Mediating Effect of Mindfulness,Self-Esteem and Psychological Resilience in the Relation between Childhood Maltreatment and Life Satisfaction

Childhood maltreatment,as a typical early adverse environment,is known to have a negative impact on one’s life satisfaction.Mindfulness,on the other hand,may serve as a protective factor.This study explored the mediating role of mindfulness and its related variables–positive thoughts,psychological resilience and self-esteem.In order to testify the mechanism,we administered Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ),Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS),Mindful Attention Awareness Scale(MAAS),Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC)and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale(RSES)to a non-clinical sample of Chinese university students(N=1021).The results indicated that positive thoughts did not mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and life satisfaction,but self-esteem(β=−0.194,95%CI=[−0.090,−0.040])and psychological resilience(β=−0.063,95%CI=[−0.059,−0.020])mediated the relationship,as well as the“mindfulness-selfesteem”(β=−0.061,95%CI=[−0.287,−0.126])and“mindfulness-psychological resilience”(β=−0.035,95%CI=[−0.115,−0.034]).The results of this study were helpful to understand the relationship between childhood maltreatment and life satisfaction and provided a theoretical basis for the development of mindfulness intervention programs from the perspective of positive psychology.

Recognition of Child Maltreatment by Mothers Raising Infants Up to Four Months of Age and Types of Support Felt Necessary

Objective: This study aimed to identify whether mothers who had undergone their one-month checkup at obstetrical care facilities and were raising infants up to four months of age recognized child maltreatment, the coping strategies that they used to calm their emotions during those moments, and types of support felt necessary. Method: This was a qualitative, descriptive design study conducted from July 2022 to March 2023. Semi-structured interviews based on an interview guideline of 21 first-time mothers raising infants up to four months of age were conducted. The responses were classified into categories. Results: Situations that mothers caring for infants up to four months of age recognized as child maltreatment were classified into 11 categories, such as [Becoming emotional for not understanding the child’s needs or the reason for their crying, and reacting confrontationally towards the child]. Coping strategies that helped mothers calm their emotions during those moments were classified into 10 categories, such as [Conversing with adults around them]. Types of support that mothers felt necessary were classified into 14 categories, such as [Guidance from experts on the growth and development of their children, even after leaving the maternity facility]. Discussion: Maltreatment recognized by postpartum mothers up to four months after birth was classified into two categories: situations involving actions taken towards the child, although not at a serious level, and situations where no actual actions were taken. Even acts that do not actually constitute maltreatment were considered maltreatment. During parenting, every mother may experience negative feelings towards her child and may face moments when she feels incapable of engaging with her child. The importance of socially supporting mothers who are often alone with their children and having preventive approaches for all postpartum mothers were suggested as supportive measures needed to prevent the occurrence of maltreatment.

Childhood maltreatment and suicide ideation: A possible mediation of social support

BACKGROUND Existing literature suggests a positive link between childhood maltreatment(CM)and suicide ideation(SI).Nevertheless,whether social support significantly mediates this association remains unknown.AIM To investigate whether social support significantly mediates the association between CM and SI.METHODS In this cross-sectional study of 4732 adolescents from southwest China,we intended to discuss the association between CM and multiple types of SI.In addition,the mediation of major types of social support in this association was also investigated.A self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data.A series of multivariate logistic regression models were employed to estimate the association between different types of CM,social support,and SI.The possible mediation of social support in the association between CM and SI was assessed using the path model.RESULTS Based on the cutoffs for subscales of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire,928(19.61%),1269(26.82%),595(12.57%),2337(49.39%),and 3067(64.81%)respondents reported physical abuse,emotional abuse,sexual abuse,physical neglect,and emotional neglect,respectively.Among all the social sources,parental support presented as a significant mediator in the association between emotional maltreatment,both abuse and neglect,and all three types of SI:1-wk,1-year,and lifetime.Parental social support mediated 5.31%and 29.23%,4.80%and 24.50%,and 7.04%and 44.42%of the overall emotional abuse-SI and emotional neglect-SI associations,respectively.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that improving parental social support might be effective in preventing suicidal risk related to childhood emotional maltreatment in adolescents.

