Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Psychological defense styles, childhood adversities and psychopathology in adulthood
- Authors:
- NICKEL R., EGLE U.T.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 30(2), February 2006, pp.157-170.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The present study explores the link between reported sexual and/or physical abuse and psychological defence styles, as well as the association of both with psychological distress in adulthood. In two patient samples that differ in psychological distress and somatization, the authors examine whether the adversities reported and immature defence styles are associated with psychopathological symptoms. Two hundred and sixty six consecutive inpatients in the psychosomatic department and 109 consecutive inpatients who had been treated for low-back pain in the orthopaedic department of a German university hospital were examined. Psychological defence styles were assessed by a two-factor solution of the German modified adaptation of the Defense Mechanism Inventory (DMI), childhood adversities by a structured interview, psychological distress by the SCL-90-R, and somatization by the Screening for Somatoform Disorders (SOMS). Both samples demonstrated a significant link between immature defence styles and the extent of overall psychological distress as well as somatization. Reported sexual and/or physical abuse of patients in both patient samples was directly associated with somatization. It is concluded that recollections of sexual and/or physical abuse in childhood and immature defence styles have an association with psychopathology in adulthood. This finding suggests that immature defence styles may act, in part, as mediators between the adversities investigated and adult psychopathology.
Cognitive-behavioural interventions for children who have been sexually abused
- Authors:
- MACDONALD Geraldine, HIGGINS Julian, RAMCHANDANI Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Campbell Systematic Reviews, 2(1), 2006, pp.1-60.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This review aimed to examine the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural approaches in addressing the immediate and longer-term psychological and behavioural problems on children who have been sexually abused. Ten studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria for the review, in which a total of 847 children participated. The evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioural therapy may have a positive impact on the sequelae of child sexual abuse, but most results were statistically non-significant. Implications for practice and further research are noted. (Edited publisher abstract)
Signs of resilience in sexually abused adolescent girls in the foster care system
- Authors:
- EDMOND Tonya, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 15(1), 2006, pp.1-28.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In a sample of 99 sexually abused adolescent girls in foster care or out-of-home placement in the United States (64% in congregate living situations and 36% in family/foster care homes), nearly half were psychologically functioning well despite having experienced moderate-to-severe emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. It was hypothesized that these girls with resilient trajectories would differ from the currently symptomatic girls on several protective factors: education, future orientation, family support, peer influence, and religion. The results revealed that the girls with resilient trajectories were significantly more certain of their educational plans and optimistic about their future and had more positive peer influences. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
The impact of childhood sexual abuse in anorexia nervosa
- Authors:
- CARTER Jacqueline C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 30(3), March 2006, pp.257-269.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on clinical characteristics and premature termination of treatment in anorexia nervosa (AN). The participants were 77 consecutive patients with AN admitted to an inpatient eating disorders unit. The patients were assessed in terms of eating disorder symptoms, general psychopathology, and CSA history at admission to hospital. Thirty-seven patients (48%) reported a history of CSA before the onset of the eating disorder. Individuals with a history of CSA reported significantly greater psychiatric comorbidity, including higher levels of depression and anxiety, lower self-esteem, more interpersonal problems, and more severe obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Patients with the binge-purge subtype of AN (AN-BP) were significantly more likely to report a history of CSA prior to the onset of the eating disorder as compared with patients with the restricting subtype (AN-R) of the illness (65% of the AN-BP patients vs. 37% of the AN-R patients; p < .02). Contrary to our predictions, abused patients were not significantly more likely to dropout of treatment overall. However, patients of the binge-purge subtype (AN-BP) with a history of CSA were significantly more likely to terminate treatment prematurely as compared with the other patients. Consistent with previous findings, the present results indicate that the prevalence of CSA is high among individuals seeking inpatient treatment for AN. A history of CSA was associated with greater psychiatric disturbance overall and a higher rate of dropout for patients of the binge-purge subtype.
The effect of lifetime victimization on the mental health of children and adolescents
- Authors:
- TURNER Heather A., FINKELHOR David, ORMROD Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 62(1), January 2006, pp.13-27.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This paper examines the cumulative prevalence of victimization and its impact on mental health in a nationally representative sample of 2030 children aged 2–17 in the USA. Telephone interviews conducted with both caregivers and youth revealed socio-demographic variations in lifetime exposure to most forms of victimization, with ethnic minorities, those lower in socio-economic status, and those living in single parent and stepfamilies experiencing greater victimization. Sexual assault, child maltreatment, witnessing family violence, and other major violence exposure each made independent contributions to levels of both depression and anger/aggression. Other non-victimization adversities also showed substantial independent effects, while in most cases, each victimization domain remained a significant predictor of mental health. Results suggest that cumulative exposure to multiple forms of victimization over a child's life-course represents a substantial source of mental health risk.
