Childhood Maltreatment, Adult Attachment, and Depression as Predictors of Parental Self-Efficacy in At-Risk Mothers

Abstract Background Preparatory behaviors (intention to use and buy/get condoms) are extremely important for sexual protection among African women, because the intentions to use and get condoms are the best predictors of effective condom use in some African contexts. However, these preventive behaviors are not as successful as desired, because they are often associated with negative meanings in the context of the sexual relationship. This study aims to identify whether condom negotiation self-efficacy is associated with sexual preparatory behaviors among Mozambican women at risk for HIV/AIDS infection. Methods Women (173), patients at a public Hospital and at risk for HIV infection, completed measures of sociodemographic and marital characteristics, condom negotiation self-efficacy, and sexual preparatory behaviors. Results Socio-demographic variables (age and education) explained 16.1% of variance (ΔF(2, 170)=16.30, p <.001), and marital variables, “marital status” and “talking about AIDS with partner” explained 22.3% of additional variance (ΔF(2, 168)=30.36, p <.001) in preparatory behaviors. The final model with condom negotiation self-efficacy explained 11.7% of additional variance (ΔF(1, 167)= 39.14, p <.001), this being the most important correlate in the model (β = .48). We observed that higher condom negotiation self-efficacy is associated with higher levels of preparatory behaviors. The overall model explained 48.6% of variance in sexual preparatory behaviors. Conclusions These results seem to support an exploratory predictive model of sexual preparatory behaviors that can inform interventions directed at behavioral change among Mozambican women at sexual risk. Key messages Women who were younger, had a higher level of education, were single, and talked about AIDS, had higher levels of preparatory behaviors. Women who had a higher level of condom negotiation self-efficacy, had higher levels of preparatory behaviors.

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Mothers’ Personal and Interpersonal Function as Potential Mediators Between Maternal Maltreatment History and Child Behavior Problems

Child Maltreatment ◽

10.1177/1077559517734937 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 147-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jessica Pereira ◽

Jaclyn A. Ludmer ◽

Andrea Gonzalez ◽

Leslie Atkinson

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Child Behavior ◽

Adult Attachment ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Community Sample ◽

Maternal Sensitivity ◽

Behavioral Observation ◽

Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽

Avoidant Attachment

This study examined maternal depressive symptoms, social support, parenting, and adult attachment as mediators explaining the relation between maternal childhood maltreatment and child behavior in offspring. We assessed a community sample of 96 mother–child dyads. At child age 16 months, mothers self-reported maltreatment history, adult attachment, depressive symptoms, and social support, and maternal sensitivity was assessed via 2 hr of direct behavioral observation. Maternal reports of child behavior were collected at 5 years. Single and parallel mediation models were constructed. Only maternal depressive symptoms mediated the relation between maternal maltreatment history and children’s internalizing problems. Maternal sensitivity emerged as a suppressor variable. With respect to the relation between maternal maltreatment history and children’s externalizing problems, when entered singly, maternal depressive symptoms, social support, and avoidant attachment emerged as mediators. When examined in parallel, only maternal depressive symptoms and avoidant attachment accounted for unique mediating variance. Findings have implications with respect to important maternal factors that might be targeted to reduce the probability of maladaptive child behavior.

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Application of Hellison's Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model in Physical Education to Improve Self-Efficacy for Adolescents at Risk of Dropping-out of School

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1017/s113874160000233x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 667-676 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Amparo Escartí ◽

Melchor Gutiérrez ◽

Carmina Pascual ◽

Diana Marín

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Physical Education ◽

Social Responsibility ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Dropping Out ◽

Personal And Social Responsibility ◽

Responsibility Model ◽

At Risk Adolescents ◽

Out Of School

This study evaluated improvement in self-efficacy and personal and social responsibility among at-risk of dropping-out of school adolescents participating in a program in which Hellison's Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model was applied in physical education classes during the course of an academic year. Thirty at-risk adolescents aged 13-14 years old (23 boys, 7 girls) were assigned to an intervention group (12 boys and 3 girls) or a comparison group (11 boys, 4 girls), the latter of which did not participate in the program. Quantitative results showed a significant improvement in the students' self-efficacy for enlisting social resources and in self-efficacy for self-regulated learning. Qualitative results showed an improvement in responsibility behaviors of participants in the intervention group. This suggests that the model could be effective for improving psychological and social development in at-risk adolescents, and that physical education classes may be an appropriate arena for working with these young people.

