Childhood maltreatment and risk of intimate partner violence: A national study

ObjectivePrior research indicates that different types of childhood maltreatment frequently co-occur and confer risk for adulthood intimate partner violence (IPV). However, it is unknown whether the risk of IPV is due to specific type(s) of maltreatment or to their shared association or both. Although these competing explanations have different implications for intervention, they have never been evaluated empirically.MethodData were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 34,653 US adults, the 2004–2005 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Structural equation modeling was used to simultaneously examine the shared and specific effects of five types of childhood maltreatment (i.e., sexual abuse, physical and emotional abuse and neglect) on the risk of different IPV behaviors (i.e., perpetration, victimization and reciprocal violence). Analyses were stratified by sex and adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, personal income, educational background and race/ethnicity).ResultsMost types of childhood maltreatment increased the risk of victimization, perpetration and reciprocal violence. Effects of maltreatment types on each IPV behavior were exerted mostly through a latent factor representing the shared effect across all different types of maltreatment in both sexes (CFI = 0.990, TLI = 0.990, RMSEA = 0.023), although sexual abuse had an additional effect on victimization.ConclusionsBecause childhood maltreatment types increase the risk of each intimate partner violence behavior mainly through a general maltreatment dimension, underlying biological and developmental-ecological mechanisms should be considered important targets of prevention for both victimization and perpetration of abuse in adult relationships.     

Psychometric functioning,socio‐demographic variability of childhood maltreatment in the general population and its effects of depression

Maltreatment of children is a major public‐health and social‐welfare problem but socio‐demographic variability has received little attention. This work addresses such variability in a general population cohort and associations with depression. Analyses were based on the cross‐sectional SHIP‐LEGEND examination among 2265 adults (29–89 years). Childhood maltreatment was multi‐dimensionally assessed with the German 28‐item Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ): emotional neglect; emotional abuse; physical neglect; physical abuse; sexual abuse. Non‐linear associations between CTQ responses and age were assessed with fractional polynomials and cubic splines. Scale properties were analysed with confirmatory factor analyses and item response models. Associations between childhood maltreatment domains and depression [Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II)] were assessed. The majority (58.9%) reported events indicative of at least mild levels of childhood maltreatment. CTQ subscales showed characteristically different non‐linear associations to age across the five studied domains, indicating methodological issues like recall bias and the influence of seminal events. Psychometric scale properties were acceptable to good for all subscales except for physical neglect. Associations to depression measures varied systematically across socio‐demographic strata. We conclude that socio‐demographic variability is a major issue when studying self‐reported childhood maltreatment in a community sample. This needs to be taken into account for the study of associations to psychiatric key outcomes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maltreatment during childhood and risk for common mental disorders among first year university students in South Africa

Purpose

Childhood maltreatment elevates risk for common mental disorders (CMDs) during late adolescence and adulthood. Although CMDs are highly prevalent among university students, few studies have examined the relationship between childhood maltreatment and 12 month CMDs in a low- to middle-income countries. This paper describes the prevalence of maltreatment and the relationship between type, number and patterns of maltreatment exposure and 12 month CMDs among first-year university students in South Africa.

Methods

Maltreatment and CMD data were collected via well-validated self-report scales (corresponding with DSM-IV diagnoses) in a web-based survey of first-year students from two large urban universities (n = 1290) in South Africa. Various multivariate modelling approaches (additive, restrictive interactive and latent class) were used to examine the relationship between maltreatment and CMDs.

Results

Overall, 48.4% of participants reported childhood maltreatment, the most common type being emotional abuse (26.7%). Regardless of the modelling approach used, emotional abuse was the only type of maltreatment independently associated with 12-month diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) or drug use disorder (DUD) even after adjusting for types and number of types of maltreatment. Similarly, students in the latent class reflecting histories of emotional abuse (either alone or combined with physical abuse) were more likely to meet criteria for 12-month MDD, GAD or DUD.

Conclusion

Findings confirm the high prevalence of childhood maltreatment among South African students. As this exposure elevates risk for MDD, GAD and DUD, interventions aimed at preventing and treating CMDs among first-year students should address experiences of childhood maltreatment.

