Marcin Sekowski1, Malgorzata Gambin2, Andrzej Cudo3, Malgorzata Wozniak-Prus4, Francesca Penner5, Peter Fonagy6, Carla Sharp5. 1. Department of Psychology, The Maria Grzegorzewska University, ul. Szczesliwicka 40, 02-353 Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: mmsekowski@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw, ul Stawki 5/7, 00-183 Warsaw, Poland. 3. Department of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Raclawickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland. 4. Department of Psychology, The Maria Grzegorzewska University, ul. Szczesliwicka 40, 02-353 Warsaw, Poland. 5. Department of Psychology, University of Houston, 126 Heyne Building, Houston, TX, 77204. 6. Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, UK; Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Kantor Centre of Excellence 4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated positive relations between various forms of maltreatment and suicidal ideation in youth; however, mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. We propose that the experience of maltreatment in childhood may lead to high levels of generalized guilt and shame, resulting in an increase of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in adolescents. The aim of the current study was to test our model of relations between these constructs using path analysis. METHODS: 112 inpatient adolescents aged 12-17 years completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to measure various types of maltreatment, the Personal Feelings Questionnaire to evaluate generalized guilt and shame, the Beck Depression Inventory-II to assess depressive symptoms, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale to assess suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Findings partly confirmed the theoretical model. Indirect positive effects of sexual and emotional abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect on suicidal ideation via generalized self-conscious emotion and/or depression were demonstrated. In contrast to our predictions, indirect negative effects of physical abuse on suicidal thoughts via generalized guilt and shame and depression were found. LIMITATIONS: Sample characterized by predominately Caucasian inpatient adolescents from financially stable and well-educated environments, over-reliance on self-report measures and the lack of a longitudinal design were main limitations of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides novel information on the potential mechanisms underlying the association between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Generalized guilt and/or shame could be possible targets for interventions for victims of some forms of maltreatment to reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated positive relations between various forms of maltreatment and suicidal ideation in youth; however, mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. We propose that the experience of maltreatment in childhood may lead to high levels of generalized guilt and shame, resulting in an increase of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in adolescents. The aim of the current study was to test our model of relations between these constructs using path analysis. METHODS: 112 inpatient adolescents aged 12-17 years completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to measure various types of maltreatment, the Personal Feelings Questionnaire to evaluate generalized guilt and shame, the Beck Depression Inventory-II to assess depressive symptoms, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale to assess suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Findings partly confirmed the theoretical model. Indirect positive effects of sexual and emotional abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect on suicidal ideation via generalized self-conscious emotion and/or depression were demonstrated. In contrast to our predictions, indirect negative effects of physical abuse on suicidal thoughts via generalized guilt and shame and depression were found. LIMITATIONS: Sample characterized by predominately Caucasian inpatient adolescents from financially stable and well-educated environments, over-reliance on self-report measures and the lack of a longitudinal design were main limitations of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides novel information on the potential mechanisms underlying the association between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Generalized guilt and/or shame could be possible targets for interventions for victims of some forms of maltreatment to reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.
Authors: Anastacia Kudinova; Leslie A Brick; Christine Barthelemy; Heather A MacPherson; Gracie Jenkins; Lena DeYoung; Anna Gilbert; Petya Radoeva; Kerri Kim; Michael Armey; Daniel Dickstein Journal: Cogn Emot Date: 2022-01-25
Authors: A Irem Sonmez; Charles P Lewis; John D Port; Arjun P Athreya; Doo-Sop Choi; Michael J Zaccariello; Julia Shekunov; Caren J Blacker; Paul E Croarkin Journal: Biomark Neuropsychiatry Date: 2021-10-02