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The Role of Maternal Self-efficacy in the Link Between Childhood Maltreatment and Maternal Stress During Transition to Motherhood

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/08862605211042871 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052110428

Author(s):

Gabriella Bentley ◽

Osnat Zamir

Keyword(s):

Childhood Abuse ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Parental Stress ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Self Report ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

Transition To Motherhood ◽

History Of

The transition to motherhood is a significant developmental milestone in many women’s lives. This transitional period may be more stressful for women with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) than for women without such a history. This study tested whether parental self-efficacy (PSE) accounts for the link between CM and parental stress in mothers transitioning to motherhood. The study used a convenience sample of 1,306 first-time mothers of children aged two years or younger. Mothers filled out online self-report questionnaires assessing history of CM, PSE, and prenatal stress. Consistent with the hypotheses, exposure to CM was directly associated with greater parental stress. Also, PSE partially mediated the associations between CM and parental stress, such that mothers with a history of childhood abuse reported a lower level of PSE, which in turn was associated with greater parental stress. In conclusion, the study highlights the important role of negative cognitions related to parenting for maternal dysfunction following exposure to childhood abuse. These findings suggest a need to incorporate preventive interventions designed to promote PSE for mothers exposed to CM. Such programs may alleviate parental stress and further support the healthy development of the child.

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Academic performance of secondary education students in socio-familial risk contexts

Suma Psicológica ◽

10.14349/sumapsi.2021.v28.n2.5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽

◽

Remedios Guzmán ◽

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Secondary Education ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

At Risk Students ◽

Familial Risk ◽

Course Evaluation ◽

Self Concept ◽

Cognitive Variables ◽

Not At Risk

Introduction: The relationship that socio-familial and non-cognitive variables have on students in regards to their academic performance is a very important element for success in Secondary Education. In this study the influence of non-cognitive variables (academic self-concept, self-efficacy and perceived family affective support) and socio-familial variables (educational level and expectations of each parent) on the academic performance of secondary school students were analysed. Method: Students were grouped according to their accumulated socio-familial risk index (at-risk students, n = 305; not-at-risk students, n = 991). To measure the variables, the scales What do you think of yourself, General Self-Efficacy and Perceived Family Support were used. Socio-family variables were measured with an ad hoc questionnaire, and academic performance with the end-of-course evaluation scores. Results: The receiver operating characteristic curve showed a decrease in students’ academic performance from three or more accumulated risks. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was performed for each group. The results showed that for at-risk students, academic performance was mainly determined by two variables: academic self-concept and self-concept; in contrast to the not-at-risk students in which self-efficacy was the one that had the greatest effect on performance. In both groups, the parents’ expectations were the family variable with the highest incidence being performance, although, for the at-risk group, the effect was greater. Conclusions: The relevance of the identification of non-cognitive and socio-familial variables on the academic performance of at-risk students in regards to secondary education due to socio-familial factors is discussed.

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Preliminary Impacts of an HIV-Prevention Program Targeting Out-of-School Youth in Postconflict Liberia

Global Pediatric Health ◽

10.1177/2333794x18754452 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 2333794X1875445

Author(s):

Stephen B. Kennedy ◽

Katherine Atwood ◽

Albert O. Harris ◽

Curtis H. Taylor ◽

Steve Shamblen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sexual Risk Taking ◽

Community Based ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Condom Attitudes

Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa account for greater HIV/STI (human immuno defiency virus/sexually transmitted infection) burdens and difficult-to-reach populations. This study implemented a community-based HIV/STI program to reach at-risk youth aged 15 to 17 years in postconflict Liberia. Using a randomized controlled trial, community youths were assigned to an adapted version of an effective HIV/STI program, Making Proud Choices, or attention-matched comparison curriculum, General Health Program. Both programs were of similar doses, reach and coverage, and administered in classroom settings by trained health educators. The findings suggest that the adapted HIV/STI program had positive effects on knowledge, sexual refusal and condom use self-efficacy, condom negotiation self-efficacy, positive condom attitudes, parental communication about sex, and negative condom attitudes over time. Culturally adapted community-based, behavioral-driven programs can positively affect mediators of sexual behaviors in at-risk adolescents in postconflict settings. This is the first published report of an evidence-based HIV/STI program on sexual risk-taking behaviors of community youths in Liberia.

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Childhood trauma and being at-risk for psychosis are associated with higher peripheral endocannabinoids

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291719001946 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (11) ◽

pp. 1862-1871 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E. Appiah-Kusi ◽

R. Wilson ◽

M. Colizzi ◽

E. Foglia ◽

E. Klamerus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Endocannabinoid System ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of

AbstractBackgroundEvidence has been accumulating regarding alterations in components of the endocannabinoid system in patients with psychosis. Of all the putative risk factors associated with psychosis, being at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR) has the strongest association with the onset of psychosis, and exposure to childhood trauma has been linked to an increased risk of development of psychotic disorder. We aimed to investigate whether being at-risk for psychosis and exposure to childhood trauma were associated with altered endocannabinoid levels.MethodWe compared 33 CHR participants with 58 healthy controls (HC) and collected information about previous exposure to childhood trauma as well as plasma samples to analyse endocannabinoid levels.ResultsIndividuals with both CHR and experience of childhood trauma had higher N-palmitoylethanolamine (p < 0.001) and anandamide (p < 0.001) levels in peripheral blood compared to HC and those with no childhood trauma. There was also a significant correlation between N-palmitoylethanolamine levels and symptoms as well as childhood trauma.ConclusionsOur results suggest an association between CHR and/or childhood maltreatment and elevated endocannabinoid levels in peripheral blood, with a greater alteration in those with both CHR status and history of childhood maltreatment compared to those with either of those risks alone. Furthermore, endocannabinoid levels increased linearly with the number of risk factors and elevated endocannabinoid levels correlated with the severity of CHR symptoms and extent of childhood maltreatment. Further studies in larger cohorts, employing longitudinal designs are needed to confirm these findings and delineate the precise role of endocannabinoid alterations in the pathophysiology of psychosis.

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Early-life adversities and adult attachment in depression and alexithymia

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579420000607 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Jani Kajanoja ◽

Max Karukivi ◽

Noora M. Scheinin ◽

Hanna Ahrnberg ◽

Linnea Karlsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attachment Style ◽

Adult Attachment ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Early Life ◽

Attachment Anxiety ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Emotional Neglect ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Adult Attachment Style ◽

Personality Construct

Abstract Alexithymia is a personality construct characterized by difficulties in identifying and verbalizing feelings, a restricted imagination, and an externally oriented thinking style. As alexithymia shows marked overlap with depression, its independent nature as a personality construct is still being debated. The etiology of alexithymia is unknown, although childhood emotional neglect and attachment formation are thought to play important roles. In the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, experiences of early-life adversities (EA) and childhood maltreatment (CM) were studied in a sample of 2,604 men and women. The overlap and differences between depression and alexithymia were investigated by comparing their associations with EA types and adult attachment style. Alexithymia was specifically associated with childhood emotional neglect (odds ratio (OR) 3.8, p < .001), whereas depression was related to several types of EA. In depression co-occurring with alexithymia, there was a higher prevalence of emotional neglect (81.3% vs. 54.4%, p < .001), attachment anxiety (t = 2.38, p = .018), and attachment avoidance (t = 4.03, p < .001). Early-life adversities were markedly different in the alexithymia group compared to those suffering from depression, or healthy controls. Depression with concurrent alexithymia may represent a distinct subtype, specifically associated with childhood experiences of emotional neglect, and increased attachment insecurity compared to non-alexithymic depression.

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