Tackling the health and mental health effects of domestic and sexual violence and abuse
- Author:
- ITZIN Catherine
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 87p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report sets out a programme of work to equip services and professionals to identify and respond to the health and mental health needs of individuals affected by domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, rape, oblique sexual assault and sexual exploitation including children, adolescents, and adults, both victims and abusers, male and female. The report has been jointly produced by the Department of Health, National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE), and Victims of Violence and Abuse Prevention programme in partnership with the Home Office.
Child abuse and disability in an Ontario community sample: does social capital matter?
- Authors:
- TONMYR Lil, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 8(2), May 2006, pp.23-30.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Researchers have established a link between abuse and physical and mental disability , but most abused individuals do not experience disability. While some survivors are severely harmed by their experiences of abuse other survivors of similar exposure appear to have no long-term health problems. The study examines whether the presence of social capital accounts for these differences. Cross-sectional data from the Ontario Health Supplement were used to assess the association between child abuse, age, social capital (social connections and disruptions in living circumstances and relationships), cultural capital (education and occupation) and financial capital (money) and disability in a female community sample of 4,238. The results suggest that abuse (physical and sexual) and financial capital are associated with disability, but not social capital.
Child abuse in religiously-affiliated institutions: long-term impact on men's mental health
- Authors:
- WOLFE David A., FRANCIS Karen J., STRAATMAN Anna-Lee
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 30(2), February 2006, pp.205-212.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This clinical study reports on the psychological functioning of 76 men with substantiated claims against a residential religiously-affiliated institution for multiple and severe incidents of sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse during childhood. Each participant received a clinical interview and was administered psychological tests and a structured interview for DSM-IV diagnoses. The same clinician completed all of the assessments. DSM-IV criteria were met for current PTSD (42%), alcohol (21%), and mood-related disorders (25%). Over one-third of the sample suffered chronic sexual problems, and over one half had a history of criminal behaviour. The clinical findings provide direction for assessing victims of historical abuse, and underscore the importance of awareness, prevention, and treatment needs for those who have been abused in institutional settings. Conclusions are limited due to participants’ involvement in civil action, unknown pre-existing conditions, and the lack of a suitable comparison group.
Forensic mental health assessment of children and adolescents
- Editors:
- SPARTA Steven N., KOOCHER Gerald P., (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 474p.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
Most professional forensic literature addresses the assessment of adults yet neglects the necessary differences that arise when working with minors. This book presents essential knowledge and practical suggestions regarding the forensic assessment of minors involved in a variety of legal applications. Methods of evaluation are described by leading experts regarding topics frequently encountered and of great importance to the courts including: -Physical and sexual child abuse -Domestic violence -Child custody in divorce proceedings -Risk assessment for violence -Potential for rehabilitation in juvenile court cases -Special education -Childhood development and trauma as mitigating circumstances in death penalty cases In addition to reviewing a broad spectrum of topics, methods of evaluation, and the application of specific tests, chapters also address forensic assessment matters such as ethical issues, professional liability, and cultural considerations. This comprehensive resource will be indispensable to mental health practitioners and legal professionals, and of great interest to researchers and students.
Psychosocial interventions for maltreated and violence-exposed children
- Authors:
- COHEN Judith A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Issues, 6(4), 2006, pp.737-766.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Child sexual, physical, and emotional abuse as well as child neglect and domestic violence, community violence, and Childhood Traumatic Grief may result in significant and long-lasting emotional and behavioural difficulties. This article reviews randomized controlled studies that have assessed child mental health outcomes for maltreated and violence-exposed children. Key points of this review include the following: (1) maltreated and violence-exposed children typically experience more than one of these types of traumas; (2) effective psychosocial treatments are available to address Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and behavioural problems in these children; (3) it is likely that treatments which effectively reduce mental health symptoms in children exposed to one type of child maltreatment or violence exposure will also be effective for other or multiple types; and (4) mental health outcomes are not the only important outcomes to address in future treatment or intervention efforts. These future directions for treatment intervention research are addressed.