     

Influence of childhood maltreatment on prevalence,onset, and persistence of psychiatric comorbidities and suicide attempts in bipolar disorders

BackgroundPsychiatric comorbidities and suicide attempts are highly prevalent in Bipolar Disorders (BD). We examined the associations between childhood maltreatment, psychiatric comorbidities, and suicide attempts, in terms of lifetime prevalence, sequence of onset, and current symptoms.MethodsWe assessed 3,047 individuals with BD for suicide attempts, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. Participants completed a self-report for the assessment of childhood maltreatment. Associations between childhood maltreatment and characteristics of comorbidities (lifetime prevalence, current symptoms, and age at onset) were examined using logistic regressions and network analyses.ResultsPsychiatric comorbidities were frequent with a mean number per individual of 1.23 (SD = 1.4). Most comorbidities occurred prior to the onset of BD. Participants who reported higher levels of childhood maltreatment had more frequent and multiple comorbidities, which were also more currently active at inclusion. Childhood maltreatment did not decrease the age of onset of comorbidities, but was associated with a faster accumulation of comorbidities prior to the onset of BD. Logistic regression and network analyses showed that emotional abuse and sexual abuse might play a prominent role in the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities and suicide attempts.ConclusionsChildhood maltreatment was associated with suicide attempts, and with frequent, multiple, and persistent psychiatric comorbidities that accumulated more rapidly prior to the onset of BD. Hence, childhood maltreatment should be systematically assessed in individuals with BD, in particular when the course of the disorder is characterized by a high comorbid profile or by a high suicidality.     

Childhood adversity in association with personality disorder dimensions: New findings in an old debate

BackgroundVarious studies have reported a positive relationship between child maltreatment and personality disorders (PDs). However, few studies included all DSM-IV PDs and even fewer adjusted for other forms of childhood adversity, e.g. bullying or family problems.MethodWe analyzed questionnaires completed by 512 participants of the ZInEP epidemiology survey, a comprehensive psychiatric survey of the general population in Zurich, Switzerland. Associations between childhood adversity and PDs were analyzed bivariately via simple regression analyses and multivariately via multiple path analysis.ResultsThe bivariate analyses revealed that all PD dimensions were significantly related to various forms of family and school problems as well as child abuse. In contrast, according to the multivariate analysis only school problems and emotional abuse were associated with various PDs. Poverty was uniquely associated with schizotypal PD, conflicts with parents with obsessive-compulsive PD, physical abuse with antisocial PD, and physical neglect with narcissistic PD. Sexual abuse was statistically significantly associated with schizotypal and borderline PD, but corresponding effect sizes were small.ConclusionChildhood adversity has a serious impact on PDs. Bullying and violence in schools and emotional abuse appear to be more salient markers of general personality pathology than other forms of childhood adversity. Associations with sexual abuse were negligible when adjusted for other forms of adversity.     

The differential relation of childhood maltreatment to stress sensitization in adolescent and young adult depression

Childhood maltreatment has been shown to have a stronger etiological relation to depression onset in adolescence than in adulthood. We propose that a maltreatment history may more strongly sensitize individuals to the depressogenic effects of proximal stressful life events in adolescence compared to adulthood. In an amalgamated sample of 176 unipolar depressed adolescents (age 12–17) and emerging adults (age 18–29), we examined the moderating role of age group on the relation of childhood maltreatment to sensitization to stressors that occurred just prior to episode onset. Among adolescents, but not among adults, those with a maltreatment history reported a lower severity level of life events prior to episode onset than reported by those without such a history. Further, this relation was specific to emotional abuse, and not physical or sexual abuse. We suggest that the pathological mechanisms associated with translating childhood maltreatment to depression may differ across developmental periods.     

Childhood maltreatment and adult mental health

Background: The relationship between reported childhood maltreatment and general psychological and post-traumatic distress was examined in a sample of 551 adults from different risk samples. Aims: Exposure to childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form, which detects physical, emotional and sexual abuse and past physical and emotional neglect. Methods: The participants’ current levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and general psychological stress symptoms were measured with the Impact of Event Scale – Revised and the Symptom Checklist 90 – Revised, respectively. Results: The results reveal a high prevalence of reported childhood maltreatment in both men and women, and the severity levels of the five types of childhood maltreatment showed significant associations with the extent of current post-traumatic and general psychological distress. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for appropriate procedures for identifying childhood maltreatment.     