It’s for the Greater Good: Perspectives on Maltreatment during Labor and Delivery in Rural Ghana

Aim: Encouraging women to deliver in facility settings is one strategy to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in the developing world. However, in much of sub-Saharan Africa, fewer than half of pregnant women deliver in health facilities. Fear of maltreatment during labor and delivery has been shown to be one barrier to facility delivery, yet previous studies have focused solely on reports from women, rarely seeking insights from practicing midwives. Method: All seven practicing midwives from a rural hospital in Ghana and ten pregnant women seeking antenatal care from the same hospital were recruited to participate in in-depth interviews regarding their perceptions of care during labor and delivery. A semi-structured interview tool and qualitative field interviewing approach were utilized. All interviews were audio taped, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo 9.0. Results: Respondents described situations that precipitate abuse during facility deliveries, yet not all abuse was seen as acceptable. Two overarching themes emerged: 1) The interaction between midwives and their patients is analogous to a mother/daughter relationship, including both a knowledge imbalance and the need for disciplinary action when necessary;and 2) Midwives feel a strong sense of responsibility for the delivery outcomes and as a result, they will do whatever it takes to deliver a live baby to a healthy mother. Hitting, yelling, and neglecting women were reported as common occurrences in the labor and delivery ward. However, each was undertaken to encourage women to do what was needed to deliver safely. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the issue of patient maltreatment in low-resource labor and delivery settings is complex and may be undertaken in what is perceived to be the laboring woman’s best interest. The exploration of alternative strategies to facilitate labor and delivery is warranted, as well as the provision of adequate support and resources for practicing midwives in rural settings.

The relationship between child maltreatment and axis I mental disorders: A summary of the published literature from 2006 to 2010

Research has indicated that child maltreatment is associated with an increased likelihood of mental disorders and suicidal ideation and attempts that continues into adulthood. The purpose of this paper is to provide a synopsis of the recent published research from 2006 to 2010 on the association between child maltreatment and Axis I mental disorders and suicidal ideation and attempts. The databases MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for relevant and high quality citations up to October 2010. The results indicated that all types of child maltreatment examined are linked to reduced mental health. A general noted trend in the literature is that earlier age of onset of child maltreatment is associated with poorer mental health outcomes. Sex differences do exist with some disorders being more likely among males (e.g., anti-social behaviour) and other more likely among females (e.g., depression, PTSD, substance use disorders) following child maltreatment.

How Child Maltreatment Enduringly Impacts Aggression: A Perspective Based on Personality Solidification

It has been shown that early experiences of maltreatment can stably influence an individual’s internal and externalaggressive behavior in adulthood. And on what mechanisms do this stability arise? From the perspective of personalitysolidification theory, this study sample of 1951 primary and secondary school students was used toexplore the relationship between child maltreatment, Big Five personality and internalized and externalizedaggression, as well as the different mechanisms of differentiation of personality components in child maltreatmenton two different natures of aggression, using four scales: The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), RevisedNEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), None-suicidal Self-Injury Scale and Aggression Questionnaire. The findingssuggest that (1) neuroticism plays the same mediating mechanism in the effect of child maltreatment on thepersistence of internalized and externalized aggression;and (2) conscientiousness plays a different mechanism ineffect of child maltreatment on both internalized and externalized aggression. Therefore, child maltreatmentshould be discouraged and the development of a sound personality should be guided, thus reducing future aggressivebehavior and promoting child development and social harmony.

Comparison Study on Prevalence of Psychological Maltreatment and Its Relationship with Psychological Stress and Self-Esteem among School Students in Tanzania and China

Background: Childhood psychological maltreatment in the country paralyses children personal career integration, national development and achievement of plans laid in a given country. In most of the time, psychological maltreatment is masked within other form of child abuse and neglect when they co exit. Knowing the prevalence of childhood psychological maltreatment and the impact associated with trauma of psychological maltreatment synergize the existing evidence-based interventions that are applied to prevent psychological maltreatment. If it is left unattended childhood psychological maltreatment might lead to mental and psychological problems. This study investigates psychological maltreatment: prevalence and its relationship with psychological stress and self-esteem among school students in Tanzania and China. Methods: Participants were selected by multistage cluster sampling respectively in China and Tanzania. In China, participants were recruited randomly from four middle schools in two cities, Xiaogan and Ezhou. In Tanzania, participants were recruited randomly from seven secondary schools in five regions, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Iringa, Mtwara and Dar es Salaam. Adverse Childhood Experience questionnaire (ACE), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) were used to gather data. Results: The sample consisted of 555 (55.5%) female and 445 (45.5%) male (N = 1000) of Tanzanian school students, On the other hand in China the sample size was 3193. Female students were 1650 (51.7%) as compared to male 1543 (48.3%). The average self-esteem score of student in Tanzania was (26.14% ± 7.45 std deviation) and in China was (22.12 ± 4.734 std deviation), in Tanzania male have higher 392 (55.3%) self-esteem scores as compared female 317 (44.7), while in China results showed that female have higher self-esteem 1223 (50.2%) than male 1211 (49.8%). There was a strong positive correlation between psychological maltreatment and self-esteem (r = 0.55, p −0.086, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Psychological maltreatment is prevalent in our setting and statistically significant positively affected self-esteem among Tanzanian and China adolescents and is associated with high levels of psychological distress during adolescence. Moreover, exposure to psychological maltreatment during childhood was found to be associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing psychological distress in adolescence. Urgent preventive measures aiming at reducing the incidence of childhood psychological maltreatment is necessary to lessen the incidence of low self-esteem and psychological distress among Tanzanian and China adolescents.

