Do positive reappraisals moderate the association between childhood emotional abuse and adult mental health?

Abstract Numerous studies have demonstrated that child abuse is associated with poor adult mental health, but few have investigated the extent to which the frequency of different types of abuse increase mental health conditions, especially at the nexus of gender. The present study examines whether parental abuse frequency and abuse perpetrator have distinct effects for men and women on three mental health outcomes—depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and global self-reported mental health. Data came from three waves of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), comprising a baseline sample of 3,032 adults aged 25-74. Estimating a series of mixed effects models revealed that maternal abuse and frequent abuse during childhood were associated with poorer adult mental health during our 20-year observation period, net of childhood and adult risk factors. Specifically, maternal emotional abuse raised the risk of depression, anxiety, and lower self-rated mental health, and was more strongly associated with depression and anxiety for women than men. Compared to adults who did not experience parental abuse during childhood, adults who experienced frequent emotional and physical abuse by either parent were more likely to experience depression and anxiety and report lower ratings of mental health in adulthood. Frequent child abuse was more strongly associated with anxiety for women than men. These results demonstrate that gender differences in adult mental health have early-life antecedents. Future research investigating the long-term mental health consequences of child abuse should consider the type and magnitude of abuse as well as the perpetrator.

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The Impact of Childhood Emotional Abuse on Pain Interference Among People with Chronic Pain who Inject Drugs in Vancouver, Canada

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnz233 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 704-713

Author(s):

Amy Prangnell ◽

Jean Shoveller ◽

Pauline Voon ◽

Hennady Shulha ◽

Cameron Grant ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Mediation Analysis ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

People Who Inject Drugs ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Mental Health Disorder ◽

Pain Interference ◽

Childhood Emotional Abuse ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objective High levels of chronic pain interference with daily activities are known to negatively impact quality of life. Although mental health conditions have been associated with pain interference and child abuse, research has been mixed regarding it acting as a mediator, with even less known among people who inject drugs. Therefore, we sought to explore childhood emotional abuse and pain interference among this population. Methods Data were derived from two prospective cohort studies of community-recruited people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada, between June 2014 and November 2016. We employed multivariable generalized estimating equations to examine the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and pain interference in the past six months. We also conducted a mediation analysis to examine whether mental health disorder diagnoses mediated this association. Results Among 822 eligible participants, 341 (41.5%) reported childhood emotional abuse. In a multivariable analysis, experiencing childhood emotional abuse remained independently associated with pain interference (adjusted odds ratio = 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–1.70) after adjusting for a range of confounders. Results from the mediation analysis yielded a statistically significant positive average causal mediation effect (β = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.001–0.02). Approximately 12% of the effect was due to mediation. Conclusions Our results demonstrate among people who inject drugs with chronic pain, those who experienced childhood emotional abuse were more likely to report pain interference, which was partially mediated by mental health disorder diagnosis history. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating screening and appropriate treatment for mental illness into chronic pain treatment.

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CHILD ABUSE AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH: DOES GENDER MATTER?

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3399 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S934-S934

Author(s):

Patricia M Morton ◽

Blakelee Kemp ◽

Frass Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Child Abuse ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

The United States ◽

Future Research ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Adult Mental Health ◽

Maternal Abuse ◽

Parental Abuse

Abstract Numerous studies have demonstrated that child abuse is associated with poor adult mental health, but few have investigated the extent to which the frequency of different types of abuse increase mental health conditions, especially at the nexus of gender. The present study examines whether parental abuse frequency and abuse perpetrator have distinct effects for men and women on three mental health outcomes—depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and global self-reported mental health. Data came from three waves of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), comprising a baseline sample of 3,032 adults aged 25-74. Estimating a series of mixed effects models revealed that maternal abuse and frequent abuse during childhood were associated with poorer adult mental health during our 20-year observation period, net of childhood and adult risk factors. Specifically, maternal emotional abuse raised the risk of depression, anxiety, and lower self-rated mental health, and was more strongly associated with depression and anxiety for women than men. Compared to adults who did not experience parental abuse during childhood, adults who experienced frequent emotional and physical abuse by either parent were more likely to experience depression and anxiety and report lower ratings of mental health in adulthood. Frequent child abuse was more strongly associated with anxiety for women than men. These results demonstrate that gender differences in adult mental health have early-life antecedents. Future research investigating the long-term mental health consequences of child abuse should consider the type and magnitude of abuse as well as the perpetrator.

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The Impact of Childhood Psychological Maltreatment on Mental Health Outcomes in Adulthood: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10.31234/osf.io/gk9yv ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhuoni Xiao

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Health Problems ◽

Emotional Neglect ◽

Abuse And Neglect ◽

Childhood Emotional Abuse ◽

Clinical Populations

Childhood emotional abuse and emotional neglect are the least well-studied forms of childhood abuse due to difficulties in detection and definition. Available evidence suggests associations with multiple adulthood mental health problems in both clinical and non-clinical populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number CRD42020197833) explored the associations between childhood emotional abuse and neglect and various adulthood mental health problems based on eight databases. There were 79 English and 11 Chinese studies meeting inclusion criteria. The results suggested that childhood emotional abuse and emotional neglect had positive associations with various adulthood mental health problems (d = 0.02-1.84) such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicide ideation, or suicide ideation or attempts, personality disorder, eating disorder and other psychological symptoms in the general population and across different geographical regions. Further, the findings suggested that compared with individuals in non-clinical populations, individuals in clinical populations were more likely to have experienced emotional abuse and neglect during their childhood. The review highlights the need for more research on emotional abuse and emotional neglect, especially in non-western countries and the elder populations. They further underline the importance of addressing issues related to childhood emotional abuse/neglect experiences for the prevention and treatment of mental health issues in adulthood.

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Demographic and mental health correlates of childhood emotional abuse and neglect in a Hong Kong sample

Child Abuse & Neglect ◽

10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104288 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 99 ◽

pp. 104288 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hong Wang Fung ◽

Hei Man Chung ◽

Colin A. Ross

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

Abuse And Neglect ◽

Childhood Emotional Abuse

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Exposure to Child Abuse and Risk for Mental Health Problems in Women

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/088667007782312140 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 620-631 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Renee Schneider ◽

Nikki Baumrind ◽

Rachel Kimerling

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Child Abuse ◽

Emotional Abuse ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Fold Increase ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Problems ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Adult Mental Health ◽

Increased Risk

Risk for adult mental health problems associated with child sexual, physical, or emotional abuse and multiple types of child abuse was examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to test study hypotheses in a population-based sample of women (N = 3,936). As expected, child sexual, physical, and emotional abuse were independently associated with increased risk for mental health problems. History of multiple types of child abuse was also associated with elevated risk for mental health problems. In particular, exposure to all three types of child abuse was linked to a 23-fold increase in risk for probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Findings underscore relations between child emotional abuse and adult mental health problems and highlight the need for mental health services for survivors of multiple types of child abuse.

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