Childhood maltreatment and personality disorders in adult patients with binge eating disorder

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between retrospective reports of different types of childhood maltreatment and current personality disorders (PDs) in patients with binge eating disorder (BED). METHOD: A total of 116 consecutive out-patients with DSM-IV BED were assessed with diagnostic interviews and completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to assess childhood maltreatment in five domains (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect). RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of patients reported some form of childhood maltreatment and 30% met criteria for at least one PD. Emotional abuse was significantly associated with cluster C PD overall and specifically with avoidant PD. CONCLUSION: Reports of emotional abuse - but not other forms of maltreatment - were associated with greater likelihood of a PDs in patients with BED.     

Childhood trauma,dimensions of psychopathology and the clinical expression of bipolar disorders: A pathway analysis

BackgroundThis study aims at testing for paths from childhood abuse to clinical indicators of complexity in bipolar disorder (BD), through dimensions of affective dysregulation, impulsivity and hostility.Method485 euthymic patients with BD from the FACE-BD cohort were included from 2009 to 2014. We collect clinical indicators of complexity/severity: age and polarity at onset, suicide attempt, rapid cycling and substance misuse. Patients completed questionnaires to assess childhood emotional, sexual and physical abuses, affective lability, affect intensity, impulsivity, motor and attitudinal hostility.ResultsThe path-analysis demonstrated significant associations between emotional abuse and all the affective/impulsive dimensions (p < 0.001). Sexual abuse was moderately associated with emotion-related dimensions but not with impulsivity nor motor hostility. In turn, affect intensity and attitudinal hostility were associated with high risk for lifetime presence of suicide attempts (p < 0.001), whereas impulsivity was associated with a higher risk of lifetime presence of substance misuse (p < 0.001). No major additional paths were identified when including Emotional and Physical Neglect in the model.ConclusionsThis study provides refinement of the links between early adversity, dimensions of psychopathology and the complexity/severity of BD. Mainly, dimensions of affective dysregulation, impulsivity/hostility partially mediate the links between childhood emotional to suicide attempts and substance misuse in BD.     

Childhood maltreatment is associated with depression but not with hypochondriasis in later life

Objective

Previous studies demonstrated that a history of childhood trauma is linked to mental disorders in adulthood, particularly to depression. Adverse childhood experiences are also considered to contribute to the risk of hypochondriasis, but the results of previous studies have not been conclusive with respect to the strength and specificity of this association. Therefore, we compared the association of adverse childhood experiences with both hypochondriasis and depression.

Methods

Fifty-eight patients with hypochondriasis, 52 patients with depression, and 52 healthy control participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) which assesses 5 varieties of abuse and neglect. A clinical interview (SCID-I) was used to establish DSM-IV diagnoses. Associations between childhood maltreatment, hypochondriasis and depression were estimated by means of analyses of variance and multiple linear regression analyses.

Results

In comparison to hypochondriacal and healthy participants, patients with a current depressive disorder reported more emotional abuse as well as more emotional and physical neglect during childhood. Patients with hypochondriasis reported more emotional neglect than healthy individuals. However, when predicting the CTQ trauma types by diagnostic category adjusting for sex and comorbid DSM-IV diagnoses, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, physical neglect, as well as the CTQ total score were significantly associated with depression, but none of the CTQ scores was significantly related to hypochondriasis.

Conclusions

The findings suggest a robust association of childhood maltreatment with depression but not with hypochondriasis. This result does not support etiological models of hypochondriasis which rely on childhood maltreatment as a risk factor for the development of this disorder.     

