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Heliyon Nov 2023Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a substantial public health issue that is challenging to measure epidemiologically due to the "pact of silence" among those involved.... (Review)
Review
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a substantial public health issue that is challenging to measure epidemiologically due to the "pact of silence" among those involved. Validated tools could contribute to early recognition or risk detection for CSA. We aimed to systematically assess self-report tools' measurement properties and methodological quality that detect risk or exposure to CSA for children under twelve. The search strategy, selection criteria, data extraction, data analysis, and synthesis followed the COSMIN methodology for systematic reviews (2018). PROSPERO 2021 registration CRD42021278465. MEDLINE, COCHRANE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and ERIC were searched until August 2021, with an updated search on September 23, 2021, and unlimited by language. The inclusion criteria were: to assess risk or exposure to CSA under twelve years old by objective items and self-report tools; sexual violence risk or exposure in the domestic context; the application context should include health facilities (such as hospital emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, pediatric wards, psychology centers, social services), education (such as schools) and community; no language or date restriction. The exclusion criteria were: non-self-report tools studies, comprehensive articles, comments, editorials, expert opinions, and studies of projective techniques. The COSMIN risk of bias checklist was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Feasibility aspects were assessed. This study had no funding source; 29 studies describing eight tools met eligibility criteria. No single instrument reported all nine measurement properties outlined by the COSMIN methodology. The strength of the evidence was moderate to high for six out of eight instruments. ICAST-C and JVQ were the tools that obtained the highest number of rated measurement properties and strength of evidence.
PubMed: 38027830
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21027 -
Global Mental Health (Cambridge,... 2023Most family violence research has been conducted in high-income countries, although family violence rates are higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and... (Review)
Review
Most family violence research has been conducted in high-income countries, although family violence rates are higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and outcomes more severe. Given the strong associations of family violence with substance use and mental illness, the aim of this systematic review was to examine interventions that targeted familial violence and at least one other condition of substance use or mental illness to determine effective treatments in LMICs. We conducted a systematic review of interventions that addressed family violence and mental illness or substance use. A committee of three researchers independently screened titles and abstracts and conducted full-text eligibility assessments. Two researchers conducted a risk of bias assessment. Data were extracted using a structured spreadsheet and narratively synthesized. Our search identified 29 articles produced from 19 studies conducted in 13 LMICs. Most ( = 15) studies randomized to study condition. Lack of blinding was the most common threat. The external validity of studies was generally poor. Fourteen studies had a primary intervention target of family violence, mental health, substance use, economic improvement, or HIV. None of the studies showed improvements in all intervention areas. Child maltreatment was less likely to be addressed than intimate partner violence (IPV). Targeted interventions for substance and mental health mostly improved primary outcomes, although they were less effective in reducing IPV. Evidence-based treatments must be rigorously evaluated before innovations in implementation can occur. Interventions overwhelmingly addressed IPV victimization and should consider how to work with couples and include men and children.
PubMed: 38024805
DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2023.62 -
Cureus Oct 2023The potential interplay between domestic violence and masticatory outcomes in children and adolescents has garnered increasing attention. Understanding the association... (Review)
Review
The potential interplay between domestic violence and masticatory outcomes in children and adolescents has garnered increasing attention. Understanding the association between domestic abuse and specific oral health parameters, such as biting habits, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and bruxism, holds implications for holistic healthcare interventions. This systematic review aims to synthesize the available evidence to elucidate the potential relationships between domestic abuse and targeted oral health outcomes in the pediatric population. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across eight databases, namely, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Boolean operators and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords were strategically employed to optimize search precision. Clinical studies investigating the relationships between domestic abuse and TMDs, or bruxism, in children and adolescents were included. Two reviewers extracted the data independently. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the selected studies were critically appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The systematic search identified three papers investigating the associations between domestic abuse and the targeted oral health parameters. Children in the age group of 6-19 years were assessed. The synthesized evidence revealed a consistent association between domestic abuse and masticatory outcomes. Individuals subjected to domestic abuse exhibited a greater percentage of masticatory anomalies. The methodological assessment of the included studies showed good quality. This systematic review provides a notable synthesis of evidence regarding the associations between domestic abuse and masticatory outcomes in children and adolescents. The complex nature of these relationships necessitates further research to unravel the underlying mechanisms and establish causality. The insights from this review highlight the significance of integrating abuse assessment within oral health evaluations and underscore the need for interdisciplinary collaborations to address the potential impact of abusive experiences on the oral health and well-being of the pediatric population.
