Loneliness and coping skill mediate the association between child maltreatment and depression for rural males and females

Abstract

Background Child maltreatment is a prevalent and notable problem in rural China, and the prevalence and severity of depression in rural areas are higher than the national norm. Several studies have found that loneliness and coping skills respectively mediated the relationship between child maltreatment and depression. However, few studies have examined the roles of loneliness and coping skills in child maltreatment and depression based on gender differences. Methods All participants were from rural communities aged more than 18 years in Shandong province, and 879 valid samples (female:63.4%) ranging in age from 18 to 91 years old were analyzed. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D), the Simple Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and the Emotional and Social Loneliness Scale (ESLS) were used to evaluate child maltreatment, depression, coping skills and loneliness. Results Child maltreatment was more common and severe in males than females (F = 3.99; p < 0.05). Loneliness and coping skills partially mediated the relationship between child maltreatment and depression in males, but loneliness fully mediated the relationship between child maltreatment and depression in females. Conclusion In this study, males were more likely to experience child maltreatment. Child maltreatment and depression were correlated. We also found a mediating role of loneliness and coping skills for males and a mediating role of loneliness in females.

Factors associated with child abuse among children and adolescents in a Peruvian public hospital

“…It is well-established that the various forms of child abuse perpetrated by parents or other caregivers harm the overall development of children and adolescents [ 34 – 36 ]. Likewise, associations are found with poor cognitive abilities or performance in childhood and even into adulthood, especially with specific types of abuse that will lead to the loss of opportunities and limited personal development [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Mediating role of loneliness and emotional disturbance in the association between childhood trauma and occupational burnout among nurses: a cross-sectional study

“…The stress sensitivity theory posits that individuals who have experienced childhood trauma have lower stress thresholds and are more prone to experiencing adverse mental health outcomes, such as loneliness and depressive symptoms, compared to those who have not experienced childhood trauma (8). Studies (9,10) have indicated that exposure to negative events in childhood, such as abuse and neglect, can elevate the risk of loneliness and depressive symptoms. Hence, it is plausible that nurses who have experienced more childhood trauma may be predisposed to developing loneliness and depressive symptoms.…”

Parental depression moderates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and the recognition of children expressions of emotions

“…Many mediators have been used to explain the development of depressive symptoms following childhood maltreatment experiences. Examples include envy ( 6 ), loneliness and lack of coping skills ( 7 ), scarcer social support ( 8 ), and lower parent-child relationship quality ( 9 ). Recent research has focused more on emotion dysregulation, which refers to an individual’s inability to control or regulate their emotional responses to a stimulus ( 10 – 13 ).…”