Childhood trauma and METH abuse among men who have sex with men: Implications for intervention

Methamphetamine (METH) has become one of the most widely abused drugs in South Florida, particularly among MSM who may or may not be HIV seropositive. High rates of childhood trauma have been reported among HIV-infected MSM (Chartier et al., 2010), but, the association of childhood trauma, and mood disorders with methamphetamine use in HIV-infected men, has not been comprehensively explored. A better understanding of the association between these factors could improve existing substance abuse treatment intervention strategies and medical treatment programs (e.g., medication adherence; Carrico, 2010) to enhance positive health outcomes for male meth abusers living with the psychological consequences of childhood abuse. This study, as part of a larger study, examined the occurrence of childhood trauma and depression in a group of HIV seropositive METH abusing MSM. Significantly higher levels of depression symptom severity were found among METH users relative to non-METH users (p < .001). Irrespective of HIV status, METH users also reported higher frequencies of emotional, physical and sexual child abuse relative to non-METH users (p < .001). Among meth users, depression was predicted by childhood emotional neglect. These results suggest that childhood maltreatment may be implicated in the development of emotional distress (e.g., depression) and higher prevalence of methamphetamine/drug abuse in this population. These findings have important implications for substance abuse interventions, specifically targeting METH addiction among MSM. Addressing childhood trauma and depression may play a key role in enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for methamphetamine addiction.     

Predictors of Developmental Outcome in 4- to 6-Year-Olds With Developmental Disability

Objective Studies on the early trajectories of developmental disability (DD) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic stability and developmental trajectories of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), and to determine baseline clinical characteristics that affect future diagnosis. Methods We analyzed 192 children who were referred for possible DD through retrospective chart review. Clinical diagnosis was assessed once at baseline, aged 2–4, and at follow-up, aged 4–6. The participants’ developmental profiles were measured by Psychoeducational Profile-Revised (PEP-R), Vineland Social Maturity Scale (VSMS), Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI), and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Results On comparing the diagnostic change, 5% of children were no longer diagnosed as ASD, and 13% of children were no longer diagnosed as ID at follow-up. Trajectories of developmental profiles were compared between children with and without ID at follow-up, and significant time-by-group interaction were observed in PEP-R (p<0.001), VSMS (p<0.001), and VMI (p=0.003) scores, indicating that children without ID at follow-up showed significant improvement over time compared to children with ID. ASD diagnosis (p<0.001) and CARS score (p=0.007) at baseline were significantly associated with ASD at follow-up, while VSMS score (p=0.004) and VMI score (p=0.019) at baseline were significantly associated with ID at follow-up. Conclusion A subset of children lost their diagnosis at follow-up, and such diagnostic change was significantly more common in ID compared to ASD. Baseline autism symptomatology was related to ASD at follow-up, and baseline adaptive and visuo-motor function was related to ID at follow-up.     

Differential effects of childhood abuse and neglect: mediation by posttraumatic distress in neurotic disorder and negative symptoms in schizophrenia?

Dissociation, though understood as a response to trauma, lacks a proven etiology. The assumption of a dose-response relationship between trauma, dissociation and Schneiderian symptoms led to the proposal of a dissociative subtype of schizophrenia characterized by severe child maltreatment, dissociation and psychosis. Child maltreatment and dissociation are common features of neurotic disorders as well, and the link between trauma, dissociation, and hallucinations is not specific for schizophrenia. This study compares childhood abuse and neglect, posttraumatic distress and adult dissociation in patients with psychotic vs. non-psychotic disorder. Thirty-five participants with non-psychotic disorder and twenty-five with schizophrenia were analyzed using the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale PDS (PDS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTO) and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Methodik und Dokumentation in der Psychiatrie (AMDP)-module on dissociation. Trauma and clinical syndromes were compared by means of T-testing and logistic regression between 1) the diagnoses and 2) groups with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), marked dissociation and psychotic symptoms. While non-psychotic disorder was related to abuse, schizophrenia showed an association with neglect. Childhood trauma predicted posttraumatic symptomatology and negative symptoms. Childhood abuse and neglect may effectuate different outcomes in neurotic and psychotic disorder. The underlying mechanisms, including dissociation, dovetail with cognitive, emotional and behavioural changes involved in depression, posttraumatic distress and chronic schizophrenia symptoms rather than being directly linked to trauma.     

