- DeRosse, P., Ikuta, T., Karlsgodt, K. H., Szeszko, P. R., & Malhotra, A. K.
- Brain Imaging and Behavior (2020)
In this study, DeRosse and colleagues examined whether self-reported experience of childhood maltreatment is linked to the quality of the connections between two key areas of the brain involved in processing rewards (the orbitofrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens).
A large group of adults (n=122) without current or a past history of mental health problems, underwent a Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) scan. This is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based technique used to get detailed information about the neural tissues through which messages pass between different areas of the brain.
The researchers found that, after taking into account the effects of age and sex, a history of maltreatment was associated with poorer structural connections between the nucleus accumbens with the orbitofrontal cortex.
Moreover, subsequent analyses showed that the overall severity of childhood trauma, rather than a specific type of maltreatment, drove this result. These findings indicate that early experiences of maltreatment may reduce the quality of the neural connections between brain regions that are central to reward processing.
This is consistent with behavioural studies and with the functional neuroimaging literature which shows that a history of abuse and neglect is associated with alterations in brain activity during reward processing and associative learning.
This study, therefore, contributes to the growing literature which suggests that early adverse experiences can lead to long-lasting alterations in reward processing, with potential impact on physical and mental health outcomes.
- Research Round Up Q1-2|2020, UKTC
MORE STUDIES
Identifying psychological pathways to polyvictimization: evidence from a longitudinal cohort study of twins from the UK
- Tanksley, P. T., Barnes, J. C., Boutwell, B. B., Arseneault, L., Caspi, A., Danese, A., … Moffitt, T. E.
- Journal of Experimental Criminology (2020)
Individuals with a history of multiple forms of victimisation (i.e. polyvictimisation), including childhood maltreatment, are more likely to experience further victimisation and stressful life events in the future.
Previously, researchers identified four potential pathways to such polyvictimisation: (1) living in a dangerous neighbourhood, (2) living in a dangerous family, (3) living in a chaotic or multiproblem family, and (4) having emotional and psychological symptoms.
While the first three pathways suggest ecological processes, the fourth pathway implies that individual characteristics may increase vulnerability to victimisation and stressful life events across contexts. For example, the ability to perceive, anticipate, and avoid personal victimisation before it occurs may represent an individual protective factor. Using longitudinal data (n = 1986) from a twin study, Tanksley and colleagues (2020) examined the extent to which certain individual characteristics predict later victimisation.
In particular, they explored the possible role of cognitive factors (general cognitive ability, theory of mind, self-control) and psychological symptoms (internalising and externalising psychopathology symptoms). They found that self-control, symptoms of conduct disorder, and anxiety were all related to polyvictimisation even after partially taking into account statistically for the role of family environment and genetic factors. After fully accounting for genetic factors, only self-control was a statistically significant predictor of polyvictimisation. In other words, the authors report a striking finding – that self-control is an individual protective factor that may reduce vulnerability to further victimisation despite early adverse experiences.
- Research Round Up Q1-2|2020, UKTC
Time-Dependent Effects of Exposure to Physical and Sexual Violence on Psychopathology Symptoms in Late Childhood: In Search of Sensitive Periods in Development
- Dunn, E. C., Nishimi, K., Neumann, A., Renaud, A., Cecil, C. A. M., Susser, E. S., & Tiemeier, H.
- Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2020)
Exposure to childhood maltreatment during development is associated with greater risk of psychopathology regardless of when it occurs. However, it is unclear whether there are time windows during development (known as sensitive periods) during which the harmful impact of early adverse experiences may be particularly potent.
In their recent study, Dunn and colleagues performed analysis on a large sample (n= 4,580) to determine if there are time periods during which exposure to physical and sexual abuse are associated with a greater incidence of mental health difficulties.
Timing of childhood abuse exposure was categorised by age of first exposure – very early (0−3 years), early (4−5 years), middle (6−7 years), and late (8+ years) childhood. In line with previous studies, childhood abuse exposure at any age was linked with increased internalising and externalising symptoms at 10 years of age.
Moreover, the researchers found that very early childhood abuse exposure results in worse mental health outcomes. Further analyses suggested a latency between onset of maltreatment exposure and emergence of symptoms.
In summary, the results of this study suggest that childhood abuse increases the risk of later mental health problems irrespective of the developmental time-window in which it occurs. However, very early childhood may be a particularly sensitive period.
- Research Round Up Q1-2|2020, UKTC
The UK Trauma Council (UKTC) creates evidence-based resources to improve professionals and carers’ understanding of the nature and impact of trauma. The council is made up of a group of leading experts from a variety of disciplines representing children’s health and wellbeing organisations and hosted by the Anna Freud Centre. It aims to better equip all those supporting children and young people exposed to trauma.
The UKTC produces a quarterly research round up series to bridge the gap between academic researchers and busy professionals. These brief summaries are drawn from UKTC research briefings published in 2020. They are licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0.
Read more in CYP Now's special report on trauma-informed practice
