No Sex Differences in Self-Reported Childhood Maltreatment in Major Depressive and Bipolar Disorders: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: We investigated, for the first time, whether there are any sex differences in retrospective self-reported childhood maltreatment (CM) in Italian adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BD). Furthermore, the potential impacts of patients’ age on the CM self-report were investigated. Methods: This retrospective study used the data documented in the electronic medical records of patients who were hospitalized for a 4-week psychiatric rehabilitation program. CM was assessed using the 28-item Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), which evaluates emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect. The linear and logistic regression models were used (α = 0.01). Results: Three hundred thirty-five patients with MDD (255 women and 80 men) and 168 with BD (97 women and 71 men) were included. In both samples, considerable CM rates were identified, but no statistically significant sex differences were detected in the variety of CTQ-based CM aspects. There was a significant association, with no sex differences, between increasing patients’ age and a decreasing burden of CM. Conclusion: Both women and men with MDD or BD experienced a similar and considerable CM burden. Our findings support routine CM assessment in psychiatric clinical practice.

Developmental Neuroendocrinology of Early-Life Stress: Impact on Child Development and Behavior

“…The term Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) has also been used to describe a wide range of traumatic or stressful experiences during childhood and adolescence. Children and adolescents who experienced maltreatment and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are at increased risk for developing borderline personality disorder symptoms [ 92 ], major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder [ 93 , 94 ]. Moreover, ACEs have been demonstrated as a predictor of worse outcomes during anti-depressant treatments, although a recent systematic review did not report a difference in treatment response among depressive patients with or without a history of childhood maltreatment [ 94 ].…”

Sex Differences in Personality Disorder and Childhood Maltreatment of Patients with Schizophrenia

“… 23 , 24 However, the question of whether there are sex differences in self-reported CM among different populations remains inconclusive. For instance, a study by Caldirola et al 25 explored sex differences in retrospective self-reported CM in Italian adult patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, revealing that both women and men with MDD or BD experienced a similar and considerable burden of CM. Similarly, research conducted by Liu et al 26 investigated sex differences in the complex interconnections among various types of CM, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression, identifying notable sex discrepancies in the relationship between different forms of maltreatment and psychopathological symptoms.…”