Psychometric validation of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) in a Danish clinical sample

BackgroundThe Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form (CTQ-SF) is a widely utilized self-report instrument in the assessment and characterization of childhood trauma. Yet, research on the instrument’s psychometric properties in clinical samples is sparse, and the Danish version of the CTQ-SF has not been previously evaluated in clinical samples.ObjectivesTo examine the structural validity, internal consistency reliability, and multi-method convergent validity of the CTQ-SF in a heterogenous clinical sample from Denmark.Participants and settingThe study was based on data from four Danish clinical samples (N = 393): 1) Outpatients diagnosed with personality disorders, 2) Patients commencing psychiatric treatment for non-affective first-episode psychosis, 3) Patients diagnosed with first-episode or prolonged depression recruited from general practitioners and an outpatient mood disorder clinic, and 4) detained delinquent boys.MethodsConfirmatory factor analysis was used to explore structural validity. Also, we calculated internal consistency and multi-method convergent validity with interview-based ratings of adverse parenting.ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses indicated that the five-factor structure described in CTQ-SF manual with three error correlated items best fitted the data, as compared to various other models. Coefficients of congruence also supported factorial similarity across countries (i.e. US substance abuser and a mixed Brazilian sample). Internal consistency reliability was acceptable and comparable to estimates previously published. Multi-method convergent validity associations further corroborated the validity of the CTQ-SF.ConclusionThese findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the Danish version of the CTQ-SF in clinical samples.     

Broken bonds: A meta-analysis of emotion reactivity and regulation in emotionally maltreating parents

BackgroundEmotional maltreatment is the most pervasive but least studied form of abuse.ObjectiveIn the present study, we examined the role of emotion reactivity and emotion regulation in emotional child maltreatment.MethodsWe identified nine studies that compared levels of parental emotion reactivity and regulation in emotionally maltreating families with levels in non-maltreating families.ResultsOur meta-analytic findings revealed that, in comparison to non-maltreating parents, parents who are emotionally maltreating their children report higher levels of negative affect, depression, verbal aggression, and anger. We also found that in comparison to non-maltreating parents, emotionally maltreating parents report lower levels of emotional control, emotion regulation, and coping strategies.ConclusionsWe outline the theoretical and practical implications of these results, and emphasize how research into the etiology of child maltreatment may provide the basis for more effective prevention, screening, and treatment practices designed to eradicate emotional maltreatment.     

Children’s trauma-related symptoms following complex trauma exposure: Evidence of gender differences

Complex trauma exposure has been operationalized as multiple or chronic interpersonal traumas that begin early in life and is thought to result in widespread self-regulation difficulties across several domains of functioning. Prior research has demonstrated that there are gender differences in trauma exposure as well as trauma-related symptoms; however, gender discrepancies have not previously been examined in the context of child survivors of complex trauma. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there are gender differences in both caregiver and child-reported trauma exposure and symptoms among 167 children who have experienced complex trauma (3–18 years, M = 9.90, SD = 3.92; 61.67% female). Male children were somewhat more likely to have been exposed to domestic violence, while female children were more likely to have experienced sexual abuse as well as more likely to have been abused by a caregiver. Gender differences were observed for several of the caregiver-reported symptom domains, with female children exhibiting higher levels of depression, dissociation, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) hyperarousal symptoms, and total PTSD symptoms. Female children also self-reported higher levels of sexual concerns, and marginally more re-experiencing and total PTSD symptoms. Secondary analyses utilizing only children who experienced sexual abuse revealed that gender differences largely remained, again with females manifesting higher levels of symptoms. Thus, following complex trauma, female children may be at higher risk for trauma-related difficulties, which has implications for research and clinical interventions.     

The intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment: A three-level meta-analysis

A parental history of experiencing child maltreatment is an important risk factor in several etiological theories of child maltreatment. In the past, two reviews have been conducted on the available evidence for intergenerational continuity in child maltreatment, but were only qualitative in nature. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide a quantitative summary of the current knowledge on intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment. In our 3-level random-effects meta-analysis, we included 84 studies reporting on 285 effect sizes and found a medium summary effect of r = 0.289; 95% CI [0.257, 0.337], with significant variation in effect sizes within (level 2) and between (level 3) studies. This implies that in families of parents who experienced maltreatment in their own childhood, the odds of child maltreatment are almost three times the odds of child maltreatment in families of parents without a history of experiencing child maltreatment (OR = 2.990). However, as indications for bias were found, caution is warranted in interpreting this effect. Moderator analyses revealed that the effect of intergenerational transmission was the smallest in children who experienced physical abuse. Further, study quality was negatively associated with effect size magnitude. We highlight the need for an improvement in quality of primary research, and discuss implications of our findings for clinical practice.     

