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Childhood Adversity (childhood + adversity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Medical Sciences66%
Psychology33%

Selected Abstracts

Childhood adversity in alcohol- and drug-dependent women presenting to out-patient treatment

DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2001
RAINE BERRY
Abstract Eighty alcohol- and/or drug-dependent women who were consecutive admissions to a representative out-patient alcohol and drug service in Christchurch were interviewed with the aim of establishing the extent of exposure to childhood adversity including childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse and parental problems. The results show that a sizeable percentage of the women came from backgrounds characterized by parental conflict and alcohol and drug problems. Within their first 15 years 51% were subjected to sexual abuse involving attempted or completed oral, anal or vaginal intercourse and 39% were exposed regularly to physical abuse perpetrated by their parents or main parental figures. Over half reported experiencing emotional abuse rated as being ,very distressing' and two-thirds had been exposed to ,very distressing' parental problems. The main implication for clinical practice arising from the results of this study is the need for the development of a broader approach to alcohol and drug service provision. In order to achieve positive treatment outcomes, alcohol and drug services may need to routinely screen and plan treatment for childhood adversity and associated problems in all clients presenting for alcohol and drug treatment. [source]

Earlier stress exposure and subsequent major depression in aging women

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2010
Stephanie Kasen
Abstract Objective Despite evidence that stress exposure earlier in the life course may have long-term consequences for psychopathology, most models of vulnerability for late life depression are limited to current stressors or to retrospective reports of stress history. This study estimates the influences of earlier stressors assessed longitudinally on subsequent major depressive disorder (MDD) in women at average age 60 (range 50,75). Method MDD, negative life events (NLE), and marital stress were assessed multiple times in a community-based sample of 565 women followed for three decades. Adverse events experienced in childhood also were assessed prior to outcome. Results Greater childhood adversity, earlier high levels of NLE and marital stress, and a more rapid increase in marital stress over time elevated the odds of MDD at average age 60 independent of all stressors and other salient risk factors. Childhood adversity was mediated in part by intervening risks. Prior depression, earlier poor health status, a more rapid deterioration in health with age, and current disability owing to physical problems also were related independently to later MDD. Conclusions These findings support the enduring effects of earlier stress burden on MDD in women into old age and, in light of the increasing proportion of older women in the population, have important clinical implications for identification and treatment of those at risk for depression. Findings also underscore the need to develop resources to counteract or buffer similar stress exposure in younger generations of women. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Psychiatric Comorbidity in Treatment-Seeking Alcoholics: The Role of Childhood Trauma and Perceived Parental Dysfunction

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2004
Willie Langeland
Abstract: Background: This study among treatment-seeking alcoholics examined the relationship between childhood abuse (sexual abuse only [CSA], physical abuse only [CPA], or dual abuse [CDA]) and the presence of comorbid affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and suicide attempts, controlling for the potential confounding effects of other childhood adversities (early parental loss, witnessing domestic violence, parental alcoholism, and/or dysfunction) and adult assault histories. Method: We assessed 155 (33 females, 122 males) treatment-seeking alcoholics using the European Addiction Severity Index, the Structured Trauma Interview, and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results: The severity of childhood abuse was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide attempts in females and with PTSD, social phobia, agoraphobia, and dysthymia in males. Among men, multiple logistic regression models showed that CPA and CDA were not independently associated with any of the examined comorbid disorders or with suicide attempts. However, CSA independently predicted comorbid social phobia, agoraphobia, and PTSD. For the presence of comorbid affective disorders (mainly major depression) and suicide attempts, maternal dysfunctioning was particularly important. CSA also independently contributed to the number of comorbid diagnoses. For females, small sample size precluded the use of multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Childhood abuse is an important factor in understanding clinical impairment in treated alcoholics, especially regarding comorbid phobic anxiety disorders, PTSD, and suicidality. These findings underline the importance of routine assessment of childhood trauma and possible trauma-related disorders in individuals presenting to alcohol treatment services. More studies with bigger samples sizes of female alcohol-dependent patients are needed. [source]

Early adversity in chronic depression: clinical correlates and response to pharmacotherapy,,

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 8 2009
Daniel N. Klein Ph.D.
Abstract Background: There is growing evidence suggesting that early adversity may be a marker for a distinct pathway to major depressive disorder (MDD). We examined associations between childhood adversity and a broad variety of clinical characteristics and response to pharmacotherapy in a large sample of patients with chronic forms of MDD. Methods: Subjects included 808 patients with chronic forms of MDD (chronic MDD, double depression, or recurrent MDD with incomplete recovery between episodes and a total continuous duration of >2 years) who were enrolled in a 12-week open-label trial of algorithm-guided pharmacotherapy. Baseline assessments included a semi-structured diagnostic interview, and clinician- and self-rated measures of depressive symptoms, social functioning, depressotypic cognitions, and personality traits, and childhood adversity. Patients were re-evaluated every 2 weeks. Results: A longer duration of illness; earlier onset; greater number of episodes, symptom severity, self-rated functional impairment, suicidality, and comorbid anxiety disorder; and higher levels of dysfunctional attitudes and self-criticism were each associated with multiple forms of childhood adversity. A history of maternal overcontrol, paternal abuse, paternal indifference, sexual abuse, and an index of clinically significant abuse each predicted a lower probability of remission. Among patients completing the 12-week trial, 32% with a history of clinically significant abuse, compared to 44% without such a history, achieved remission. Conclusions: These findings indicate that a history of childhood adversity is associated with an especially chronic form of MDD that is less responsive to antidepressant pharmacotherapy. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Meeting risk with resilience: high daily life reward experience preserves mental health

