Child maltreatment and incident mental disorders in middle and older ages: a retrospective UK Biobank cohort study

Macpherson, J. M. et al. (2021) Child maltreatment and incident mental disorders in middle and older ages: a retrospective UK Biobank cohort study. Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 11, 100224. (doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100224) (PMID:34917999) (PMCID:PMC8642708)

Abstract

Background: Understanding the mental health consequences of child maltreatment at different life stages is important in accurately quantifying the burden of maltreatment. This study investigated the association between child maltreatment and incident mental disorders in middle and older age as well as the potential mediators and moderators. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 56,082 participants from UK Biobank. Child maltreatment was recalled using the Childhood Trauma Screener. Incident mental disorders, including depressive, anxiety and affective disorders, behavioural syndromes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, substance abuse, and dementia, after baseline assessment were ascertained through linkage to primary care records. Findings: There was a dose-response relationship between child maltreatment and mental disorder. Those who experienced three or more maltreatment types had the highest risk of all mental disorders (HR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.67-2.06) followed by those who experienced two (HR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.35-1.63) and then one (HR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.19-2.35). Child maltreatment was most strongly associated with PTSD (HR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.20-2.10 P=0.001). The excess risk was largely unexplained by the included mediators. The association between child maltreatment and all mental disorders were stronger among participants who binge drank (Pinteraction=0.003) or had few social visits (Pinteraction=0.003). Interpretation: The mental health consequence of child maltreatment could last decades, even among those who had no recorded mental disorders in early adulthood. In the absence of strong mediators, prevention of child maltreatment remains the priority. Funding: Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Minnis, Professor Helen and Celis, Dr Carlos and Gray, Professor Stuart and Ho, Dr Frederick and Welsh, Professor Paul and Pell, Professor Jill and Hanlon, Dr Peter and MACPHERSON, Mr JOHN and Mair, Professor Frances and McCallum, Dr Marianne
• Authors: Macpherson, J. M., Gray, S. R., Ip, P., McCallum, M., Hanlon, P., Welsh, P., Chan, K. L., Mair, F. S., Celis-Morales, C., Minnis, H., Pell, J. P., and Ho, F. K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Lancet Regional Health - Europe
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2666-7762
• ISSN (Online): 2666-7762
• Published Online: 27 September 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Lancet Regional Health - Europe 11: 100224
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
173707		Institutional Strategic Support Fund (2016)	Anna Dominiczak	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	204820/Z/16/Z	Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences