scholarly journals Clarifying the causal relationship in women between childhood sexual abuse and lifetime major depression

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1213-1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Kendler ◽  
S. H. Aggen
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Measurement Error ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Variance Explained

BackgroundChildhood sexual abuse (CSA) is strongly associated with risk for major depression (MD) but the degree to which this association is causal remains uncertain.MethodWe applied structural equation modeling using the Mplus program to 1493 longitudinally assessed female twins from the Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders.ResultsOur model included (i) retrospective self- and co-twin reports on CSA, (ii) major potentially confounding covariates, (iii) assessment of lifetime history of MD at two separate interviews, and (iv) mood-congruent recall (implemented by allowing current depressive symptoms to predict reporting of CSA). In a model with only measurement error, CSA explained 9.6% of MD. Including four key covariates reduced the variance explained to 5.3%, with the largest effects found for parental loss and low parental warmth. Adding the effect of mood-congruent recall to a final well-fitting model reduced the percentage of variance explained in lifetime MD (LTMD) by CSA to 4.4%. In this model, current depressive symptoms significantly predicted recall of CSA.ConclusionsIn a model correcting for measurement error, confounding and the impact of mood-congruent recall, CSA remains substantially associated with the risk for LTMD in women. These findings strongly suggest, but do not prove, that this association is causal, and are consistent with previous results in this sample using a co-twin control design, but also indicate that more than half of the uncorrected CSA–MD association is probably not causal. Traumatic life experiences contribute substantially to the risk for LTMD.

scholarly journals Depressive symptoms and web user experience

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meinald T. Thielsch ◽  
Carolin Thielsch
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
The Impact

Background Depression, as one of the most prevalent mental disorders, is expected to become a leading cause of disability. While evidence-based treatments are not always easily accessible, Internet-based information and self-help appears as a promising approach to improve the strained supply situation by avoiding barriers of traditional offline treatment. User experience in the domain of mental problems therefore emerges as an important research topic. The aim of our study is to investigate the impact of depressive symptoms on subjective and objective measures of web user experience. Method In this two-part online study (Ntotal = 721) we investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms of web users and basic website characteristics (i.e., content, subjective and objective usability, aesthetics). Participants completed search and memory tasks on different fully-functional websites. In addition, they were asked to evaluate the given websites with standardized measures and were screened for symptoms of depression using the PHQ-9. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to determine whether depression severity affects users’ perception of and performance in using information websites. Results We found significant associations between depressive symptoms and subjective user experience, specifically of website content, usability, and aesthetics, as well as an effect of content perception on the overall appraisal of a website in terms of the intention to visit it again. Small yet significant negative effects of depression severity on all named subjective website evaluations were revealed, leading to an indirect negative effect on the intention to revisit a website via impaired content perceptions. However, objective task performance was not influenced by depressiveness of users. Discussion Depression emerges as capable of altering the subjective perception of a website to some extend with respect to the main features content, usability, and aesthetics. The user experience of a website is crucial, especially as it facilitates revisiting a website and thus might be relevant in avoiding drop-out in online interventions. Thus, the biased impression of persons affected by symptoms of depression and resulting needs of those users should be considered when designing and evaluating E-(Mental)-Health-platforms. The high prevalence of some mental disorders such as depression in the general population stresses the need for further investigations of the found effects.

Exploring Mediators of the Link Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Attempted or Completed Rape in a Mixed Gender College Sample

Partner Abuse ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Vanessa Tirone ◽  
Terasa Lillis ◽  
Jennifer Katz ◽  
Todd Moore
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Sexual Revictimization ◽  
Mixed Gender

Research is needed to better understand risk for sexual revictimization following childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Using single and multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques, we examined (a) whether the relation between CSA and attempted or completed rape was mediated by attachment insecurity (either anxiety or avoidance) and sexual motives and (b) whether these models differed significantly by gender. Sexually active college students (920; 59% women, 84% White, 96% heterosexual) were recruited for an Internet-based self-report cross-sectional survey study. About half (49%) of individuals who experienced CSA also experienced victimization since age 14. Thirty-five percent of women and 18% of men reported rape or attempted rape since age 14. In Model 1 attachment anxiety only partially mediated revictimization for women. In Model 2 attachment avoidance did not mediate revictimization. In both models avoidance motives for sex partially mediated revictimization for women and men but this effect was stronger for men. These findings underscore the importance of conducting sexual revictimization research in mixed-gender samples. Our results suggest that rates of men's victimization may be higher than previously assumed, and evaluating gender differences with modeling techniques may help identify variables (i.e., attachment anxiety) that explain the greater prevalence of sexual assault in adulthood among women.

Pathway to Expectations of Child Functioning Following Sexual Abuse: Caregiver Maltreatment History and Depressive Symptoms

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110435
Author(s):  
Akemi E. Mii ◽  
Kelsey McCoy ◽  
Hannah M. Coffey ◽  
Mary Fran Flood ◽  
and David J. Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Predominately White ◽  
Biological Mothers ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
Negative Expectations

Caregiver responses and behaviors often play a significant role in a child’s recovery following child sexual abuse (CSA). Caregiver expectations of their child’s postabuse functioning has been associated with child symptoms, such that negative expectations lead to worse outcomes for the child. Additionally, caregivers who experienced maltreatment in their own childhood may face difficulties providing support to their child after CSA. Caregivers’ own psychological symptoms may influence their expectations for their child’s future functioning following CSA. This study utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the association between caregivers’ childhood maltreatment histories, their expectations for their child’s future functioning following CSA, and the indirect effect of caregiver depressive symptoms on this relationship. Participants were 354 nonoffending caregivers presenting to treatment with their child following CSA disclosure. Caregivers were 23-72 years old ( M = 38.38, SD = 8.02), predominately white, and predominately biological mothers to the youth who were abused. Results indicated that caregivers who experienced maltreatment in childhood were more likely to experience depressive symptoms, which then lead to more negative expectations of their child’s future functioning. As negative expectations are associated with poorer outcomes for children following CSA, increased attention to caregivers’ depressive symptoms in treatment may promote more positive expectations for their child’s postabuse functioning.

scholarly journals Shared and specific genetic risk factors for lifetime major depression, depressive symptoms and neuroticism in three population-based twin samples

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (16) ◽  
pp. 2745-2753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth S. Kendler ◽  
Charles O. Gardner ◽  
Michael C. Neale ◽  
Steve Aggen ◽  
Andrew Heath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Genetic Risk Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling

AbstractBackgroundVulnerability to depression can be measured in different ways. We here examine how genetic risk factors are inter-related for lifetime major depression (MD), self-report current depressive symptoms and the personality trait Neuroticism.MethodWe obtained data from three population-based adult twin samples (Virginia n = 4672, Australia #1 n = 3598 and Australia #2 n = 1878) to which we fitted a common factor model where risk for ‘broadly defined depression’ was indexed by (i) lifetime MD assessed at personal interview, (ii) depressive symptoms, and (iii) neuroticism. We examined the proportion of genetic risk for MD deriving from the common factor v. specific to MD in each sample and then analyzed them jointly. Structural equation modeling was conducted in Mx.ResultsThe best fit models in all samples included additive genetic and unique environmental effects. The proportion of genetic effects unique to lifetime MD and not shared with the broad depression common factor in the three samples were estimated as 77, 61, and 65%, respectively. A cross-sample mega-analysis model fit well and estimated that 65% of the genetic risk for MD was unique.ConclusionA large proportion of genetic risk factors for lifetime MD was not, in the samples studied, captured by a common factor for broadly defined depression utilizing MD and self-report measures of current depressive symptoms and Neuroticism. The genetic substrate for MD may reflect neurobiological processes underlying the episodic nature of its cognitive, motor and neurovegetative manifestations, which are not well indexed by current depressive symptom and neuroticism.

The Sexual Fantasies of Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors: A Rapid Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802110304
Author(s):  
Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan ◽  
Eugenia Opuda
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Abuse Survivors ◽  
Sexual Fantasies ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Function

Although the association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and various aspects of sexual difficulties is well established, little is known about the association between CSA and adult sexual fantasies. The current rapid review searched for studies that reported on CSA and sexual fantasies through PubMed, PsycInfo, and Violence & Abuse Abstracts databases. Included in the review were empirical studies involving a population of adults who experienced CSA before the age of 18 and which reported on survivors’ sexual fantasies. The impact of CSA on adult sexual fantasies was found across three main dimensions: prevalence of sexual fantasies, content, and appraisal of the fantasies. Overall, 13 studies that addressed the sexual fantasies of survivors of CSA were identified. This review found an association between CSA and adult sexual fantasies, indicating that survivors of CSA are more likely to report: unrestricted sexual fantasies, more atypical sexual fantasies, more sexual fantasies that involve force, and more fantasies that include elements of sadomasochism, submissiveness, and dominance. Survivors of CSA also begin having sexual fantasies at a significantly earlier age and report their sexual fantasies as being significantly more intrusive than do nonabused subjects. When treating CSA survivors, therapists should acknowledge that a history of CSA can impact the survivors’ sexual fantasies. Further studies with adult survivors of CSA are needed to determine how these sexual fantasies develop subsequent to the abuse, how they are perceived by survivors, and what their effect is on survivors’ and their partners’ sexual health, function, and satisfaction.

Vulnerability and resiliency to suicidal behaviours in young people

2002 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. FERGUSSON ◽  
A. L. BEAUTRAIS ◽  
L. J. HORWOOD
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Family History ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Young People ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Peer Affiliations

Background. We aimed to examine factors that influence vulnerability/resiliency of depressed young people to suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.Method. Data were gathered during a 21-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 New Zealand young people. Measures included: suicide attempt; suicidal ideation; major depression; childhood, family, individual and peer factors.Results. Young people who developed major depression had increased rates of suicidal ideation (OR=5·4; 95% CI 4·5–6·6) and suicide attempt (OR=12·1; 95% CI 7·9–18·5). However, the majority of depressed young people did not develop suicidal ideation or make suicide attempts, suggesting that additional factors influence vulnerability or resiliency to suicidal responses. Factors influencing resiliency/vulnerability to suicidal responses included: family history of suicide; childhood sexual abuse; neuroticism; novelty seeking; self-esteem; peer affiliations; and school achievement. These factors operated in the same way to influence vulnerability/resiliency among those depressed and those not depressed.Conclusions. Vulnerability/resiliency to suicidal responses among those depressed (and those not depressed) is influenced by an accumulation of factors including: family history of suicide, childhood sexual abuse, personality factors, peer affiliations and school success. Positive configurations of these factors confer increased resiliency, whereas negative configurations increase vulnerability.