PubMed: 37954731
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46764 -
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Dec 2023Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) has the potential to shed light on how childhood abuse and neglect relates to negative psychiatric outcomes. However, a... (Review)
Review
Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) has the potential to shed light on how childhood abuse and neglect relates to negative psychiatric outcomes. However, a comprehensive review of the impact of childhood maltreatment on the brain's resting state functional organization has not yet been undertaken. We systematically searched rsFC studies in children and youth exposed to maltreatment. Nineteen studies (total n = 3079) met our inclusion criteria. Two consistent findings were observed. Childhood maltreatment was linked to reduced connectivity between the anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and with widespread heightened amygdala connectivity with key structures in the salience, default mode, and prefrontal regulatory networks. Other brain regions showing altered connectivity included the ventral anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. These patterns of altered functional connectivity associated with maltreatment exposure were independent of symptoms, yet comparable to those seen in individuals with overt clinical disorder. Summative findings indicate that rsFC alterations associated with maltreatment experience are related to poor cognitive and social functioning and are prognostic of future symptoms. In conclusion, maltreatment is associated with altered rsFC in emotional reactivity, regulation, learning, and salience detection brain circuits. This indicates patterns of recalibration of putative mechanisms implicated in maladaptive developmental outcomes.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Child; Brain; Amygdala; Brain Mapping; Gyrus Cinguli; Child Abuse; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37952287
DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101322 -
Child Abuse & Neglect Dec 2023Violence against children can have extensive, long-term, and far-reaching adverse impacts on survivors and society. There is currently little consensus in the United... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Violence against children can have extensive, long-term, and far-reaching adverse impacts on survivors and society. There is currently little consensus in the United Kingdom around the prevalence of violence against children: maltreatment, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, bullying, and community violence, and most existing studies focus on only a single or a few forms of violence. This study aims to produce data to highlight the current magnitude of the problem in the UK, to inform policy, drive action and allow for monitoring of progress over time.
OBJECTIVE
To produce weighted prevalence estimates by violence type, as well as gender and age sub-categories, to give as full a picture as possible of the current prevalence of violence against children in the UK.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
The prevalence of violence against children from 23 self-report studies conducted in the United Kingdom was gathered through a systematic review.
METHODS
Databases were searched from inception to 24th June 2022. Studies were reviewed systematically for appropriate data and meta-analyses were conducted to give pooled prevalence data based on a quality effects model.
RESULTS
The most prevalent self-reported experience of childhood violence was community violence at 27.33 % (95 % CI [9.84, 48.97]). Prevalence of bullying was also high at 22.75 % (95 % CI [13.25, 33.86]). The most prevalent forms of child maltreatment were domestic violence exposure at 11.9 % (95 % CI [6.34, 18.84]) and emotional maltreatment at 11.84 % (95 % CI [5.58, 19.89]).
CONCLUSION
National child maltreatment surveys are needed in the UK, using a comprehensive and conceptually robust approach, and valid and reliable instruments, to provide data for researchers and policymakers on the prevalence of all types of violence against children including exposure to multiple types. This allows monitoring of trends over time, can inform strategies for prevention, and can enable monitoring of future progress in reducing violence against children and its associated health and economic burden.
Topics: Humans; Child; Prevalence; Domestic Violence; Child Abuse; Intimate Partner Violence; United Kingdom
PubMed: 37944361
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106518 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2023Exposure to rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse has lifelong impacts for mental health and well-being. Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Exposure to rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse has lifelong impacts for mental health and well-being. Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) are among the most common interventions offered to survivors to alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological impacts. Beyond such trauma-focused cognitive and behavioural approaches, there is a range of low-intensity interventions along with new and emerging non-exposure based approaches (trauma-sensitive yoga, Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories and Lifespan Integration). This review presents a timely assessment of international evidence on any type of psychosocial intervention offered to individuals who experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse as adults.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of psychosocial interventions on mental health and well-being for survivors of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse experienced during adulthood.
