Associations between Child Maltreatment, Harsh Parenting, and Sleep with Adolescent Mental Health

The role of perceived social support from family, friends and significant others in the association between childhood maltreatment on sleep quality in adolescents: Evidence from a weekly diary study

BACKGROUND

Childhood maltreatment is a common problem that can have lasting effects on the physical and mental health of adolescents who have experienced it, including sleep quality.

OBJECTIVE

This study will investigate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and sleep quality in adolescents using a weekly diary method.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

In this study, students from a middle school in central China were recruited as research subjects, and a total of 11 classes with 470 students were investigated.

METHODS

In order to fill in the gaps of previous studies, a weekly diary method was used to collect data. Subjects were required to complete three scales once a week for seven consecutive weeks, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI).

RESULTS

Findings suggest that childhood maltreatment has a negative impact on adolescent's sleep quality at the weekly level (γ01c = -0.07, t = -5.71, p < .001) . The negative effect of childhood maltreatment on sleep quality was significantly reduced with the addition of perceived social support (γ01c' = -0.03, t = -2.83, p < .01). Notably, support from friends (γ01a*γ02b = -0.01) and significant others (γ01a*γ02b = -0.02) also played an important mediating role in child maltreatment and adolescent sleep quality, but family support remained the most important support in adolescents (γ01a*γ02b = -0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study has confirmed the negative correlation between childhood maltreatment and sleep quality in adolescents. Furthermore, it has clarified the mechanism of perceived social support and the separate mediating roles of perceived family support, perceived friend support, and perceived significant other support.

Trajectories of parental harshness and exposure to community violence differentially predict externalizing and internalizing mental health problems in legal system-involved youth

Youth with legal system involvement are especially likely to experience parental harshness (PH) and exposure to community violence (ETV), two common forms of life stress. However, most studies examine these stressors separately or collapse across them in ways that preclude examination of their co-occurrence. Consequently, it is unclear 1) how PH and ETV simultaneously fluctuate across development and 2) how these fluctuations predict future mental health problems in legal system-involved youth. We used group-based multi-trajectory modeling to estimate simultaneous trajectories of PH and ETV in 1027 legal system-involved youth and regression analyses to understand how trajectory membership predicted mental health problems three years later. Four trajectories of co-occurrence were identified (1: Low; 2: Moderate and Decreasing; 3: Moderate PH/High ETV; 4: High PH/Moderate ETV). Compared to the Low trajectory, all trajectories with PH/ETV elevations predicted violent crime and substance problems; trajectory 3 (Moderate PH/High ETV) predicted nonviolent crime and depression/anxiety symptoms; trajectory 4 (High PH/Moderate ETV) predicted depression diagnosis. These results elucidate how PH and ETV typically co-occur across adolescence for legal system-involved youth. They also reveal important commonalities and dissociations among types of mental health problems.

The neurobiological effects of childhood maltreatment on brain structure, function, and attachment

Childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for psychopathologies, and influences brain development at specific periods, particularly during early childhood and adolescence. This narrative review addresses phenotypic alterations in sensory systems associated with specific types of childhood maltreatment exposure, periods of vulnerability to the neurobiological effects of maltreatment, and the relationships between childhood maltreatment and brain structure, function, connectivity, and network architecture; psychopathology; and resilience. It also addresses neurobiological alterations associated with maternal communication and attachment disturbances, and uses laboratory-based measures during infancy and case-control studies to elucidate neurobiological alterations in reactive attachment disorders in children with maltreatment histories. Moreover, we review studies on the acute effects of oxytocin on reactive attachment disorder and maltreatment and methylation of oxytocin regulatory genes. Epigenetic changes may play a critical role in initiating or producing the atypical structural and functional brain alterations associated with childhood maltreatment. However, these changes could be reversed through psychological and pharmacological interventions, and by anticipating or preventing the emergence of brain alterations and subsequent psychopathological risks.

Influential factors of depression: The impact of harsh parenting, school support, and rumination

Building on Beck's cognitive model of depression, this study examined the link between harsh parenting and adolescent depression via rumination. In addition, this study examined the moderating effect of school support. A survey of 4991 high school students in China was conducted utilizing the Harsh Parenting Scale, Rumination Responses Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The results of this study unveiled a positive association between harsh parenting and adolescent depression. Furthermore, it was observed that rumination partially mediated the relationship between harsh parenting and adolescent depression. Notably, the results indicated that school support exerted a negative regulatory influence on the latter part of the mediation model, demonstrating that higher levels of school support effectively mitigated the adverse impact of rumination on depression. These findings highlight the crucial role of interventions targeted at reducing harsh parenting practices and bolstering school support in mitigating adolescent depression. By addressing these factors, we can make noteworthy progress in promoting the overall well-being and mental health of adolescents.