Regional superficial amygdala resting-state functional connectivity in adults infers childhood maltreatment severity

Background:Childhood maltreatment(CM)is a potential risk factor for some neuropsychiatric disorders in adulthood(e.g.depression and anxiety)and alters trajectories of brain development.Accumulating evidence suggests that functional connectivity of the limbic system,especially the amygdala,is highly associated with childhood maltreatment,although not all studies have found this.These inconsistent results may be due to differential alterations of amygdala resting-state functional connectivity(rsFC)following childhood maltreatment.Objective:Our aim was to investigate the relationship between the rsFC of amygdala subregions and CM severity,as well as to develop a stable rsFC-based model for inferring the severity of CM.Methods:In this study,we employed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ)to assess CM severity in each individual.We explored the relationship between the rsFC of amygdala subregions(i.e.centromedial-CMA,basolateral-BLA,superficial-SFA amygdala)and CM experience in a discovery dataset of n=110 healthy Chinese participants by linear multiple regression analysis.Subsequent dimensional and categorical approach were performed to elucidate the relationship between rsFCs and CM severity and CM subtypes,respectively.A support vector regression model was then conducted to validate the associations between rsFCs and total CTQ scores.Moreover,we also verified the model into another independent replication dataset(n=38).Results:Our findings suggested that childhood maltreatment was negatively associated with rsFC between the right superficial amyg-dala and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex(pgACC)/postcentral gyrus(PCG)but not the other two amygdala subregions.Moreover,SFA-pgACC coupling was more associated with physical neglect whereas the SFA-PCG was more related to emotional neglect.In addi-tion,supervised machine learning confirmed that using these two rsFCs as predictors could stably estimate continuous maltreatment severity in both discovery and replication datasets.Conclusion:The current study supports that the rsFCs of superficial amygdala are related to childhood maltreatment and which may be a potential biomarker for the effects of childhood maltreatment-related psychiatric disorders(i.e.depression and anxiety).

Risk Factors for Abuse in Children with Congenital Heart Disease Presenting at a Pediatric Tertiary Care Hospital

Background:Congenital heart disease(CHD)is a chronic medical condition often diagnosed at birth and requires surgical intervention,multiple hospitalizations,and lifelong care.This can put significant stress on the family,leading to altered maternal mental health,bonding and attachment issues,and the potential for child abuse.The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of a sample of young children with CHD who experienced hospitalization with concurrent concern for child abuse in a free-standing pediatric tertiary care hos-pital.Methods:Electronic medical records were reviewed for children aged 0–5 years old who were hospitalized with concern for child abuse between 2016 and 2020.Variables were extracted related to the history of presenta-tion,and sociodemographics including SDOH,admission,and discharge condition/follow-up.Descriptive statis-tics were used to characterize the sample and correlations to identify an association with abuse type.Results:Out of 251 hospitalizations involving concern for child abuse,49(19.5%)had a diagnosis of CHD.The majority of cases were neglect(51%),<1 year of age(80%),male(57%),Hispanic ethnicity(45%),and publicly insured(90%).CHD severity was moderate to severe(71%)with multiple co-occurring medical conditions(genetic syn-drome,failure to thrive(FTT),prematurity,history of a feeding tube,developmental delay,and intrauterine drug exposure).Correlations associated with physical abuse were age,maternal mental health,head injury,and history of Child Protective Services(CPS)involvement.Neglect correlated with age,FTT,head injury,history of a feeding tube,previous CPS involvement,and substance use.Correlates specifically related to prenatal substance use included age,maternal mental health status,history of domestic violence,CPS involvement,feeding tube,FTT,lack of housing,employment status,and public insurance.Conclusions:Our study highlights the risk for abuse in children with CHD,regardless of defect severity.The most common abuse type was neglect(mostly prenatal substance use)which was associated with few child characteristics,but many parent/caregiver and neighborhood factors.This underscores the need for individual and/or family-based screening and approaches to provide psy-chological support and needed resources to assist parents of children with CHD to prevent abuse.Interventions should focus on families of low socioeconomic status with limited support and/or resources.

