Childhood sexual abuse and the risk for recurrent major depression in Chinese women

Abstract

BackgroundStudies in Western countries have repeatedly shown that women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are at increased risk for developing major depression (MD). Would this relationship be found in China?MethodThree levels of CSA (non-genital, genital, and intercourse) were assessed by self-report in two groups of Han Chinese women: 1970 clinically ascertained with recurrent MD and 2597 matched controls. Diagnostic and other risk factor information was assessed at personal interview. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression and regression coefficients by linear or Poisson regression.ResultsAny form of CSA was significantly associated with recurrent MD [OR 3.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95–5.45]. This association strengthened with increasing CSA severity: non-genital (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.17–5.23), genital (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.32–5.83) and intercourse (OR 13.35, 95% CI 1.83–97.42). The association between any form of CSA and MD remained significant after accounting for parental history of depression, childhood emotional neglect (CEN), childhood physical abuse (CPA) and parent–child relationship. Among the depressed women, those with CSA had an earlier age of onset, longer depressive episodes and an increased risk for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.39–2.66) and dysthymia (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.52–3.09).ConclusionsIn Chinese women CSA is strongly associated with MD and this association increases with greater severity of CSA. Depressed women with CSA have an earlier age of onset, longer depressive episodes and increased co-morbidity with GAD and dysthymia. Although reporting biases cannot be ruled out, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that, as in Western countries, CSA substantially increases the risk for MD in China.

Low plasma eicosapentaenoic acid levels are associated with elevated trait aggression and impulsivity in major depressive disorder with a history of comorbid substance use disorder

“…As expected from prior studies (Bonomi, Cannon, Anderson, Rivara, & Thompson, 2008; Brodsky et al, 2001; Carey, Walker, Rossouw, Seedat, & Stein, 2008; Cong et al, 2012; Draper et al, 2008; Fergusson, Boden, & Horwood, 2008; Jumper, 1995; Kaplow & Widom, 2007; Kendler & Aggen, 2013; Kendler et al, 2000; Kendler, Kuhn, & Prescott, 2004; Levitan et al, 1998; Paolucci, Genuis, & Violato, 2001; Rohde et al, 2008; Young, Abelson, Curtis, & Nesse, 1997), a higher prevalence of self-reported childhood abuse was seen in MDD patients compared to HV, and childhood abuse was a significant predictor of aggression. However, we found that childhood abuse history did not mitigate the association between plasma EPA and SUD on aggression or impulsivity, indicating that the effects of EPA and childhood abuse on aggression are independent.…”

The dappled nature of causes of psychiatric illness: replacing the organic–functional/hardware–software dichotomy with empirically based pluralism

“…A range of early environmental risk factors have been well established for MD (for example, poor parenting, sexual abuse), 64,65 are generalizable across cultures, 66 and are probably causal. 67 Stressful life events are strongly associated with risk for MD and 68,69 much, but not all, of this association is likely causal.…”

Association between childhood adversities and adulthood depressive symptoms in South Korea: results from a nationally representative longitudinal study

“…Finally, most studies were conducted in the USA5 11 15 16 or in European countries4 6 17 18; relatively few studies have been conducted to examine the association between CAs and adulthood depression in an Asian country 19 20…”