1
|
Hautle LL, Kurath J, Jellestad L, Lüönd AM, Wingenbach TSH, Jansson B, Pfaltz MC. Larger comfortable interpersonal distances in adults exposed to child maltreatment: The role of depressive symptoms and social anxiety. Br J Psychol 2024. [PMID: 38651545 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies report a preference for larger comfortable interpersonal distance (CIPD) in individuals with child maltreatment (CM) when being approached by others. Yet, research on approaching others, as opposed to being approached, as well as on potential effects of social anxiety and depression is lacking. We investigated if CM and depressive symptoms influence CIPD and if social anxiety mediates the possible association of CM and CIPD when approaching a female stranger. One hundred ten participants with CM (CM) and 58 participants without CM (non-CM) experiences performed the stop-distance paradigm and stopped first when feeling uncomfortable (D1) and again when feeling very uncomfortable (D2). CM experiences were associated with a preference for larger CIPD, independent of depressive symptoms. All CM subtypes were associated with a larger D2. The relationship between CM and CIPD was partially mediated by social anxiety. These novel findings can help to develop interventions strengthening socially relevant skills and processes in those affected by CM, targeting alterations in social anxiety and depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara-Lynn Hautle
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Kurath
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Jellestad
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Antonia M Lüönd
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja S H Wingenbach
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Billy Jansson
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Monique C Pfaltz
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stevens L, Bregulla M, Scheele D. Out of touch? How trauma shapes the experience of social touch - Neural and endocrine pathways. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105595. [PMID: 38373642 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Trauma can shape the way an individual experiences the world and interacts with other people. Touch is a key component of social interactions, but surprisingly little is known about how trauma exposure influences the processing of social touch. In this review, we examine possible neurobiological pathways through which trauma can influence touch processing and lead to touch aversion and avoidance in trauma-exposed individuals. Emerging evidence indicates that trauma may affect sensory touch thresholds by modulating activity in the primary sensory cortex and posterior insula. Disturbances in multisensory integration and oxytocin reactivity combined with diminished reward-related and anxiolytic responses may induce a bias towards negative appraisal of touch contexts. Furthermore, hippocampus deactivation during social touch may reflect a dissociative state. These changes depend not only on the type and severity of the trauma but also on the features of the touch. We hypothesise that disrupted touch processing may impair social interactions and confer elevated risk for future stress-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Stevens
- Social Neuroscience, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany; Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Madeleine Bregulla
- Social Neuroscience, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany; Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Scheele
- Social Neuroscience, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany; Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nejati V, Mardanpour A, Zabihzaheh A, Estaji R, Vaziri ZS, Shahidi S. The role of prefrontal cortex and temporoparietal junction in interpersonal comfort and emotional approach. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21636. [PMID: 38062055 PMCID: PMC10703804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48099-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Our perception of physical distance to individuals and stimuli is influenced by our mental distance and relatedness. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) in interpersonal comfortable distance and approach behaviors towards emotional stimuli. Twenty healthy volunteers received brain stimulation in four separate sessions with a one-week interval, including anodal left dlPFC, anodal right vmPFC, anodal rTPJ, and sham condition, with an extracranial return electrode. Our results revealed an increase in interpersonal distance during anodal rTPJ stimulation and a decrease in distance to positive pictures during anodal vmPFC stimulation. These findings suggest that the rTPJ plays a role in the perceptual component of self-other distancing, while the vmPFC is involved in approaching positive emotions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Nejati
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Aylin Mardanpour
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Zabihzaheh
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Estaji
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra S Vaziri
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriar Shahidi
- Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Schmitz SE, Niedtfeld I, Lane SP, Seitz KI, Hepp J. Negative affect provides a context for increased distrust in the daily lives of individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:808-819. [PMID: 37437133 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Evidence on individuals affected by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childhood maltreatment (CM) supports cognitive models suggesting that trauma engenders distrust and interpersonal threat sensitivity. We examined the associations between CM and both distrust and interpersonal threat sensitivity in daily life and investigated whether momentary negative affect (NA) provides a context that strengthens this association. Hypotheses were based on cognitive models of trauma and the feelings-as-information theory. In a 7-day ambulatory assessment study with six semirandom daily prompts (2,295 total), we measured self-reported momentary NA and assessed behavioral trust as well as interpersonal threat sensitivity via facial emotion ratings with two novel experimental paradigms in 61 participants with varying levels of CM (45,900 total trials). As hypothesized, NA was associated with increased momentary distrust, β = .03, p = .002, and interpersonal threat sensitivity, β = -.01, p = .021. Higher levels of CM were associated with more negative emotion ratings, independent of affective context, β = -.07, p = .003. Momentary behavioral distrust was associated with CM at high levels of momentary NA, β = .02, p = .027. The findings for both tasks support the feelings-as-information theory and suggest that cognitive alterations surrounding distrust and interpersonal threat, which were originally proposed for PTSD, likely also affect individuals with a history of CM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Schmitz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Inga Niedtfeld