Psychometric properties of the parenting belief scale in a multi-country sample of parents from high-income countries

BACKGROUND

Parents' beliefs about how private/public their parenting role is and their acceptability of the use of corporal punishment as a disciplinary measure have been associated with how parents raise their children and their willingness to seek support. However, there are no reliable and valid instruments measuring these beliefs.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Parenting Belief Scale, a self-reported brief measure targeting parents' perception of parenting as a private concern and their attitudes towards the use of corporal punishment.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Participants were 6949 parents from several high-income countries (i.e., Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, and the UK) who completed the International Parenting Survey, an online cross-sectional survey focused on parents' self-report of their parenting, children, and family.

METHODS

This study evaluated the internal consistency, factor structure (i.e., exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses), and convergent and discriminant validity of the Parenting Belief Scale.

RESULTS

Findings indicated that this scale was a relatively reliable measure to evaluate parents' perceived privacy in their role and acceptability of corporal punishment. A two-factor structure was confirmed by both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Correlations with scales of parenting practices supported the convergent and discriminant validity of the Parenting Belief Scale.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supported the use of the Parenting Belief Scale across high-income countries to evaluate parenting beliefs in influencing parenting practices and parents' help-seeking behaviours.

Maltreatment, harsh parenting, and parent-adolescent relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted multiple aspects of family life, including normative tendencies for adolescents to establish independence from the family. This disruption has had profound, but variable impacts on parent-adolescent relationships, strengthening them in some circumstances and increasing the risk for harsh parenting and maltreatment in others. Factors that moderated this influence include a family's financial situation and pandemic-related job loss, pre-existing characteristics of the parent-child relationship, and parent and adolescent mental health. Further research is needed to examine the mechanisms through which the pandemic continues to influence parent-adolescent relationships, with attention to policy-related impacts.

Child Anxiety and Depression Symptom Trajectories and Predictors over 15 Months of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Repeated measures are required to monitor and map trajectories of mental health symptoms that are sensitive to the changing distal and proximal stressors throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Understanding symptoms in young children is particularly important given the short- and long-term implications of early-onset internalizing symptoms. This study utilized an intensive longitudinal approach to assess the course and environmental correlates of anxiety and depression symptoms in 133 children, ages 4-11 (Mage = 7.35, SD = 1.03), in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers completed 48 repeated assessments from April 7, 2020, to June 15, 2021, on child and caregiver mental health symptoms, family functioning, and COVID-19-related environmental changes. Results from a series of multilevel growth models demonstrate that child depression symptoms were highest following initial stay-at-home orders (April 2020) and linearly decreased over time, while child anxiety symptoms were variable over the 15-month period. Caregiver depression symptoms and family conflict significantly predicted levels of child depression symptoms. In contrast, caregiver depression symptoms, caregiver anxiety symptoms, and time spent home quarantining significantly predicted levels of child anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that depression and anxiety symptoms in young children may have unique trajectories over the course of the coronavirus pandemic and highlight symptom-specific risk factors for each symptom.

Development and Validation of the Multidimensional Psychosocial Risk Screen (MPRS): An Approach towards Primary Prevention

Background:

The prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents has been identified as a global concern. Early screening and identification can offer benefits in terms of primary prevention and reduced healthcare costs. This study aimed to develop a tool to assess the risk of developing mental health problems in adolescents.

Methods:

The study followed an exploratory sequential design and was divided into five phases. The Multidimensional Psychosocial Risk Screen (MPRS) is a newly developed self-report measure. The various steps in its development and validation have been elaborated. The MPRS was evaluated with a sample of 934 adolescents aged 12-18, spread across the 8th-12th grade.

Results:

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a robust factor structure. The extracted five factors were named as Parent–Child Relationship (PCR), Self-Concept (SC), Teacher–Student Dynamics (TSD), Social Media Use (SMU), and Peer Interaction (PI). The reliability of the subscales ranged from 0.60 to 0.80. The overall reliability of the scale was good (a = 0.87). Convergent validity of the scale was established using standard measures of risk factors and emotional and behavioural problems.

