Automatic activation of alcohol cues by child maltreatment related words: a replication attempt in a different treatment setting

Abstract

BackgroundA growing body of research attempts to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the association between emotional maltreatment and alcohol dependence (AD). In a preceding study, we found considerable support for a specific priming effect in subjects with AD and emotional abuse experiences receiving alcohol rehabilitation treatment. We concluded that maltreatment related cues can automatically activate an associative memory network comprising cues eliciting craving as well as alcohol-related responses. Generalizability of the results to other treatment settings remains unclear because of considerable differences in German treatment settings as well as insufficiently clarified influences of selection effects. As replication studies in other settings are necessary, the current study aimed to replicate the specific priming effect in a qualified detoxification sample.Results22 AD subjects (n = 10 with emotional abuse vs. n = 12 without emotional abuse) participated in a priming experiment. Comparison data from 34 healthy control subjects were derived from the prior study. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find a specific priming effect.ConclusionsWe could not replicate the result of an automatic network activation by maltreatment related words in a sample of subjects with AD and emotional abuse experiences receiving qualified detoxification treatment. This discrepancy might be attributed to reasons related to treatment settings as well as to methodological limitations. Future work is required to determine the generalizability of the specific priming effect before valid conclusions regarding automatic activation can be drawn.

Assessing the Bacterial Community Composition of Bivalve Mollusks Collected in Aquaculture Farms and Respective Susceptibility to Antibiotics

“…These groups of bacteria, some of which are fish pathogens, are commonly found in aquatic environments [ 12 , 25 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 38 ]. All these bacteria were already associated with human infections, such as ear and eye infections, osteomyelitis, infective arthritis, endocarditis, bacteremia, meningitis, intestinal and urinary tract infections, brain abscess, peritonitis, enteritis and septicemia, and some are recognized as important agents in nosocomial infections [ 12 , 13 , 34 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Risk factors associated with maltreatment syndrome in Mexican children seen at the Emergency Department

“…C h i l d m a l t r e a t m e n t ( C M ) i s defined as any form of physical or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, negligence or neglect that results in physical or psychological harm and undermines children's dignity and development. 1 CM is followed by a behavior of social isolation, which is then associated with mental health problems, including suicidal ideation or attempt, 2,3 poor academic performance, being a victim of dating or domestic violence, 1 crime, [4][5][6] alcoholism, 7,8 and illegal drug use. 3,5,9 One of the main consequences in children who have suffered some type of abuse is that they become parents who maltreat their own children, 2 not only hitting or depriving them of their basic needs, but also continuing the contact with illegal drugs, such as marihuana, cocaine, and amphetamines, which is a global social problem.…”