Men’s experiences of early life trauma and pathways into long-term homelessness

Previous studies that have explored the association between childhood trauma and homelessness indicate that traumatic events can lead to survivor distrust of interpersonal relationships and institutions, prolonged homelessness and poor health and social outcomes. The majority of this literature relies on quantitative data and fails to investigate the personal experiences of childhood trauma that are found to impact housing status later in life. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 men living in an urban area in Ontario who had spent more than 30 consecutive nights in an emergency shelter over the course of their housing histories. During data analysis, it was observed that all of the men had experienced some form of trauma or neglect in childhood which contributed to their entries into homelessness. Using a case study approach, three entry pathways into long term homelessness are described: 1) youth; 2) emerging or early adulthood; and 3) middle adulthood. Participants are classified into the pathways by the developmental period at which they first entered homelessness. These findings have implications for policy makers and service providers, as key intervention points are identified. Establishing effective interventions that address crises experienced at these points could assist with homelessness prevention across the life course.     

Initial teacher education and trauma and violence informed care in the classroom: Preliminary results from an online teacher education course

A trauma-and-violence-informed-care (TVIC) system within an educational setting provides a framework of practice that enables schools to become safe and inclusive places for some of the most vulnerable students. Initial teacher education may provide the opportunity to prepare teachers to create classrooms and learning experiences that are safe, equitable, and meet students' needs. A mandatory mental health literacy course for second year teacher candidates in a Bachelor of Education program (n = 287) at a large Canadian university introduced TVIC concepts. A case study approach was used to illustrate both the challenges that students exposed to trauma and/or violence can experience, as well as strategies and knowledge that teachers can use to support these students. This program evaluation used a repeated measures design to survey both attitudes toward trauma informed care for teachers and self-efficacy for teaching using inclusive practices before and after the course. A significant effect of time on both measures revealed an increase in both participants' attitudes toward TVIC and their self-efficacy in using inclusive teaching practices. These findings provide support for the inclusion of these important topics for all teacher candidates. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.     

心理咨询师的替代性心理创伤与应对

替代性心理创伤是心理咨询师经常体验到的间接性的心理创伤,移情能力、缺少经验和社会支持以及人类的场景偏好等因素是导致这种创伤的原因。此创伤会给心理咨询师带来消极情绪和认知、低效能感甚至职业退出等影响。所以自我调节、提高专业技能并与同行联系是应对替代性心理创伤的良好策略。     

心理咨询从业人员的替代性创伤现象调查

笔者在翻译和修订“治疗者信念量表”（TBS）的基础上,对220名心理咨询从业人员进行问卷调查。结果表明：修订后的TBS由单一因素构成,具有较好的信、效度指标,可用于测量治疗者的价值体系。不同从业经历被试的TBS总分比较显示,随着从业年份的增加,心理咨询从业人员的替代性创伤有逐渐上升的趋势。心理咨询从业人员的自身心理健康问题值得关注。     

从民俗学视野看女性在温州家族企业中的代际传承

中国民俗文化中＂重男轻女＂的思想对社会商业模式起着潜移默化的作用。家族企业传承中多为＂子承父业＂的模式。随着温州社会的进步与发展,加之温州女性勤劳与有智慧,女性不仅可以创业,而且还可以成为企业的传承人,女性在商业社会中的能力与地位逐渐得到社会认可。     

研究灾害与心理创伤 促进心理康复与和谐

减轻灾害带给人们的心理创伤,实现灾后心理康复是灾害心理学的使命。研究者们通过大规模流行病调查,确证了灾后心理创伤发生的广泛性。近10年来,在灾后心理创伤的诊断模型、脑与认知功能缺陷、神经生物学变化以及干预方法和效果等方面已取得重要进展。我国是灾害多发国家,灾害与心理创伤的研究将会有力提升全民预防和应对灾害的能力,因此,应在国家重大科技计划中部署灾害与心理创伤研究,通过凝练创伤应激反应的基础科学问题,推进灾害心理学学科建设,培养心理援助专业人才,以应对我国灾难发生后巨大的心理援助需求,也为制定灾害心理援助和灾后心理重建政策提供科学支撑,并带动我国社会生活中系列心理疾患问题的解决。