Conclusions:

The MPRS can be considered an effective tool with an adequate factor structure and good psychometric properties. It can be beneficial in the early detection of vulnerabilities to mental health problems in adolescents and, therefore, seen as a key element in primary prevention and fostering individualized interventions.

Effect of frequency of parent to child maltreatment on symptoms of anxiety disorder in Pakistani adolescents: A community based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between Parent to Child Maltreatment and the occurrence of anxiety disorder symptoms among Pakistani adolescents under 18 years.

METHOD

A prospective study was conducted to examine the effect of frequency of Parent to child maltreatment (PTC) on the occurrence of anxiety disorders in a community setting. A sample of 800 adolescents who reported none to rare, occasional, and frequent were followed for the occurrence of anxiety disorder symptoms over two years. PTC was evaluated using ICAST-C (International child abuse screening tool). Anxiety disorder symptoms were evaluated using the SCARED (Screen for children anxiety-related disorders) tool. Risk ratios were estimated using Cox Proportional Algorithm.

RESULTS

The risk of occurrence of anxiety disorder symptoms in adolescents who have exposure to frequent PTC is 3.8 times (2.9, 4.9) as compared to those with none to rare exposure to PTC. Among adolescents suffering frequent PTC whose, mothers also reported a history of domestic violence, the risk of anxiety disorder symptoms is 3 times (2.2, 4.1) higher. Female gender (RR 1.5; 1.2-1.9), stressful home environment (RR 1.4; 1.1-1.8), and parental substance abuse (RR 1.6; 1.2-2.0) are significant predictors of anxiety disorder symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Frequent PTC is significantly associated with the occurrence of anxiety disorder symptoms among Pakistani adolescents. Given these findings, there is a dire need to develop specific interventions to address anxiety disorder symptoms among adolescents and to develop programs to prevent parent to child maltreatment.

Device-measured sleep onset and duration in the development of depressive symptoms in adolescence

BACKGROUND

Sleep deprivation in adolescence is increasing in prevalence and may be linked to subsequent depression. Findings regarding associations between sleep duration, sleep onset time, and the development of depressive symptoms over time in adolescents are mixed, and rely on subjective measures of sleep.

METHODS

Sleep onset and duration were assessed using a combined heart rate monitor and accelerometer and self-report in 688 participants from the ROOTS study at age 15. Participants reported depressive symptoms at ages 14.5, 16, and 17.5, using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Latent growth curve modelling was used to model development of depressive symptoms and test associations with baseline sleep onset and duration.

RESULTS

Cross-sectionally, falling asleep later and shorter sleep duration were both associated with higher depressive symptoms in males and females, using both device-measured and self-reported sleep. There were no longitudinal associations between baseline sleep duration and change in depressive symptoms. A later sleep onset-time was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms over time, in females only, using device-measured sleep only.

LIMITATIONS

The current sample was more economically advantaged and ethnically white than the UK average, and with lower MFQ symptoms than the original cohort, which may reduce generalisability.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents who fall asleep later or sleep less have higher levels of depressive symptoms cross-sectionally, but do not show increases in depressive symptoms over time. Interventions targeting sleep onset and duration in adolescence may improve mental health in the short-term but the possibility of reverse causality should be explored further.

Children's behavioral problems, screen time, and sleep problems' association with negative and positive parenting strategies during the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil

Families' health, safety, and economic stability were jeopardized during the pandemic. Parental stress is a risk factor for hostile and less supportive parenting. Parenting styles are a set of attitudes, feelings and behaviors related to parenting that modulate the child's psychosocial functioning and might impact on the adaptability to a stressful time.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the group differences among children raised by negative and positive parenting families during COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We have done an online survey with 329 parents. Parents answer about parenting strategies and styles, children's behavior, Covid related questions, socio-economic information, sleep and gaming disorders.

RESULTS

Parents' frequent use of negative strategies were a risk factor to have a negative outcome related to mental health, games, sleep, and children behavior.

DISCUSSION

Parenting strategies are some targets pointed in this study for intervention. Parents' styles and strategies training to better manage children might be even more important to avoid negative consequences for children in stressful times.