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Sean P Lane
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Missouri, USA
| | - Katja I Seitz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Johanna Hepp
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hautle LL, Kurath J, Jellestad L, Lüönd AM, Wingenbach TSH, Frühholz S, Jansson B, Niedtfeld I, Pfaltz MC. Individuals with and without child maltreatment experiences are evaluated similarly and do not differ in facial affect display at zero- and first-acquaintance. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2023; 10:17. [PMID: 37210564 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-023-00222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with a history of child maltreatment (CM) are more often disliked, rejected and victimized compared to individuals without such experiences. However, contributing factors for these negative evaluations are so far unknown. OBJECTIVE Based on previous research on adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD), this preregistered study assessed whether negative evaluations of adults with CM experiences, in comparison to unexposed controls, are mediated by more negative and less positive facial affect display. Additionally, it was explored whether level of depression, severity of CM, social anxiety, social support, and rejection sensitivity have an influence on ratings. METHODS Forty adults with CM experiences (CM +) and 40 non-maltreated (CM-) adults were filmed for measurement of affect display and rated in likeability, trustworthiness, and cooperativeness by 100 independent raters after zero-acquaintance (no interaction) and 17 raters after first-acquaintance (short conversation). RESULTS The CM + and the CM- group were neither evaluated significantly different, nor showed significant differences in affect display. Contrasting previous research, higher levels of BPD symptoms predicted higher likeability ratings (p = .046), while complex post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms had no influence on ratings. CONCLUSIONS The non-significant effects could be attributed to an insufficient number of participants, as our sample size allowed us to detect effects with medium effect sizes (f2 = .16 for evaluation; f2 = .17 for affect display) with a power of .95. Moreover, aspects such as the presence of mental disorders (e.g., BPD or post-traumatic stress disorder), might have a stronger impact than CM per se. Future research should thus further explore conditions (e.g., presence of specific mental disorders) under which individuals with CM are affected by negative evaluations as well as factors that contribute to negative evaluations and problems in social relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara-Lynn Hautle
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Kurath
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lena Jellestad
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonia M Lüönd
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tanja S H Wingenbach
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Sascha Frühholz
- Department of Psychology, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Billy Jansson
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
| | - Inga Niedtfeld
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim at, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Monique C Pfaltz
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fares-Otero NE, De Prisco M, Oliva V, Radua J, Halligan SL, Vieta E, Martinez-Aran A. Association between childhood maltreatment and social functioning in individuals with affective disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2023. [PMID: 37105552 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood maltreatment has been linked to impairments in social functioning and social cognition in adults with affective disorders. However, conclusions have been limited by inconsistent findings across different maltreatment subtypes and social domains. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify associations between childhood maltreatment (overall and subtypes - physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, and/or physical and/or emotional neglect) and different domains of social functioning and social cognition in adults with affective disorders (bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder). We also examined effect moderators and mediators of these associations. METHODS A systematic search was performed on 12.12.2022 which identified 29 studies included in qualitative synthesis (n = 3022 individuals with affective disorders), of which 27 (n = 2957) were pooled in meta-analyses. Across studies, five social functioning and five social cognition domains were examined, of which four domains of social functioning and two domains of social cognition had sufficient data for meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42022288976). RESULTS Social functioning: childhood maltreatment was associated with lower global social functioning (r = -0.11 to -0.20), poorer interpersonal relations (r = -0.18 to -0.33), and with aggressive behaviour (r = 0.20-0.29) but was unrelated to vocational functioning. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect showed the largest magnitudes of effect. Social cognition: there was no meta-analytic evidence of associations between maltreatment and social cognition domains. Exploratory moderation analyses did not identify any consistent moderators. Narrative synthesis identified attachment style as possible moderator, and sensory patterns, anxiety, and depressive symptoms as possible mediators between childhood maltreatment and social outcomes. Overall, the available evidence was limited, particularly in relation to social cognition. CONCLUSIONS Adults with affective disorders are at risk of social functioning difficulties after childhood maltreatment exposure, an effect observed across multiple maltreatment subtypes, social functioning domains, and diagnoses. Addressing social functioning problems may benefit maltreated adults with both bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia E Fares-Otero
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neurosciences (ICN), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Michele De Prisco
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neurosciences (ICN), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Oliva
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neurosciences (ICN), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Joaquim Radua
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neurosciences (ICN), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah L Halligan
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neurosciences (ICN), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anabel Martinez-Aran
- Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic, Institute of Neurosciences (ICN), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Network Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|