The current study investigated the role of early maladaptive schema (EMS), particularly the schemas subjugation and self-sacrifice in mediating the relationship between adverse childhood...Show moreThe current study investigated the role of early maladaptive schema (EMS), particularly the schemas subjugation and self-sacrifice in mediating the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and transdiagnostic somatic symptoms. Through convenience sampling, participants’ demographic data, EMS score (YSQ-3), ACE score (ACE questionnaire), and presence of transdiagnostic somatic symptoms (DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure) were measured. The total scores of subjugation and self-sacrifice, ACE, and transdiagnostic somatic symptoms were respectively summated, then analysed through mediation analysis. Participants were (N = 131) students of Leiden University from the age of 18 years old (M = 19, IQR = 2), comprising of 91.2% female and 8.8% male. Through the analysis, it was found that subjugation and self-sacrifice together significantly mediate the relationship between ACE and transdiagnostic somatic symptoms (b = .314, p = .003). The indirect effect was found to have mediated 55.6% (b = .175, p = .002) of the relationship. Moreover, exploratory analyses indicated that individually, subjugation and self-sacrifice also successfully mediated this relationship. This finding further strengthens the existing argument that following ACE, particular behavioral stress-response may lead to transdiagnostic somatic symptoms in later life. In this case, the schemas subjugation and self-sacrifice were found to be crucial in this relationship. Thus, providing a deeper look into the developmental trajectory of the ACE, EMS, and transdiagnostic domains and may aid clinicians in recognizing and targeting schemas related to transdiagnostic somatic symptoms.Show less
Research on suicidal ideation indicates the significant role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early parental attachment but fails to investigate risk potential in student populations....Show moreResearch on suicidal ideation indicates the significant role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early parental attachment but fails to investigate risk potential in student populations. This study aimed to research how adverse childhood experiences in a population of university students who report mood and stress problems are related to suicidal ideation and whether the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation is moderated by attachment style. To target students at risk for suicidal ideation, purposive sampling was employed. An independent samples t-test with consecutive multiple regression (n= 234) showed that adverse childhood experiences, measured with the ACE questionnaire, predicted the presence and severity of suicidal ideation, measured by the BSSI. Consecutive ANCOVA showed that disorganized attachment to the mother and father, measured with the PBI, were found to predict suicidal ideation. Secure attachment was negatively associated with suicidal ideation, whereas for avoidant and anxious attachment there was no association found. A logistic regression analysis showed no moderation effect of insecure attachment styles in the relation between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation. Gender, academic pressure, and nationality were controlled. Findings may be limited due to methodological and performance flaws. The results highlight the importance of early identification of adverse childhood experiences and disorganized attachment for intervention and prevention of later suicidal ideation amongst students.Show less
A growing body of literature suggests that parental trauma can be passed on to children, possibly creating persistent intergenerational cycles of trauma. The present study aimed to obtain a better...Show moreA growing body of literature suggests that parental trauma can be passed on to children, possibly creating persistent intergenerational cycles of trauma. The present study aimed to obtain a better understanding of the intergenerational transmission of trauma by focusing on the relationship between parental trauma symptoms and child trauma symptoms among 630 parent-child dyads who were previously involved with Child Protection Services (CPS). Additionally, the potentially mediating role of parent-child attachment within intergenerational trauma was investigated. Finally, the study looked at the Big Five dimensions of child personality (i.e., Neuroticism, Extraversion, Imagination, Benevolence, and Conscientiousness) as possible risk or protective factors in the process of intergenerational transmission of trauma. Results suggested that parental trauma symptoms predicted child trauma symptoms. Moreover, parents’ exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and child gender did not predict child trauma symptoms, implying that parents’ current trauma symptomology was a stronger predictor of child trauma than exposure to ACEs. Moreover, approximately 10% of the relationship between parental trauma symptoms and child trauma symptoms was explained by parent-child attachment. Finally, provisional support was found for the moderating roles of Benevolence, Extraversion, and