Association between childhood trauma and accelerated telomere erosion in adulthood: A meta-analytic study

BackgroundChildhood trauma has long-term sequelae on health status and contributes to numbers of somatic and mental disorders in later life. Findings from experimental studies in animals suggest that telomere erosion may be a mediator of this relationship. However, results from human studies are heterogeneous. To address these inconsistencies, we performed a meta-analysis regarding the association between childhood trauma and telomere length in adulthood.MethodArticles were identified by systematically searching the Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science databases. Twenty four studies, which include twenty six sample sets and 30,919 participants, met the inclusion criteria for meta-analyses.ResultsThis meta-analyses revealed that individuals experienced childhood trauma have accelerated telomere erosion in adulthood, with a small effect size (r = −0.05, 95% CI = −0.08–0.03, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses by type of childhood trauma revealed a trend in difference between groups (Q = 5.24, p = 0.07). Analyses for individual trauma types revealed a significant association between childhood separation and telomere erosion (r = −0.09, p < 0.001), but not for physical abuse, sexual abuse and loss of a parent.ConclusionThis meta-analysis demonstrated a significant association between childhood trauma and accelerated telomere erosion in adulthood, and further revealed that different trauma types have various impacts on telomere. Additional research on the mechanism that links the individual types of childhood trauma with telomere is needed in the future.     

Childhood trauma and dissociation in first-episode psychosis,chronic schizophrenia and community controls

Increasing evidence supports the role of childhood trauma in the etiology of psychosis but underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Early maltreatment has been linked to dissociative symptoms in psychosis patients. We explored associations between childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale) in first-episode psychotic patients (n=62), chronic psychotic patients (n=43), and non-psychotic community controls (n=66). Multivariate analyses of covariance were used to test associations between childhood trauma and dissociation by group while controlling for sex. Chronic patients reported the highest level of dissociation. More severe childhood trauma was associated with greater dissociative symptoms in all groups although most strongly in chronic patients. Emotional abuse showed the strongest associations with dissociation, with these being strongest for chronic patients, followed by first-episode patients — and least for controls. Men showed a stronger association between physical neglect and dissociation than women, irrespective of group. There were no significant group by sex interactions. Our findings replicate the strong association between childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms in chronic and first-episode psychotic patients relative to non-psychotic control subjects. We also demonstrate the salience of emotional abuse in explaining variance in dissociation, especially in chronic patients.     

Revisiting the association between childhood trauma and psychosis in bipolar disorder: A quasi-dimensional path-analysis

BackgroundChildhood trauma has been associated with a more severe clinical expression of bipolar disorder (BD). However, the results that specifically associated traumatic events and psychotic features in BD have been inconsistent, possibly due to the low resolution of the phenotypes being used.Methods270 normothymic patients with BD completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Peters Delusion Inventory (PDI) that assessed 21 delusional beliefs. Patients were characterized for the lifetime presence of psychotic features during episodes and cannabis misuse in accordance with DSM-IV. We performed a series of path analyses to investigate the links from three types of childhood abuse (physical, sexual and emotional) directly to delusional beliefs and psychotic features, and indirectly through cannabis misuse.ResultsA first path analysis showed no link between any of the childhood abuse types and psychotic features when only a categorical definition of psychosis was used. When incorporating the quasi-dimensional measure of delusional beliefs in a second path analysis, we found that emotional and physical abuse and cannabis misuse were each directly associated with PDI score. PDI score and psychotic features were strongly correlated. Childhood abuse did not operate through cannabis misuse to increase delusional beliefs. Including type of BD in the model did not alter the results.ConclusionEmotional and physical abuse, but also cannabis misuse, increased delusional beliefs in patients with BD. Using a quasi-dimensional measure of psychotic symptoms in BD provided higher resolution of the psychosis phenotype and helped reconcile ambiguous findings from previous studies.     

