People maltreated as children tend to have more severe sleep problems, study finds
Youths with childhood maltreatment—particularly emotional and sexual abuse—experience more sleep problems, mediated by impaired emotion regulation strategies, such as reduced cognitive reappraisal and increased expressive suppression.
Childhood neglect linked to slower working memory development, study finds
Childhood neglect, but not abuse, is linked to slower working memory development from adolescence into young adulthood. While executive functions improve generally, those neglected show a more gradual increase in working memory. This study highlights the unique impact of neglect...
Romantic breakups linked to lower hippocampal brain volume in adults with childhood trauma
Childhood maltreatment alone showed no effect on hippocampal size, but individuals with maltreatment and a romantic breakup had smaller hippocampal volumes, highlighting how later-life stress can exacerbate early trauma's impact on brain structure.
Adverse childhood experiences linked to increased defensive gun use through heightened threat sensitivity
New research suggests that adverse childhood experiences increase defensive gun use by heightening sensitivity to perceived threats.
Childhood neglect is linked to troubling health outcomes, but two factors can dramatically change this trajectory, study suggests
Childhood neglect is associated with worse physical and mental health in adulthood, but having a supportive adult in childhood and higher socioeconomic status is linked to fewer negative health outcomes, highlighting the importance of protective relationships and stability.
Childhood emotional abuse linked to workplace conflicts in power-seeking employees
Employees who experienced childhood emotional abuse and strongly seek power at work tend to report more conflicts and feel more ostracized, highlighting potential links between early trauma, power dynamics, and workplace relationships.
Childhood maltreatment alters serotonin and dopamine receptor systems in primates, study finds
Early maltreatment in rhesus macaques reduced serotonin and dopamine receptor binding in key brain regions during adolescence, highlighting how adverse caregiving affects neural development and suggesting long-term impacts on mood regulation.
Secure attachment linked to lower PTSD symptoms in children, study finds
A recent study found a link between secure attachment and lower PTSD symptoms, while insecure attachment correlated with higher symptoms. These findings emphasize the potential importance of attachment styles in understanding responses to childhood trauma.
Study links infant temperament, ADHD symptoms, and childhood maltreatment
Infant negative emotionality is associated with childhood maltreatment at ages 5 and 9 and ADHD symptoms at 5. ADHD symptoms at 5 increase maltreatment risk at 9, while maltreatment at 9 correlates with more severe ADHD symptoms at the same...
Childhood adversity may blunt brain development rather than speed it up
A study has found that early-life family stressors, like harsh parenting and unsafe neighborhoods, are linked to smaller amygdala volumes and disrupted anterior cingulate cortex development, suggesting stress-related blunting rather than accelerated brain maturation.
Vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation linked to binge-watching
Recent research found that childhood emotional abuse is linked to increased binge-watching tendencies in young adults, with vulnerable narcissism and emotion dysregulation acting as potential mediating factors influencing this behavior.
People whose parents suffered from substance use disorders are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders
Children of parents with substance use disorders face a significantly higher risk of psychiatric diagnoses, with males at 80% and females at 56% increased risk.
Study examines how early experiences shape our mental health trajectory
Adverse childhood experiences can lead to adult symptoms of anxiety and depression, mediated by life history strategies, according to a study published in Biodemography & Social Biology.
Early life stress predicts negative emotionality and inflammation in alcohol use disorder
Emotional distress and inflammation are more prominent in alcohol use disorder patients with a history of childhood stress, such as abuse or neglect, according to new research.
Surprising link between childhood adversity and malevolent creativity revealed in new study
Adverse childhood experiences are linked to increased malevolent creativity in young adulthood. However, empathy and social support may reduce this tendency