SEARCH METHODS
In January 2022, we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, 12 other databases and three trials registers. We also checked reference lists of included studies, contacted authors and experts, and ran forward citation searches.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Any study that allocated individuals or clusters of individuals by a random or quasi-random method to a psychosocial intervention that promoted recovery and healing following exposure to rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse in those aged 18 years and above compared with no or minimal intervention, usual care, wait-list, pharmacological only or active comparison(s). We classified psychosocial interventions according to Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Group's psychological therapies list.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 36 studies (1991 to 2021) with 3992 participants randomly assigned to 60 experimental groups (3014; 76%) and 23 inactive comparator conditions (978, 24%). The experimental groups consisted of: 32 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); 10 behavioural interventions; three integrative therapies; three humanist; five other psychologically oriented interventions; and seven other psychosocial interventions. Delivery involved 1 to 20 (median 11) sessions of traditional face-to-face (41) or other individual formats (four); groups (nine); or involved computer-only interaction (six). Most studies were conducted in the USA (n = 26); two were from South Africa; two from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; with single studies from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Five studies did not disclose a funding source, and all disclosed sources were public funding. Participants were invited from a range of settings: from the community, through the media, from universities and in places where people might seek help for their mental health (e.g. war veterans), in the aftermath of sexual trauma (sexual assault centres and emergency departments) or for problems that accompany the experience of sexual violence (e.g. sexual health/primary care clinics). Participants randomised were 99% women (3965 participants) with just 27 men. Half were Black, African or African-American (1889 participants); 40% White/Caucasian (1530 participants); and 10% represented a range of other ethnic backgrounds (396 participants). The weighted mean age was 35.9 years (standard deviation (SD) 9.6). Eighty-two per cent had experienced rape or sexual assault in adulthood (3260/3992). Twenty-two studies (61%) required fulfilling a measured PTSD diagnostic threshold for inclusion; however, 94% of participants (2239/2370) were reported as having clinically relevant PTSD symptoms at entry. The comparison of psychosocial interventions with inactive controls detected that there may be a beneficial effect at post-treatment favouring psychosocial interventions in reducing PTSD (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.22 to -0.44; 16 studies, 1130 participants; low-certainty evidence; large effect size based on Cohen's D); and depression (SMD -0.82, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.48; 12 studies, 901 participants; low-certainty evidence; large effect size). Psychosocial interventions, however, may not increase the risk of dropout from treatment compared to controls, with a risk ratio of 0.85 (95% CI 0.51 to 1.44; 5 studies, 242 participants; low-certainty evidence). Seven of the 23 studies (with 801 participants) comparing a psychosocial intervention to an inactive control reported on adverse events, with 21 events indicated. Psychosocial interventions may not increase the risk of adverse events compared to controls, with a risk ratio of 1.92 (95% CI 0.30 to 12.41; 6 studies; 622 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We conducted an assessment of risk of bias using the RoB 2 tool on a total of 49 reported results. A high risk of bias affected 43% of PTSD results; 59% for depression symptoms; 40% for treatment dropout; and one-third for adverse events. The greatest sources of bias were problems with randomisation and missing outcome data. Heterogeneity was also high, ranging from I = 30% (adverse events) to I = 87% (PTSD).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Our review suggests that survivors of rape, sexual violence and sexual abuse during adulthood may experience a large reduction in post-treatment PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms after experiencing a psychosocial intervention, relative to comparison groups. Psychosocial interventions do not seem to increase dropout from treatment or adverse events/effects compared to controls. However, the number of dropouts and study attrition were generally high, potentially missing harms of exposure to interventions and/or research participation. Also, the differential effects of specific intervention types needs further investigation. We conclude that a range of behavioural and CBT-based interventions may improve the mental health of survivors of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse in the short term. Therefore, the needs and preferences of individuals must be considered in selecting suitable approaches to therapy and support. The primary outcome in this review focused on the post-treatment period and the question about whether benefits are sustained over time persists. However, attaining such evidence from studies that lack an active comparison may be impractical and even unethical. Thus, we suggest that studies undertake head-to-head comparisons of different intervention types; in particular, of novel, emerging therapies, with one-year plus follow-up periods. Additionally, researchers should focus on the therapeutic benefits and costs for subpopulations such as male survivors and those living with complex PTSD.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Behavior Therapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Psychosocial Intervention; Psychotherapy; Rape
PubMed: 37795783
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013456.pub2 -
Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks,... Mar 2024It has been suggested that central sensitization (CS) may be involved in the failure of standard medical and surgical treatment to relieve endometriosis-related pain.... (Review)
Review
It has been suggested that central sensitization (CS) may be involved in the failure of standard medical and surgical treatment to relieve endometriosis-related pain. However, there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of CS, and self-reported questionnaires are used as diagnostic surrogates. The main objective of this review was to identify all CS questionnaires used in clinical endometriosis studies. The secondary objective was to qualitatively analyze strengths and weaknesses of each questionnaire. A PubMed and EMBASE systematic literature search conducted in April 2023 using the terms "endometriosis; central pain; central sensitization; questionnaire; patient-reported outcome measure; screening tool" identified 122 publications: six articles were included in the review. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is the most frequently used questionnaire for the detection of CS in patients with endometriosis. It has been validated in patients with endometriosis, in whom it appears to have good psychometric proprieties. The Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire (FSQ) has also been used, although it has not been specifically validated in endometriosis patients. The debate regarding these questionnaires' construct validity is still open and will be so until a gold standard diagnostic tool for CS is found. In fact, some authors argue these questionnaires are measuring psychological vulnerability and a hypervigilant state that is associated with pain, rather than CS itself. However, their use should not be discouraged as they are able to identify chronic pain patients which warrant further attention and who may benefit from broader treatment strategies.
