Childhood maltreatment and adult mental health

Abstract

Background: The relationship between reported childhood maltreatment and general psychological and post-traumatic distress was examined in a sample of 551 adults from different risk samples. Aims: Exposure to childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form, which detects physical, emotional and sexual abuse and past physical and emotional neglect. Methods: The participants’ current levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and general psychological stress symptoms were measured with the Impact of Event Scale – Revised and the Symptom Checklist 90 – Revised, respectively. Results: The results reveal a high prevalence of reported childhood maltreatment in both men and women, and the severity levels of the five types of childhood maltreatment showed significant associations with the extent of current post-traumatic and general psychological distress. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for appropriate procedures for identifying childhood maltreatment.

• Childhood maltreatment
• General psychological distress
• Post-traumatic stress symptoms
• Risk samples

Declaration of interest: This study was supported by the National Program for Integrated Clinical Specialist and PhD-training for Psychologists in Norway. The Program is a joint cooperation between the universities of Bergen, Oslo, Tromsø, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Trondheim), the Regional Health Authorities, and the Norwegian Psychological Association. The Program is funded jointly by the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Health and Care Services.