. Internalized symptoms, such as shame, loneliness, and self-disgust tend to be more pervasive and persist after clinical remission. OBJECTIVE: Here we investigated associations between BPD symptom severity, childhood maltreatment, and emotion regulation difficulties. We further explored if the Borderline Symptom List (BSL) could potentially be used to differentiate between internalized symptoms (intrapsychic strain) and externalized symptoms (dysregulated behaviours) in future research. METHOD: 187 women with at least mild BPD symptoms (65% having a diagnosis of BPD) completed the BSL 23 including its 11-item supplement (BSL-S), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Participants further underwent a semi-structured clinical interview to assess BPD criteria (International Personality Disorder Examination, IPDE). Multivariate models and regression-based bootstrapping analyses were performed to test direct and indirect effects. RESULTS: Childhood trauma severity, especially emotional abuse, positively predicted BPD symptom severity. A significant indirect effect through emotion regulation difficulties was found (k2=.56). When exploring associations with BPD criteria (IPDE), the BSL-23 mean significantly correlated with separation anxiety, identity and mood problems, chronic emptiness, suicidal ideation, and dissociation, while the BSL-S correlated with self-harming impulsive behaviour and anger outbursts. CONCLUSIONS: Findings complement previous research, highlighting the role of childhood maltreatment and emotion regulation difficulties in BPD. While our findings need to be seen as preliminary and interpreted with caution, they suggest that the BSL may be used to differentiate between internalized symptoms and behavioural expressions of BPD in future research. Such a distinction might help to deepen the understanding of this complex heterogenous disorder.

Severity of borderline personality disorder was related to experiences of childhood maltreatment, mediated by emotion regulation difficulties.The Borderline Symptom List might be useful to differentiate between internalizing symptoms and externalizing symptoms associated with borderline personality disorder.

How are experiences and acceptability of child maltreatment related to resilience and posttraumatic growth: a cross cultural study.

Background: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) and resilience, regarded as positive psychological change following a traumatic experience, are under-researched across cultures in people exposed to child maltreatment (CM).Objective: We investigated how experiences and the perceived acceptability of CM are related to resilience and PTG in countries with different cultures, living standards, and gross national income.Method: A total of 478 adults from Cameroon (n = 111), Canada (n = 137), Japan (n = 108), and Germany (n = 122) completed an online survey with self-reported questionnaires, including the Brief Resilience Scale and the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form.Results: Across countries, self-reported male gender and age were positively associated with resilience, while experiences of physical abuse and emotional maltreatment were negatively associated with resilience. Experiences of emotional maltreatment were positively associated with PTG. Higher levels of PTG and resilience were found amongst Cameroonian participants as compared to other countries.Conclusion: Our results suggest that positive changes following CM can vary significantly across cultures and that experiences of specific CM subtypes, but not the perceived acceptability of CM, may be important for a deeper understanding of how individuals overcome trauma and develop salutogenic outcomes. Our findings may inform CM intervention programmes for an enhanced cultural sensitivity.

Across the four countries (Canada, Cameroon, Germany, Japan), more experiences of physical abuse and emotional maltreatment were associated with lower resilience; more experiences of emotional maltreatment were associated with greater post-traumatic growth.Higher levels of post-traumatic growth and resilience were found in Cameroon as compared to other countries.Positive changes following child maltreatment vary across cultures and experiences of specific child maltreatment subtypes, but the perceived acceptability of child maltreatment did not exert an influence on salutogenic post-traumatic outcomes.

Childhood maltreatment history and trauma-specific predictors of parenting stress in new fathers.

For new fathers, parenting stress is a risk factor for impaired early parenting and child maltreatment perpetration. Predictors of parenting stress, including fathers' own experiences of trauma, could be useful intervention targets to support new fathers. We aim to examine associations between new fathers' own histories of child maltreatment, and their perinatal mental health, relationships, and parenting stress. We recruited 298 first-time fathers for a survey that measured child maltreatment history, trauma sequelae including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), interpersonal reactivity, substance use, anger expression, coparenting quality, and parenting stress. On the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) (from 36 to 180), bivariate analysis demonstrated that new fathers who experienced child maltreatment (n = 94) had significantly higher parenting stress (x̅ = 85.3, σ = 18.7) than those who did not (n = 204; x̅ = 76.0, σ = 16.6; P < .000). Hierarchical linear regression modeling indicated that a child maltreatment history, PTSD, and MDD were significantly associated with parenting stress. The strongest predictors of parenting stress were coparenting quality and complex trauma sequelae-interpersonal reactivity and anger expression. Interventions to reduce fathers' parenting stress by targeting known mental health and relationship sequelae of maltreatment are promising avenues to breaking intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment and psychiatric vulnerability.