Role of childhood traumatic experience in personality disorders in China

BackgroundThere has been no large-scale examination of the association between types of childhood abuse and personality disorders (PDs) in China using standardized assessment tools and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Hence, this study aimed to explore the relationship between retrospective reports of various types of childhood maltreatments and current DSM-IV PDs in a clinical population in China, Shanghai.MethodOne thousand four hundred two subjects were randomly sampled from the Shanghai Psychological Counselling Centre. PDs were assessed using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire, Fourth Edition Plus. Participants were also interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis II. The Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to assess childhood maltreatment in 5 domains (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect).ResultsAccording to Pearson correlations, childhood maltreatment had a strong association with most PDs. Subsequently, using partial correlations, significant relationships were also demonstrated between cluster B PDs and all the traumatic factors except physical neglect. A strongest positive correlation was found between cluster B PD and CTQ total scores (r = .312, P < .01). Using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, significant differences in 4 groups of subjects (clusters A, B, and C PD and non-PD) in terms of emotional abuse (χ² = 34.864, P < .01), physical abuse (χ² = 14.996, P < .05), sex abuse (χ² = 9.211, P < .05), and emotional neglect (χ² = 17.987, P < .01) were found. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that emotional abuse and emotional neglect were predictive for clusters A and B PD, and sexual abuse was highly predictive for cluster B PD; only emotional neglect was predictive for cluster C PD.ConclusionEarly traumatic experiences are strongly related to the development of PDs. The effects of childhood maltreatment in the 3 clusters of PDs are different. Childhood trauma has the most significant impact on cluster B PD.     

Relationship between multiple forms of childhood maltreatment and adult mental health in community respondents: results from the adverse childhood experiences study

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of a history of various combinations of childhood maltreatment types (physical abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessing of maternal battering) among adult members of a health maintenance organization (HMO) and explored the relationship with adult mental health of the combinations of types of childhood maltreatment and emotional abuse in the childhood family environment. METHOD: A total of 8,667 adult members of an HMO completed measures of childhood exposure to family dysfunction, which included items on physical and sexual abuse, witnessing of maternal battering, and emotional abuse in the childhood family environment. The adults' current mental health was assessed by using the mental health scale of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. RESULTS: The prevalences of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and witnessing of maternal violence were 21.6%, 20.6%, and 14.0%, respectively, when the maltreatment types were considered separately. Among respondents reporting any of the maltreatment types, 34.6% reported more than one type of maltreatment. Lower mean mental health scores were associated with higher numbers of abuse categories (mean=78.5, 75.5, 72.8, and 69.9 for respondents with no, one, two, and three abuse types, respectively). Both an emotionally abusive family environment and the interaction of an emotionally abusive family environment with the various maltreatment types had a significant effect on mental health scores. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood physical and sexual abuse, as well as witnessing of maternal battering, were common among the adult members of an HMO in this study. Among those reporting any maltreatment, more than one-third had experienced more than one type of maltreatment. A dose-response relation was found between the number of types of maltreatment reported and mental health scores. In addition, an emotionally abusive family environment accentuated the decrements in mental health scores. Future research examining the effects of childhood maltreatment on adult mental health should include assessments of a wide range of abusive experiences, as well as the family atmosphere in which they occur.     

The Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form: Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version

ObjectiveExperiencing traumatic events in childhood is related to various psychiatric problems in adulthood, and a comprehensive tool for measuring childhood trauma is necessary in this field. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties, and factor structure of the Korean version of the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETISR-SF). ETISR-SF measures the childhood trauma, including physical, and emotional sexual abuse, as well as general traumas.MethodsA clinical and nonclinical samples comprising of 97 subjects from a local community, and 207 patients with the ETISR-SF, were assessed. Other tools, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used to assess clinical symptoms. Additional data from 69 college students was used to examine the test-retest reliability.ResultsThe original four-factor model was supported by the confirmatory factor analysis scale [χ² (351, n=304)=3374.025, p<0.001, TLI=0.969, CFI=0.972, RMSEA=0.030]. The ETISR-SF was found to be a reliable instrument (Cronbach''s α=0.869). Comparison of the ETISR-SF scores discriminated the clinical group from that of the control group. The measure showed good convergent and divergent validity, in that the scores were correlated higher with the scores on the CTQ-SF (0.691) than with the scores on the BDI or BAI (0.424, 0.397 respectively). The ETISR-SF was found to be temporally stable, showing the moderate to high correlation (0.844).ConclusionThese findings suggest that the Korean version of the ETISR-SF appears to be a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of reported childhood trauma.