Topics: Female; Humans; Central Nervous System Sensitization; Endometriosis; Chronic Pain; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Report
PubMed: 37751146
DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01343-4 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Jul 2024This review aimed to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and trait narcissism, and whether the strength of this relationship... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This review aimed to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and trait narcissism, and whether the strength of this relationship differs depending on narcissism type (grandiose or vulnerable), the type of violence perpetrated, or the perpetrator's gender. Scopus, Medline, PsycInfo, and Academic Search Complete databases were searched on August 11, 2022. Studies were included if they were in English, measured IPV perpetration and trait narcissism, and examined the relationship between trait narcissism and IPV perpetration. Studies were excluded if they were review papers, conference extracts, book chapters, or if the data was not specific to trait narcissism. The AXIS tool was used to assess the quality and risk of bias of the studies. Twenty-two studies ( = 11,520 participants) were included in the random effects meta-analysis revealing a significant, weak, positive relationship between trait narcissism and IPV perpetration, = .15. Subgroup analyses revealed physical IPV perpetration was not significantly related to trait narcissism while cyber and psychological IPV perpetration were significantly, positively, weakly related to trait narcissism. No significant difference in the strength of the relationship with IPV perpetration was found between males and females. The relationship between trait narcissism and IPV perpetration was significantly greater for vulnerable narcissism than grandiose narcissism. Overall, the quality of the included studies was high, and risk of bias was low. All measures were self-report and underreporting could be present given both narcissistic traits and IPV perpetration are considered socially undesirable. Future research examining these relationships should specify IPV and narcissism types.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Intimate Partner Violence; Narcissism
PubMed: 37702183
DOI: 10.1177/15248380231196115 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Sep 2023Studying severe acute maternal morbidity in the intensive care unit improves our understanding of potential factors affecting maternal health.
BACKGROUND
Studying severe acute maternal morbidity in the intensive care unit improves our understanding of potential factors affecting maternal health.
AIM
To review evidence on maternal exposure to intimate partner violence and social determinants of health in women with severe acute maternal morbidity in the intensive care unit.
METHODS
The protocol for this review was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42016037492). A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, ProQuest, LILACS and SciELO using the search terms "intensive care unit", "intensive care", "critical care" and "critically ill" in combination with "intimate partner violence", "social determinants of health", "severe acute maternal morbidity", pregnancy, postpartum and other similar terms. Eligible studies were (i) quantitative, (ii) published in English and Spanish, (iii) from 2000 to 2021, (iv) with data related to intimate partner violence and/or social determinants of health, and (v) investigating severe acute maternal morbidity (maternity patients treated in the intensive care unit during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination). Of 52,866 studies initially identified, 1087 full texts were assessed and 156 studies included. Studies were independently assessed by two reviewers for screening, revision, quality assessment and abstracted data. Studies were categorised into high/middle/low-income countries and summarised data were presented using a narrative description, due to heterogenic data as: (i) exposure to intimate partner violence and (ii) social determinants of health.
RESULTS
One study assessed intimate partner violence among mothers with severe acute maternal morbidity in the intensive care unit and found that women exposed to intimate partner violence before and during pregnancy had a nearly four-fold risk of severe acute maternal morbidity requiring ICU admission. Few social determinants of health other than age were reported in most studies.
CONCLUSION
This review identified a significant gap in knowledge concerning intimate partner violence and social determinants of health in women with severe acute maternal morbidity in the intensive care unit, which is essential to better understand the complete picture of the maternal morbidity spectrum and reduce maternal mortality.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Social Determinants of Health; Intensive Care Units; Critical Care; Intimate Partner Violence; Mothers
PubMed: 37700244
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05927-5 -
Psychological risks experienced by interpreters in the domestic violence cases: a systematic review.Frontiers in Sociology 2023Interpreters occupy a complex position in police interviews involving domestic violence cases-neutral but necessary parties to traumatic content. The following... (Review)
Review
Interpreters occupy a complex position in police interviews involving domestic violence cases-neutral but necessary parties to traumatic content. The following systematic review explores the relatively sparse scholarly literature on interpreters' psychological responses to being a party to domestic violence interviews in a policing context. This article aims to explore themes of relevant studies targeting interpreters' mental health in such cases, with nine articles emerging from a comprehensive search of eight databases supplemented with a Google Scholar search. Various themes involving interpreters emerged from the ensuing analysis, including intrinsic difficulties, misguided expectations, role requirements, psychological impacts, posttraumatic growth, coping strategies, and recommendations for future research and practice, with findings holding implications for interpreting in other traumatic domains.
PubMed: 37664822
DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2023.1139431