Imagination, suggesting that children with high levels of these traits are less affected by their parents’ trauma. Although no causal conclusions could be drawn based on this correlational study, the results supported the notion of intergenerational transmission of trauma. In addition, opportunities were proposed for breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma, such as focusing on differentiation of children from their parents’ trauma, early recognition of trauma symptoms in parents, and targeting the parent-child attachment within families with histories of trauma. In sum, the present study offered additional support for the intergenerational transmission of trauma and has pointed to the possibly important roles of parent-child attachment and child personality in discontinuation of intergenerational cycles of trauma.Show less
Background: The coronavirus pandemic had a direct impact on mental health, influencing well-being and the choice of coping behaviors used to face this unique life adversity. Adverse childhood...Show moreBackground: The coronavirus pandemic had a direct impact on mental health, influencing well-being and the choice of coping behaviors used to face this unique life adversity. Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to specific choices of coping behaviors which could lead to poorer health outcomes, therefore worse well-being. Aim: Investigate whether adverse childhood experiences predict pandemic coping behaviors and if adverse childhood experiences moderate the relationship between pandemic coping behaviors and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: This study was part of the CONNECT study within the Netherlands, which is part of a larger international longitudinal collaboration from eleven countries in Europe (ADJUST study). The participants were recruited through social media platforms from July to November 2020. Sociodemographic data were gathered, along with the following questionnaires: Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire (ACE) to measure adverse childhood experiences, Pandemic Coping Scale (PCS) to measure pandemic coping behaviors, and WHO-5 Well-being Index (WHO-5) to measure well-being. Descriptive analysis as well as a MANOVA and moderation analyses were performed. Results: The responses of 2,022 individuals were analyzed. The mean age of the participants was 36, females (70.4%), males (29.1%), and others (0.5%). The mean for adverse childhood experiences was 1.3 and most of the population was considered low risk (86.9%). The mean score for well-being was 13.1 and 22.4 for PCS scores, which indicate high scores in well-being and coping behaviors. The MANOVA showed a significant model equation (p = .040) and non-significant individual relationships between ACEs and each pandemic coping style (preventative actions, p = .73; healthy lifestyle, p = .929; daily structure, p = .784; joyful activities, p = .162). The moderation effect of ACE in the relationship between coping and well-being was not significant (p = .150). Conclusions: This study shows the relation between well-being, pandemic coping behaviors, and adverse childhood experiences during the current coronavirus pandemic, as well as an insight into the Dutch population's experience of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Further research is advised.Show less
The prevalence rate of suicidal ideation among university students is high. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as a social determinant of mental health, are amongst many predictive factors that...Show moreThe prevalence rate of suicidal ideation among university students is high. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as a social determinant of mental health, are amongst many predictive factors that influence suicidal ideation. This research paper aimed to investigate the effect that different childhood maltreatment types (physical abuse/ neglect, emotional abuse/ neglect, and sexual abuse) have on adolescents’ suicidal ideation (aged 17-26). To investigate those effects in a non-clinical population, a cross-sectional study was conducted amongst Leiden University students (N = 133). The data was collected via two online Self-Report Questionnaires (the Suicidal Ideation Attribution Scale and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form). While adverse childhood experiences were reported in 35,3 percent of respondents, suicidal ideation was present in 51,9 percent of the respondents. Overall, the simple linear regression model provided clear results on the predictive effect ACEs have on adolescents’ suicidal ideation (F(1, 131) = 17.419, p < .001, R² = 0.117). According to the multiple linear regression model, only emotional abuse proved to be a significant maltreatment predictor of suicidal ideation (t(127) = 3.989, p < .001, f ² = .27). The obtained results can serve as a justification for the inclusion of social determinants as a direct predictor of suicidal ideation in existing theories and models. Further, the findings can provide vindication for policy changes and the execution of better suicide prevention work on multiple levels of society. If the findings are implemented successfully, then “one’s Beginning no longer has to be one’s End”.Show less
