scholarly journals Adverse childhood experiences and adult self-harm in a female forensic population

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Rachel Holden ◽  
Imogen Stables ◽  
Penelope Brown ◽  
Maria Fotiadou
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Forensic Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric ◽  
The Individual

Aims and method This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among patients in a female forensic psychiatric in-patient medium-secure unit, and to analyse the link between ACEs, adulthood self-harm and associated comorbidities and risk factors. The study used a cross-sectional design, with data gathered from the anonymised electronic health records of patients. Results It was found that there was a high prevalence of both ACEs and self-harm among this patient group, and that there was a relationship between the two; those with more ACEs were more likely to have self-harmed during adulthood. Of the individual ACE categories, it was also demonstrated that emotional abuse had a significant association with adulthood self-harm. Clinical implications In medium-secure settings for women, implementation of trauma-informed care will be beneficial because of the high number of those with mental disorders who have experienced adversity during their childhood.

scholarly journals The interaction of adverse childhood experiences and gender as risk factors for depression and anxiety disorders in US adults: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Whitaker ◽  
Tracy Dearth-Wesley ◽  
Allison N. Herman ◽  
Amy E. Block ◽  
Mary Howard Holderness ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Short Form ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Abstract Background Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and being female are distinct risk factors for having a major depressive episode (MDE) or an anxiety disorder (AD) in adulthood, but it is unclear whether these two risk factors are synergistic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to ACEs and being female are more than additive (synergistic) in their association with MDE and AD in US adults. Methods We pooled cross-sectional survey data in the Midlife in the United States study from two nationally-representative cohorts of English-speaking US adults. Data from the first cohort were collected in 2004–2006 and from the second in 2011–2014. Data from both cohorts included the 12-month prevalence of MDE and AD (generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder) assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form, gender (here termed female and male), and the count of five categories of exposure to ACEs: physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; household alcohol or substance abuse; and parental separation or divorce. Results Of the 5834 survey respondents, 4344 (74.5%) with complete data on ACEs were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) age was 54.1 (13.8) years and 53.9% were female. The prevalences of MDE, AD, and exposure to 3–5 categories of ACEs were 13.7, 10.0, and 12.5%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates (age, race, and current and childhood socioeconomic disadvantage), for those with both risk factors (female and 3–5 ACEs) the prevalence of MDE was 26.9%. This was 10.2% (95% CI: 1.8, 18.5%) higher than the expected prevalence based on the additive associations of the two risk factors. The adjusted prevalence of AD among females with 3–5 ACEs was 21.9%, which was 11.4% (95% CI: 4.0, 18.9%) higher than the expected prevalence. Conclusions For both MDE and AD, there was synergy between the two risk factors of exposure to ACEs and being female. Identification and treatment of MDE and AD may benefit from understanding the mechanisms involved in the synergistic interaction of gender with ACEs.

scholarly journals Adverse childhood experiences, daytime salivary cortisol, and depressive symptoms in early adulthood: a longitudinal genetically informed twin study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Iob ◽  
Jessie R. Baldwin ◽  
Robert Plomin ◽  
Andrew Steptoe
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Cortisol Levels

AbstractDysregulated hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis function might underlie the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and depression. However, limited research has examined the possible mediating role of the HPA-axis among young people using longitudinal data. Moreover, it remains unclear whether genetic influences could contribute to these associations. Participants were 290 children from the Twins Early Development Study. ACEs were assessed from age 3–11 years. We calculated a cumulative risk score and also derived different ACEs clusters using factor analysis and latent class analysis. HPA-axis activity was indexed by daytime salivary cortisol at age 11. Depressive symptoms were ascertained at age 21. Genetic liability to altered cortisol levels and elevated depressive symptoms was measured using a twin-based method. We performed causal mediation analysis with mixed-effects regression models. The results showed that ACEs cumulative exposure (b = −0.20, p = 0.03), bullying (b = −0.61, p = 0.01), and emotional abuse (b = −0.84, p = 0.02) were associated with lower cortisol levels at age 11. Among participants exposed to multiple ACEs, lower cortisol was related to higher depressive symptoms at age 21 (b = −0.56, p = 0.05). Lower cortisol levels mediated around 10–20% of the total associations of ACEs cumulative exposure, bullying, and dysfunctional parenting/emotional abuse with higher depressive symptoms. Genetic factors contributed to these associations, but the mediation effects of cortisol in the associations of ACEs cumulative exposure (b = 0.16 [0.02–0.34]) and bullying (b = 0.18 [0.01–0.43]) remained when genetic confounding was accounted for. In conclusion, ACEs were linked to elevated depressive symptoms in early adulthood partly through lower cortisol levels in early adolescence, and these relationships were independent of genetic confounding.