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010
N. Geschwind
Geschwind N, Peeters F, Jacobs N, Delespaul P, Derom C, Thiery E, van Os J, Wichers M. Meeting risk with resilience: high daily life reward experience preserves mental health. Objective:, To examine prospectively whether high reward experience (the ability to generate positive affect boosts from pleasurable daily events) protects against affective symptoms and whether environmental or genetic risk factors moderate protective effects. Method:, At baseline, 498 female twins participated in an experience sampling study measuring reward experience in daily life. They also completed questionnaires on childhood adversity and recent stressful life events (SLE). Affective symptoms were measured at baseline and at four follow-ups using SCL-90 anxiety and depression subscales. Co-twin affective symptoms were used as indicators of genetic risk. Results:, Baseline reward experience did not predict follow-up affective symptoms, regardless of level of genetic risk. However, high reward experience was associated with reduced future affective symptoms after previous exposure to childhood adversity or recent SLE. Conclusion:, High daily life reward experience increases resilience after environmental adversity; modification of reward experience may constitute a novel area of therapeutic intervention. [source]

Childhood adversity in alcohol- and drug-dependent women presenting to out-patient treatment

DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2001
RAINE BERRY
Abstract Eighty alcohol- and/or drug-dependent women who were consecutive admissions to a representative out-patient alcohol and drug service in Christchurch were interviewed with the aim of establishing the extent of exposure to childhood adversity including childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse and parental problems. The results show that a sizeable percentage of the women came from backgrounds characterized by parental conflict and alcohol and drug problems. Within their first 15 years 51% were subjected to sexual abuse involving attempted or completed oral, anal or vaginal intercourse and 39% were exposed regularly to physical abuse perpetrated by their parents or main parental figures. Over half reported experiencing emotional abuse rated as being ,very distressing' and two-thirds had been exposed to ,very distressing' parental problems. The main implication for clinical practice arising from the results of this study is the need for the development of a broader approach to alcohol and drug service provision. In order to achieve positive treatment outcomes, alcohol and drug services may need to routinely screen and plan treatment for childhood adversity and associated problems in all clients presenting for alcohol and drug treatment. [source]

Earlier stress exposure and subsequent major depression in aging women

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2010
Stephanie Kasen
Abstract Objective Despite evidence that stress exposure earlier in the life course may have long-term consequences for psychopathology, most models of vulnerability for late life depression are limited to current stressors or to retrospective reports of stress history. This study estimates the influences of earlier stressors assessed longitudinally on subsequent major depressive disorder (MDD) in women at average age 60 (range 50,75). Method MDD, negative life events (NLE), and marital stress were assessed multiple times in a community-based sample of 565 women followed for three decades. Adverse events experienced in childhood also were assessed prior to outcome. Results Greater childhood adversity, earlier high levels of NLE and marital stress, and a more rapid increase in marital stress over time elevated the odds of MDD at average age 60 independent of all stressors and other salient risk factors. Childhood adversity was mediated in part by intervening risks. Prior depression, earlier poor health status, a more rapid deterioration in health with age, and current disability owing to physical problems also were related independently to later MDD. Conclusions These findings support the enduring effects of earlier stress burden on MDD in women into old age and, in light of the increasing proportion of older women in the population, have important clinical implications for identification and treatment of those at risk for depression. Findings also underscore the need to develop resources to counteract or buffer similar stress exposure in younger generations of women. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Retrospective accounts of recurrent parental physical abuse as a predictor of adult laboratory-induced aggression

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 3 2004
Brian K. Moe
Abstract Child abuse has been frequently associated with adult aggression in its many forms. The Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP) is a popular laboratory-based procedure derived from the retaliatory responses of participants engaged in a monetary-reinforced computer game. PSAP responses have been found to discriminate between participants with and without violent, antisocial, substance abuse, and even contact-sport athletic histories. The present study provided an initial test of the sensitivity of the PSAP and the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS) in discriminating between college students (n=28) with and without reported histories of recurrent physical abuse as defined by incidents of being pushed, shoved, struck, punched, or threatened with physical violence by a parent more than once every six weeks over 15 years of upbringing. PSAP responses were substantially higher (d=2.1) among participants reporting histories of recurrent parental physical abuse, with 46% (as opposed to 0% for controls) of these individuals generating PSAP responses in excess of 400 (average found for violent parolees). Group differences on the OAS were also considerable (>1 SD). Larger factorial designs examining relationships between a range of developmental variables (e.g., domestic abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, parental divorce, family climate, etc.) and adult PSAP responding may help advance present knowledge regarding the impact of childhood adversity on psychological development. Aggr. Behav. 30:217,228, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

The Legacy of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Family Adversity

JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 4 2008
Donna S. Martsolf
Purpose: To describe the process by which childhood adversity influences the life course of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Design: A community-based, qualitative, grounded-theory design. Methods: In this grounded theory study, data were drawn from open-ended interviews conducted as part of a larger study of women's and men's responses to sexual violence. The current study indicates the experiences of 48 female and 40 male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and family adversity. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Findings: Participants described a sense of inheriting a life of abuse and adversity. The process by which childhood adversity influences the life course of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse is labeled Living the Family Legacy. The theory representing the process of Living the Family Legacy includes three major life patterns: (a) being stuck in the family legacy, (b) being plagued by the family legacy, and (c) rejecting the family legacy/creating a new one. Associated with these life patterns are three processes by which participants passed on a legacy to others, often their children: (a) passing on the family legacy, (b) taking a stab at passing on a new legacy, and (c) passing on a new legacy. Conclusions: The legacy of abuse and adversity has a profound effect on the lives of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. There are several trajectories by which the influence of childhood adversity unfolds in the lives of adult survivors and by which the legacy is passed on to others. Clinical Relevance: The model representing the theoretical process of Living the Family Legacy can be used by clinicians who work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and childhood adversity, especially those who have parenting concerns. [source]