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Meneses Meneses AY, Fernandez-Gonzalo S, Jodar Vicente M. Clinical Neuropsychological Profile and Quality of Life in Women Who Have Suffered Gender-Based Violence. WOMEN'S HEALTH REPORTS (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2023; 4:448-460. [PMID: 37645587 PMCID: PMC10460961 DOI: 10.1089/whr.2023.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Background This research characterizes the clinical and neuropsychological profiles and the quality of life in a group of Ecuadorian women who suffered physical violence, psychological violence, or sexual violence, exploring their relationships with sociodemographic factors. Methods A battery of tests were used to explore the clinical and neuropsychological functions and quality of life in 120 participants who were selected from a population affected by violence. Results Sixty percent of the participants showed clinical anxiety, 26.7% clinical depression, 40% post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, 15% moderate personality disorder, and 51.7% a low quality-of-life index. Their Z-scores in the neuropsychological domains evaluated were verbal memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test = -1.35), working memory (Digits = -1.67), attention (D2 = -1.24), processing speed (Coding = -1.33; Trail Making Test A = 1.81), and executive function (Trail Making Test B = -1.15; Stroop = -0.20; verbal-semantic fluency test = 0.05; verbal fluency test = -1.23). Conclusions The majority of women who suffered gender-based violence presented clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic symptoms. The cognitive functions with lower scores (Z < -1.5) were working memory and processing speed, mediated by education factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Yakeline Meneses Meneses
- Arts and Humanities Area, Psychology, Israel Technological University of Ecuador, Ecuador
- Department of Psychology, Health District 17D10, Cayambe - Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sol Fernandez-Gonzalo
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Parc Tauli-I3PT, Sabadell, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercè Jodar Vicente
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Parc Tauli-I3PT, Sabadell, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario Parc Tauli, Sabadell, Spain
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Figueira JR, Lara LAS, Andrade MC, Rosa-E-Silva ACJDS. Comparison of Sexual Dysfunction in Women Who Were or Were Not Victims of Sexual Violence. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2021; 47:621-630. [PMID: 34039255 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2021.1930309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The victims of sexual violence may develop FSD. This retrospective study examined the characteristics of women victims of sexual abuse who had FSD who attended a tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2017. Patients were divided in two groups: women who were victims of sexual violence and women who were not victims (controls). One thousand and ten women (60.4%) presented with FSD and 610 of them were eligible for inclusion, 134 (21.97%) reported they were victims of sexual violence, and the abuser was mostly someone close to the victim (92.31%). Depression was more prevalent in the women who were victims (32.1% vs. 18.3%; p<0.05), 74.0% vs. 59.8% had hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) (p<0.05), 20.3% of victims vs. 7.19% of controls (p<0.05) had primary anorgasmia, and 51.15% of the victims and 39.61% of controls reported anorgasmia. The victims reported a lower sex drive (39.6% vs. 52.3%), and reduced arousal (48.8% vs. 61.3%; all p<0.05). More of the victims than controls reported that their partners had engaged in an extramarital relationship (19.0% vs. 9.25%, p<0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana R Figueira
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, São Paulo University, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucia A S Lara
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, São Paulo University, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maíra C Andrade
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, São Paulo University, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Narvaez JCDM, Remy L, Bermudez MB, Scherer JN, Ornell F, Surratt H, Kurtz SP, Pechansky F. Re-traumatization Cycle: Sexual Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Club Drug Users. Subst Use Misuse 2019; 54:1499-1508. [PMID: 31020892 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2019.1589521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Club drug users are high risk and vulnerable population for adverse drug-related consequences and sexual risk behaviors. Few investigations have addressed the possible interrelationship between early trauma and PTSD among young club drug using populations. Objective: Exposure to traumatic experiences - especially in childhood, has been linked to risk behaviors exposure and substance use disorder. This study aimed to assess and compare drug use patterns and the presence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiences among ecstasy and LSD users with and without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Method: This cross-sectional study employed targeted sampling and ethnographic mapping approaches via face-to-face interviews conducted at bars and electronic music festivals. The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs questionnaire was used as the primary assessment instrument. Participants were from 18 to 39 years of age, had used ecstasy and/or LSD in the 90 days prior to the interview, and were not in treatment for alcohol and other drug problems. Results: Out of the 240 participants, 123 (51.2%) presented PTSD symptoms. Those presenting PTSD were younger, less educated, with lower income, and presented higher drug use severity than those without PTSD symptoms. Moreover, a higher prevalence of sexual risk behavior was verified among those with PTSD. There was an association between PTSD symptoms and CSA history, where 64.2% of individuals with PTSD also presented CSA, compared to 47% among those without PTSD (p = .028). Individuals with co-occurring history of CSA and PTSD symptoms reported earlier use of ecstasy, LSD, and cocaine compared to individuals with a history of CSA but without PTSD. Conclusions: In the present study, participants with a history of PTSD demonstrate a history of CSA, as well as pronounced severity in several areas - precocity of use, severity of addiction, and greater exposure to situations of sexual risk. Thus, a cycle of traumatization may be established through early potential trauma, which can remain unprocessed and contribute to earlier and more severe substance use and sexual risk behaviors. Identification of PTSD symptoms and risk for HIV and other STIs among young club drug users is critical to address focused treatment approaches for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Corrêa de Magalhães Narvaez