scholarly journals Associations of adverse childhood experiences and social support with self-injurious behaviour and suicidality in adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 214 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Wan ◽  
Ruoling Chen ◽  
Shuangshuang Ma ◽  
Danielle McFeeters ◽  
Ying Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Individual

BackgroundThere is little investigation on the interaction effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social support on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in community adolescent populations, or gender differences in these effects.AimsTo examine the individual and interaction effects of ACEs and social support on NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in adolescents, and explore gender differences.MethodA school-based health survey was conducted in three provinces in China between 2013–2014. A total of 14 820 students aged 10–20 years completed standard questionnaires, to record details of ACEs, social support, NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.ResultsOf included participants, 89.4% reported one or more category of ACEs. The 12-month prevalence of NSSI, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt was 26.1%, 17.5% and 4.4%, respectively; all were significantly associated with increased ACEs and lower social support. The multiple adjusted odds ratio of NSSI in low versus high social support was 2.27 (95% CI 1.85–2.67) for girls and 1.81 (95% CI 1.53–2.14) for boys, and their ratio (Ratio of two odds ratios, ROR) was 1.25 (P = 0.037). Girls with high ACEs scores (5–6) and moderate or low social support also had a higher risk of suicide attempt than boys (RORs: 2.34, 1.84 and 2.02, respectively; all P < 0.05).ConclusionsACEs and low social support are associated with increased risk of NSSI and suicidality in Chinese adolescents. Strategies to improve social support, particularly among female adolescents with a high number of ACEs, should be an integral component of targeted mental health interventions.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals Association of adverse childhood experiences with functional identity and impulsivity among adults: a cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Haaris Sheikh ◽  
Sadiq Naveed ◽  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Ihtisham Tahir Jaura
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Functional Identity ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Scale Functions ◽  
Adverse Childhood

Introduction: The present study explores the association of adverse childhood experiences with impulsivity and functional identity among Pakistani adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 260 Pakistani medical students aged 18 and above were approached. A consent form, a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, and an English versions of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale, Functions of Identity scale (FIS) and Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) was employed in this study. All data were analyzed in SPSS v. 20. Results: A total of 122 (52.6%) of respondents had experienced at least one adverse childhood experience. According to linear regression analysis, ACE scores were significantly associated with increasing age, increasing order in birth, lower scores on functional identity structure and non-planning impulsivity, and higher scores on future (functional identity) and motor impulsivity. Conclusions: A high proportion of Pakistani medical students reported adverse childhood experiences, which lead to impulsive behaviors and poor functional identities.

scholarly journals Adverse childhood experiences and their relationship to gender and depression among young adults in Iraq: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameel F. Al Shawi ◽  
Yassen T. Sarhan ◽  
Mahasin A. Altaha
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Physical Abuse ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Emotional Neglect ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Physical Neglect

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are considered as universal public health problem that associate with mental disorders and risky behaviors during adulthood. The aims of the paper are to estimate the prevalence of Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among young adults in Iraq as well as to estimate the association between ACEs and depression. Methods A convenience sample of young adults of 18–20 years was chosen from centre and west of Iraq, mainly from universities. The adverse childhood experiences were measured by Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. A depression scale was derived from the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS). Statistical tests: chi square was used to measure the association between adverse childhood experiences and other variables like gender and depression. Odds ratios were computed to estimate the risk for depression. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The total number of participants was 401, 38.9% of the subjects were men, while 61.1% were women. The mean age of the participants was 18.88 ± 0.745. The results revealed that the most common forms of ACEs among the subjects were physical neglect (19.8%) and emotional neglect (19.2%) followed by physical abuse (17.21%) while sexual abuse was 7.52%. There was statistically significant association between most forms of adverse childhood experiences especially emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse and physical neglect with depression. Conclusion ACEs are not uncommon among young adults in Iraq and are associated with depression in adulthood. National programmes to support mental health rehabilitation might be necessary to reduce the effect of ACEs among Iraqi people, especially for adolescents and young adults.

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