Normative Minor Childhood Stress and Risk of Later Adult Psychopathology in Saudi Arabia
Journal Title: International Neuropsychiatric Disease Journal - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Chronic minor childhood stress in the form of corporal punishment predicts adult psychopathology in the United States but has not been demonstrated in a country where corporal punishment is normative. We tested whether adult psychopathology was predicted by recalled frequency of childhood corporal punishment and recalled controllability of punishment in Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and fifty nine Saudi men with substance addictions (who for cultural reasons were at risk for depression) completed a survey measuring: demographic variables, frequency of beating and controllability of punishment as a child, depression and borderline personality disorder symptoms (BPD). Beating frequency and punishment control were uncorrelated and unrelated to patients’ or parents’ education. 92 men (36%) had major depression (PHQ-9 ≥15). Compared to those never beaten, those experiencing infrequent beating (once or twice a year) were significantly more likely to have major depression and higher BPD symptoms, after controlling for demographic variables. Those experiencing frequent beating (monthly or more frequent) were more likely to have major depression and higher BDP symptoms compared to those never beaten, but only when perceived control was low. Perceived punishment control was not significantly related to outcome for those who never had or had infrequent corporal punishment. These results provide evidence in a culture where corporal punishment is normative that corporal punishment, even when infrequent, predisposes to adult psychopathology and that uncontrollability increases the pathogenic effect of frequent corporal punishment. These results support the hypothesis that frequent minor stressors in childhood act as kindling factor for later depression.
Authors and Affiliations
Michael E. Hyland, Ahmed M. Alkhalaf, Ben Whalley
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP241470
- DOI 10.9734/INDJ/2014/7997
- Views 125
- Downloads 0
Dream Anxiety in Patients with Rapid Eye Movement Dependent Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the breathing disorders that arise during sleep and are predominantly observed in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase onto the dreams which have negative effects on...
The Spectrum of Herpesvirus Infections of the Nervous System in Adult Patients in Ukraine: A Prospective Single Center Study
Background: Herpesviruses (HVs) are ubiquitous pathogens that infect humans usually during childhood, followed by a life-long persistence in a latent state in many sites of a body including the nerve cells. After reactiv...
The Development of Cannabidiol as a Psychiatric Therapeutic: A Review of Its Antipsychotic Efficacy and Possible Underlying Pharmacodynamic Mechanisms
Cannabidiol (CBD), a once-considered inert cannabis constituent, is one of two primary constituents of cannabis, alongside delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC/THC). In the last 30 years, CBD has become implicated with a...
The Impact of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on the Quality of Life: A Systematic Review
Aims: To review the relevant literature on Quality of Life (QOL) impairment in PTSD and the impact of treatment interventions on QOL. Methods: A database search from 1980-2012 was conducted using Medline, PsycINFO, and t...
The Role of Herpes Family Viruses in the Pathogenesis of Paranoid Schizophrenia: the Data of Multidimensional Correlations of Immunological, Morphological and Clinical Characteristics
The majority of current researches of participation of herpes viruses in pathogenesis of schizophrenia are aimed at detection of increased specific antibodies level. Works studying polymodal system connections between an...