- a Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Lysa Remy
- a Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Mariane Bagatin Bermudez
- a Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Juliana Nichterwitz Scherer
- a Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Felipe Ornell
- a Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Hilary Surratt
- b Center for Health Services Research , University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA
| | - Steven P Kurtz
- c Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities (ARSH) , Nova Southeastern University , Miami , Florida , USA
| | - Flavio Pechansky
- a Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) , Porto Alegre , Brazil
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Bae SM, Kang JM, Chang HY, Han W, Lee SH. PTSD correlates with somatization in sexually abused children: Type of abuse moderates the effect of PTSD on somatization. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199138. [PMID: 29927990 PMCID: PMC6013160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Somatization is a major post-traumatic symptom in sexually abused children. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and somatization, and between intelligence and somatization in child sexual abuse victims and to elucidate whether type of abuse had an effect on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and somatization. Methods This study evaluated the somatizations (Child Behavioral Checklist/6–18 [CBCL]), PTSD symptoms (Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC]), and intelligence levels of 63 sexually abused children. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to predict somatization based on PTSD symptoms, intelligence, age, and type of sexual abuse, and to find moderating effect of type of abuse on the effect of PTSD symptom on somatization. Results PTSD symptoms (β = 0.471, p = 0.001) and intelligence (β = 0.327, p = 0.021) were associated with somatization. Type of abuse was not, by itself, correlated with somatization (β = 0.158, p = 0.281), but it did have a moderating effect on the effect of PTSD symptoms on somatization (Type of abuse*PTSD symptoms, β = -0.299, p = 0.047). PTSD symptoms were associated with somatization only among those who experienced the molestation type of abuse. Conclusions Somatization in sexually abused children was influenced by the severity of PTSD symptoms and intelligence, and the effect of the PTSD symptoms on somatization was moderated by type of abuse. Specifically, the rape type of abuse may attenuate the effect of post-traumatic symptoms on somatization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Min Bae
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Sunflower Children’s Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Myeong Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Sunflower Children’s Center, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Yoon Chang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Woori Han
- Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hee Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, National Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Shors TJ, Chang HYM, Millon EM. MAP Training My Brain™: Meditation Plus Aerobic Exercise Lessens Trauma of Sexual Violence More Than Either Activity Alone. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:211. [PMID: 29740264 PMCID: PMC5924799 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual violence against women often leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental illness characterized by intrusive thoughts and memories about the traumatic event (Shors and Millon, 2016). These mental processes are obviously generated by the brain but often felt in the body. MAP Training My Brain™ is a novel clinical intervention that combines mental training of the brain with physical training of the body (Curlik and Shors, 2013; Shors et al., 2014). Each training session begins with 20-min of sitting meditation, followed by 10-min of slow-walking meditation, and ending with 30-min of aerobic exercise at 60-80% of the maximum heart rate (see maptrainmybrain.com). In previous studies, the combination of mental and physical (MAP) training together significantly reduced symptoms of depression and ruminative thoughts, while reducing anxiety (Shors et al., 2014, 2017; Alderman et al., 2016). We also documented positive changes in brain activity during cognitive control and whole-body oxygen consumption in various populations. In the present pilot study, we asked whether the combination of meditation and aerobic exercise during MAP Training would reduce trauma-related thoughts, ruminations, and memories in women and if so, whether the combination would be more effective than either activity alone. To test this hypothesis, interventions were provided to a group of women (n = 105), many of whom had a history of sexual violence (n = 32). Groups were trained with (1) MAP Training, (2) meditation alone, (3) aerobic exercise alone, or (4) not trained. Individuals in training groups completed two sessions a week for at least 6 weeks. MAP Training My Brain™ significantly reduced post-traumatic cognitions and ruminative thoughts in women with a history of sexual violence, whereas meditation alone, and exercise alone did not. MAP Training significantly enhanced a measure of self-worth, whereas meditation and exercise alone did not. Similar positive effects were observed for all participants, although meditation alone was also effective in reducing trauma-related thoughts. Overall, these data indicate the combination of meditation and exercise is synergistic. As a consequence, MAP Training is preferable and especially so for women who have experienced sexual violence in their past. Simply put, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey J Shors
- Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Han Y M Chang
- Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Emma M Millon
- Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
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