scholarly journals Stigma as a barrier to addressing childhood trauma in conversation with trauma survivors: A study in the general population

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258782
Author(s):  
Georg Schomerus ◽  
Stephanie Schindler ◽  
Theresia Rechenberg ◽  
Tobias Gfesser ◽  
Hans J. Grabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
General Population ◽  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Childhood Physical Abuse ◽  
Negative Stereotypes

Victims of childhood trauma report shame and anticipation of stigma, leading to non-disclosure and avoidance of help. Stigma is potentially aggravating the mental health consequences of childhood trauma. So far there is no comprehensive study examining stigma toward adult survivors of various forms of childhood trauma, and it is unclear whether stigma interferes with reaching out to affected individuals. In a vignette study based on a representative sample of the German general population (N = 1320; 47.7% male) we randomly allocated participants to brief case vignettes pertaining to past childhood sexual/physical abuse or accidents, and adult physical abuse. Stigma was elicited by applying the Social Distance Scale, assessing respondents’ attitudes/stereotypes toward the persons in the vignette and their reluctance to address the specific trauma in conversation. While one aim was to establish the prevalence of stigma toward persons with CT, we hypothesized that attitudes differ according to type of trauma. Of the respondents, 45% indicated they were unlikely to reach out to a victim of childhood sexual abuse, 38% to a victim of childhood physical abuse, 31% to someone reporting a childhood accident and 25% to someone reporting adult physical abuse. Contrary to our expectations, childhood sexual abuse did not consistently elicit more stigma than childhood physical abuse in Krukall-Wallis tests. Equally, childhood interpersonal trauma did not consistently elicit more stigma than childhood accidental trauma. Structural equation modeling revealed social distance as mediator of the relationship between negative stereotypes and reluctance to address childhood trauma in conversation. Our analyses further revealed an ambiguous role of negative stereotypes in addressing childhood trauma in conversation with trauma victims, which has yet to be examined. There is evidence for stigma associated with having survived childhood trauma, which is interfering with offering help.

scholarly journals The impact of childhood trauma and psychophysiological reactivity on at-risk women's adjustment to parenthood

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirjam Oosterman ◽  
Carlo Schuengel ◽  
Mirte L. Forrer ◽  
Marleen H. M. De Moor
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Parasympathetic Nervous System ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sinus Arrhythmia ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have an impact on women's adaptation to parenthood, but mechanisms are poorly understood. Autonomic nervous system reactivity was tested as a potential mediating mechanism in a sample of 193 at-risk primiparous women. ACEs were measured retrospectively during pregnancy. A baby cry-response task was administered during pregnancy while indicators of sympathetic reactivity (pre-ejection period; PEP) and parasympathetic reactivity (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) were recorded. Parenting self-efficacy, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were measured during pregnancy and 1 year after giving birth. Harsh discipline was measured 2 years after giving birth. Structural equation modeling was employed to test whether baseline PEP and RSA and reactivity mediated links between ACEs and postnatal outcomes, adjusted for prenatal variables. High ACEs predicted less RSA reactivity (p = .02), which subsequently predicted increases in depressive symptoms (p = .03). The indirect effect was not significant (p = .06). There was no indirect link between high ACEs and harsh parenting through PEP nor RSA (n = 98). The parasympathetic nervous system may be involved in negative affective responses in the transition to parenthood among women exposed to childhood trauma.

Modeling Intervention Efficacy for High-Risk Women

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Greenberg ◽  
Michael Hennessy ◽  
Robin MacGowan ◽  
David Celentano ◽  
Virginia Gonzales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
High Risk Women ◽  
Multiple Partners

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two strategies—communication and condom skills training—for increasing condomprotected sex in a sample of 510 high-risk women ages 17 to 61. Baseline and 3- and 6-month postintervention interview data were gathered in three cities participating in a randomized trial of a six-session, group skill-building intervention. This analysis was conducted for the entire sample and for six subgroups categorized by age, single or multiple partners, and history of childhood sexual abuse. The dependent variable was the odds ratio of protected sex acts at each follow-up. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate effects for two intervention pathways. The pathway through condom skills increased the odds of protected sex for the intervention group (χ2 difference = 35, df = 2, p < .05) as well as for all subgroups. The pathways through communication were significant for the intervention group (χ2 difference = 23, df =3, p < .05) but fully effective only for participants under 30 and participants who reported childhood sexual abuse. The effectiveness of both pathways diminished at 6 months. WINGS demonstrates that condom skills training can increase protected sex for a heterogeneous group of women. Further research needs to examine how such skill training translates into use of condoms by male partners. To increase the duration of intervention effects, booster sessions may need to be incorporated.

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