Child maltreatment in a high adversity context: Associations of age, type and timing of exposure with psychopathology in middle childhood.

Autor: Juen F; Department of Human Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Germany. Electronic address: praxis@f-juen.de., Hecker T; Department of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, Germany; Institute for interdisciplinary Research on Conflict & Violence, University of Bielefeld, Germany; Non-Governmental Organization Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany., Hermenau K; Non-Governmental Organization Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany; Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital Bethel, University Hospital EWL, Bielefeld University, Germany., Teicher MH; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America; Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States of America., Mikinga G; Non-Governmental Organization Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany; Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies, Mkwawa University College of Education, Iringa, Tanzania., Nkuba M; Non-Governmental Organization Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany; Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania., Masath FB; Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies, Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania., Schalinski I; Department of Human Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Germany; Non-Governmental Organization Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Child abuse & neglect [Child Abuse Negl] 2024 Nov; Vol. 157, pp. 107060. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Sep 18.
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.107060
Abstrakt: Background: While cumulative childhood maltreatment (CM) has been linked to psychopathological outcomes, recent studies point to the relevance of the type and timing of exposure. The aim of the current study was to better understand their importance beyond the cumulative burden of CM for psychopathological symptoms in middle childhood.
Methods: A total of N = 341 children (M = 9.92, SD = 1.51) were interviewed to assess trauma load (UCLA - University of California at Los Angeles Event List), exposure to CM (pediMACE - Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure - Pediatric Interview) and different outcomes of psychopathology (UCLA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index, Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). We employed conditioned random forest regression, incorporating type, timing, and cumulative indicators of CM, to assess the importance of each predictor simultaneously.
Results: Exposure to CM (abuse, neglect and cumulative indicators) exhibited a robust association with psychopathological outcomes. Recent abuse and recent neglect showed most robust associations with outcomes, neglect was stronger related to internalizing problems and timing of exposure showed clear associations with diverse pathological outcomes.
Conclusion: Beyond the cumulative burden, type and timing of CM show direct and diverse associations to pathological outcomes in middle childhood. Our results highlight the critical importance of early and detailed identification of CM, particularly recent exposure. This finding is valuable for researchers and clinicians, as it can refine diagnostic assessments and pave the way for effective early intervention strategies for affected children.
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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