Para nuevos papás, el estrés de crianza es un factor de riesgo para la deficiente crianza temprana y para cometer maltrato infantil. Los factores de predicción del estrés de crianza, incluyendo las propias experiencias de trauma de los papás, pueden ser útiles metas de intervención para apoyar a los nuevos papás. Nos propusimos examinar las asociaciones entre las propias historias de maltrato de los nuevos papás, y su salud mental perinatal, relaciones y estrés de crianza. Reclutamos 298 papás primerizos para una encuesta que medía la historia de maltrato infantil, la secuela de trauma incluyendo el trastorno de estrés postraumático (PTSD), el trastorno depresivo serio (MDD), la reactividad interpersonal, el uso de sustancias, la expresión de ira, la calidad de la crianza compartida, así como el estrés de crianza. En el Índice de Estrés de Crianza (de 36-180), los análisis bivariantes demostraron que los nuevos papás que habían experimentado maltrato infantil (N = 94) tenían significativamente un mayor estrés de crianza (x̅ = 85.3, σ = 18.7) que aquellos que no habían tenido tal experiencia (N = 204; x̅ = 76.0, σ = 16.6; P<.000). El modelo de regresión lineal jerárquica indicó que una historia de maltrato infantil, PTSD y MDD estaban significativamente asociados con el estrés de crianza. Los más fuertes factores de predicción del estrés de crianza fueron la calidad de la crianza compartida y la compleja secuela de trauma-la reactividad interpersonal y la expresión de la ira. Las intervenciones para reducir el estrés de crianza de los papás por medio del enfoque en la salud mental conocida y las secuelas en la relación del maltrato son una vía prometedora para romper la transmisión intergeneracional del maltrato infantil y la vulnerabilidad siquiátrica.

Pour les nouveaux pères le stress de parentage est un facteur de risque pour le parentage précoce compromis et la perpétration de maltraitance de l'enfant. Les prédicteurs de stress de parentage, y compris les propres expériences de trauma des pères, pourraient être des cicles d'intervention utiles afin de soutenir les nouveaux pères. Nous nous sommes donné pour but d'examiner les liens entre le propre passé de maltraitance de l'enfant des nouveaux pères et leur santé mentale périnatale, leurs relations et le stress de parentage. Nous avons recruté 298 nouveaux pères (pères pour la première fois) pour un sondage mesurant l'histoire de la maltraitance de l'enfant, les séquelles de trauma y compris les troubles de stress post-traumatique (TSPT), les troubles dépressifs majeurs (MDD en anglais), la réactivité interpersonnelle, la toxicomanie, l'expression de colère et la qualité du co-parentage ainsi que le stress parental. Pour l'Index de Stress de Parentage (de 36-180), une analyse bivariée a montré que les nouveaux pères qui avaient fait l'expérience de maltraitance de l'enfance (N = 94) avaient un stress de parentage bien plus élevé (x̅ = 85,3, σ = 18,7) que ceux n'en ayant pas fait l'expérience (N = 204; x̅ = 76,0, σ = 16,6; P<,000). Un modèle de régression linéaire hiérarchique a indiqué qu'un passé de maltraitance de l'enfant, le TSPT et le MDD étaient fortement liés au stress de parentage. Les facteurs de prédiction les plus forts de stress de parentage étaient la qualité du co-parentage et les séquelles de trauma complexes - réactivité interpersonnelle et l'expression de la colère. Les interventions pour réduire le stress de parentage des pères en ciblant la santé mentale connue et les séquelles de maltraitance sont un chemin prometteur pour casser la transmission intergénérationnelle de la maltraitance de l'enfant et la vulnérabilité psychiatrique.