The association between child maltreatment and sleep disturbances among preschoolers

BACKGROUND

Child maltreatment (CM) can result in lifelong detrimental consequences, but its association with sleep disturbances in young children remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association of CM with sleep disturbances and short sleep duration among Chinese preschoolers.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Data were from a representative sample of 17,023 children (6.17 ± 0.29 years old, 51.96% boys) at their graduation year of preschool in September 2019, as a subset of the Shanghai Children's Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation-Preschool (SCHEDULE-P) study.

METHODS

Parents reported children's CM of different types and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of sleep disturbances and short sleep duration linked to CM.

RESULTS

Of the children, 12,583(73.92%) demonstrated sleep disturbances (CSHQ total score > 41) and 3017(17.72%) demonstrated short sleep duration (<9 h/night). After adjusting covariates, physical abuse (aOR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.05-1.28) and emotional abuse (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.39-1.62) were associated with global sleep disturbances. Physical abuse (aOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.06-1.28), physical neglect (aOR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.12-1.49), and emotional abuse (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09-1.30) were associated with short sleep duration. Sexual abuse was not significantly associated with global sleep disturbances or short sleep duration. A cumulative association was noted that more CM types were associated with increased global sleep disturbances and short sleep duration.

CONCLUSIONS

CM is associated with sleep disturbances and short sleep duration in young children. This highlights the efforts to prevent and reduce CM in favor of optimal sleep and whole health in young children.

The nexus of family environment with youth street criminal behavior in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

This empirical work focuses on the impact of unsupportive and harsh family practices on youth criminal behaviour. The present study hypothesizes that the harsh practices and low support of a family are the contributing factors for street crimes and that family practices increase the intensity of youth street criminality, particularly in a Pakistani society. While studying youth delinquent behaviour in a Pakistani society, this study employs general strain theory (GST), which has not been employed in any research in Pakistan till date. Thus, the authors examined the variables of the study from the view point of general strain theory (GST). A diverse sample size of 300 street criminals, housed in different jails of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) was selected randomly. However, from each jail, the sample respondents were selected through proportion allocation strategy. Moreover, primary data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed through a series of steps, which involved exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structure equation modeling (SEM). These analyses helped in determining the relationship between family harsh practices, and low family support, with youth participation in street crimes. Findings of this study offer evidence that family harsh practices and low family support directly trigger youth participation in street crimes. The present study does not only confirm the hypothetical statement of GST regarding positive and negative stimuli but also add up the significant contribution in the existing literature from the context of Pakistani society. Initiating awareness programs and sessions regarding different parental skills by sociologist and psychologist on community level, as well as the need for the sociologists and psychologist to provide assistance while addressing psychological issues of offenders are some of the recommendations based on the study findings.

All in the family: parental substance misuse, harsh parenting, and youth substance misuse among juvenile justice-involved youth

PURPOSE

Research consistently connects parental and youth substance misuse, yet less is known about the mechanisms driving this association among justice-involved youth. We examine whether harsh parenting is an explanatory mechanism for the association between parental substance use and parental mental health and youth substance use disorder in a sample of justice-involved youth.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the Northwestern Juvenile Project, a large-scale longitudinal survey of mental health and substance misuse in a representative sample of youth in juvenile detention. Harsh parenting, child maltreatment, youth alcohol and cannabis use disorder, and parental substance misuse and mental health were assessed among 1,825 detained youth (35.95% female) at baseline, three-year follow-up, and four-year follow-up.

RESULTS

At baseline, over 80% of youth used alcohol and/or cannabis; at the four-year follow-up, 16.35% and 19.69% of the youth were diagnosed with alcohol and cannabis use disorder, respectively. More than 20% of youth reported their parent misused substances and 6.11% reported a parent had a severe mental health need. Black youth experienced significantly fewer types of harsh parenting compared to White youth. Multivariate path analyses revealed harsh parenting mediated the association between parental substance misuse and mental health on youth alcohol and cannabis use disorder. Harsh parenting that does not rise to the level of child maltreatment mediated the association between parental substance misuse and mental health on youth alcohol use disorder; in contrast, child maltreatment did not mediate these associations. Multigroup analyses revealed the effect of harsh parenting on youth alcohol and cannabis use disorder did not vary across sex or race-ethnic subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Harsh parenting represents one mechanism for the intergenerational continuity of alcohol and cannabis misuse and should be regularly assessed for and addressed in juvenile justice settings.

Longitudinal association between parental-to-child-Maltreatment and self-reported Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms in Pakistani Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Parent-to-child maltreatment is considered one of the risk factors for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms, but this hypothesis has not been adequately tested in Pakistani settings.