Which Are the Factors Associated to Child Mistreatment? Use of a Routinely Collected Specific Dataset for Surveillance in a Belgian Pediatric Unit

Introduction: Child abuse is a serious health problem with compelling evidence that the phenomenon is common throughout the world. The Center “SOS enfants ULB” is a specialized team, established in a pediatric ward, which had mission to prevent and to treat the situations of children victims of physical, sexual, psychological abuse or of neglect. Our objectives were to describe the characteristics of 439 children hospitalized for (suspicion of) maltreatment and to investigate different factors potentially associated with the children at risk of neglect or maltreatment, the children victims of neglect and the physically maltreated children. Methods: Chi square test and multinomial logistic regression models with clustered robust standard error were applied to assess the relationship between the three types of mistreatment and the potential associated factors. Results: Maltreatment was observed for almost one in two children (48.7%) and approximately four on ten (41.5%) were considered at risk. Physical abuse was the most prevalent (57.9%) among the maltreated children and neglect was the second most prevalent (37.4%) form of maltreatment. Regarding the criteria leading to hospitalisation, at least one protective criterion was observed for a little more than eight children on ten. The parental criteria have shown that social problems and conjugal conflicts were the most prevalent for this category of hospitalisation criteria. Conclusion: These data, concerning the hospitalized children for which there is (suspicion of) mistreatment, collected by this team make important contribution to describing child maltreatment and its associated factors. Despite the fact that these hospitalized cases may be probably more serious than those who were not reported, every event, however small it may be, should be known for better organizing each level of prevention.

Micro-traumatic Experiences and Psychotherapeutic Treatment

It’s becoming even more widely recognized from neurosciences, epigenetics, and clinical research on observation of infant-caregiver interaction that daily cumulated micro-traumatic experiences cause damages not only to one’s mental health and identity, but also to immune system, leading to metabolic, eating, sleeping, affective, behavioural, cognitive and linguistic, and social disorders in adults as well as in children and infants. Relational Psychoanalytic treatment argues that the therapeutic change is related to expanding levels of consciousness and exploring new ways of being in the world. Clinical examples are provided.

An impacted oesophageal foreign body in a physically abused child

Physicians under-report cases of child abuse or child maltreatment. We present a case of an impacted oesophageal foreign body in a physically abused child. S.H. is a 7-year-old male child who accidentally ingested metal clip while being assaulted by his paternal uncle whom he resides with. He presented with dysphagia, odynophagia and drooling of saliva and urgent x-ray soft tissue neck revealing the presence of the metallic foreign body in the prevertebral region. He had emergency oesophagoscopy with the removal of foreign body, did well and was discharged home 4th day postoperatively after parental counselling. It remains the responsibility of paediatric healthcare providers to consider child maltreatment as a differential diagnosis of any unexplained injury or medical problems, including oesophageal foreign body impaction.

Representations of Child Abuse in Quebec Print Media and the Integration of Child Psychological Ill-Treatment into the Youth Protection Act: When Distancing Abusive Families Matters More

The media has played an important role in raising the public awareness and knowledge on child abuse.Yet,we do not know how child psychological maltreatment was presented in the media and how it might colour our common understanding of the problem.This article presents the results of a qualitative research on social representations of child psychological maltreatment in the Quebec media.More specifically,the study aimed to investigate how child abuse and child psychological maltreatment were presented in the Quebec media when psychological maltreatment was formally integrated into the Youth Protection Act in 2006.85 newspaper articles were analyzed.We identified various forms of anchoring and objectivation of social representations,including the emotional anchoring and objectivation of abuse in moral outrage,compassion,and fear,as well as various metaphors,personifications,and antinomies related to the issue.Cross-sectional analysis of the data revealed the thematic anchoring of representations of child maltreatment in the thêmata self/other and justice/injustice.This article discusses the implications of these results regarding social exclusion and the othering process of marginalized groups.Finally,we will address the repercussions of these thêmata on current solutions and action plans to end child abuse and maltreatment.