AIM

This study aimed to examine the association between parent-to-child maltreatment and the risk of developing GAD symptoms among adolescents.

METHODS

The association of none to rare, occasionally, and frequently parent-to-child maltreatment with the incidence of GAD symptoms was investigated in a sample of 800 adolescents aged 11-17 years who were followed for two years. Parent-to-child maltreatment was assessed using ICAST-C (International child abuse screening tool). GAD Symptoms were determined by SCARED (Screen for children anxiety-related disorders). Cox Proportional Algorithm was used to estimate risk ratios.

RESULTS

Among children with both uneducated parents, frequently maltreatment was associated with 7.31 (2.20-24.04) times the risk of GAD symptoms compared to none to rare maltreatment. In contrast, the risk of GAD symptoms in frequently maltreated children was 5.58 times (1.40-21.97) than negligibly maltreated children with either educated parent.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of parent-to-child maltreatment is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing GAD symptoms in which parental education plays a crucial role. Parents should be imparted with the awareness of the consequences of child maltreatment. In Pakistani settings the need to have this awareness is even more necessary due to the culturally acceptable disciplinary measures used by parents.

Pathways to Adolescent Emotional and Behavioral Problems: An Examination of Maternal Depression and Harsh Parenting

BACKGROUND

Maternal depression is linked with a range of child and adolescent outcomes. Prior research suggests adverse consequences for child and youth development, but less is known about the role of adverse parenting in the pathways from maternal depression to adolescent emotional and behavioral problems.

OBJECTIVE

The present study leveraged a large, longitudinal survey of families across the U.S. to investigate whether harsh parenting mediated the links between maternal depression and adolescent delinquency and depression.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Data came from a national longitudinal survey of families with children born in large U.S. cities 1998-2000 in which mothers had at least partial custody of children (N = 2,719).

METHODS

Structural equation modeling with latent variables estimated a measurement model using confirmatory factor analysis and a structural model testing direct and indirect pathways.

RESULTS

Maternal depression was directly associated with both physical and psychological aggression in parenting (β = 0.08, p < 0.001 and β = 0.12, p < 0.001, respectively), and psychological aggression related directly with adolescent delinquency (β = 0.24, p < 0.01). Furthermore, maternal depression was indirectly associated with adolescent delinquency via psychological aggression in parenting (β = 0.03, p < 0.05). Physical aggression in parenting did not mediate links between maternal depression and either adolescent outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide insights into the parent-level drivers of adolescent emotional and behavioral outcomes. Screening for maternal depression and providing parenting support to vulnerable families offers promise for preventing adverse parenting and supporting healthy adolescent development.

ADHD and Exposure to Maltreatment in Children and Youth: a Systematic Review of the Past 10 Years

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

The purpose of the current paper was to review and summarize the literature on ADHD and maltreatment over the past 10 years.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of research on ADHD and exposure to maltreatment focuses on the high rates of comorbidity, including international studies from Asia, South America, North America, and Europe. Longitudinal studies showed that early exposure to maltreatment is a risk factor for ADHD symptoms later in development; however, this finding was not consistent. There were some preliminary studies on the neurological and genetic mechanisms underlying the link between ADHD and exposure to maltreatment. Finally, ADHD and exposure to maltreatment were found to have an additive effect on clinically salient outcomes (e.g., aggression, suicide attempts). Results from the review have direct clinical and future implications, including the need to understand the effect of comorbid ADHD and exposure to maltreatment in treatment studies.

Sluggish cognitive tempo and exposure to interpersonal trauma in children

Background: Childhood adversity has been suggested, but not yet empirically examined, as a factor in sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) in childhood.Objective: This study was an examination of SCT in relation to childhood adversity, and its association with exposure to non-interpersonal and interpersonal trauma.Method: Caregivers (N = 161) and a sub-sample of children, 8-17 years old, were recruited from mental health and pediatric practices/programs and interviewed.Results: SCT was positively associated with interpersonal trauma but not non-interpersonal trauma. Two hierarchical regression analyses revealed that interpersonal trauma exposure was associated with SCT score over and above symptoms of other psychopathologies.Conclusion: Results suggest that SCT is associated with interpersonal trauma exposure in children. Further research is needed to examine the association between SCT and interpersonal trauma exposure, and trauma-related biopsychosocial impairments.