BACKGROUND: The number of recent media reports of child maltreatment (CM) at international professional ballet schools surpasses the few studies on CM in dance. In general, studies on dance largely focus on psychological maltreatment. There is also little research on student experiences across the entire professional ballet school context, which typically include dance, academic, social life, and healthcare experiences, and for some students, living in residence or a homestay from a young age.
OBJECTIVE: To explore how former professional ballet school students characterize and make sense of experiences of CM across the entire school context in dance training, academics, social life, living (e.g., in residence, homestay), and healthcare.
METHODS: Participants were 15 former professional ballet school students (12 women, three men) aged 18-27 years old across six countries.
METHODS: Data from online semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Experiences were interpreted in the wider context of participants\' former ballet schools. Themes included: 1) psychological maltreatment in and beyond the studio; 2) neglect and devaluation: costs of over-prioritizing ballet; 3) physicalabuse: outdated but still rationalized as instrumental; and 4) sexual abuse in blurred private and public spaces.
CONCLUSIONS: Participants used CM vocabulary to describe their own and peers\' experiences and emphasized that CM should not be normalized. Sense making about experiences suggested a need for more ballet school community awareness about the multiple potential forms of harm of CM, as well as more research, intervention, and advocacy about CM at ballet schools.

OBJECTIVE: Child maltreatment (CM) is a major risk factor across the lifespan. While research on CM and its consequences has risen strongly during the last decades, research is mainly focused on the prevalence of types of CM incidents. As valid prevalence rates on timing and chronicity of CM are lacking to date, we aimed to assess the timing of experienced CM by describing the age of onset, duration, and prevalence at each year of age for each CM subtype in a population-based sample.
METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational study in a representative sample.
METHODS: Using different sampling steps including a random route procedure, a probability sample of the German population above the age of 16, encompassing 2514 persons (50.6% female, mean age: 50.08 years) was generated. Participants were asked about sociodemographic information in a face-to-face interview, CM was assessed using the ICAST-R questionnaire.
RESULTS: The earliest mean age of onset was seen in neglect with 8.07 (±3.07) years for boys and 7.90 (±2.96) years for girls, while the mean age of onset for sexual abuse was in adolescence with 13.65 (±3.86) years for boys and 13.91(±3.17) years for girls. The overall duration of CM was lowest for sexual abuse with 2.12 (±2.01) years for boys and 2.35 (±1.73) years for girls, the highest duration was seen for emotional abuse with 4.00 (±3.54) years for boys and 4.21 (±3.77) years for girls.
CONCLUSIONS: Our novel results provide important epidemiological information for prevention efforts.

Existing research on the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and cigarette smoking primarily involves low-risk, physical IVP-focused studies on community women. As a result, the risks associated with cigarette smoking in women victims of severe IPV have not been fully explored. This study examined the association between exposure to different forms of childhood maltreatment, exposure to physical, psychological, and sexual IPV, and current psychological distress symptoms with cigarette smoking in a high-risk sample of women victims of police-reported severe IPV. Participants included 162 women victims of police-reported severe IPV recruited in shelters for domestic violence and Child Protective Services in Portugal. Participants provided self-reports on childhood maltreatment physical, psychological, and sexual violence), physical, psychological, and sexual IPV, psychological distress symptoms (anxiety, depressive, somatic, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms), and daily cigarette consumption. Results revealed significant associations between daily cigarette consumption and exposure to IPV, physical abuse during childhood, psychological IPV, and anxiety symptoms in women experiencing police-reported severe IPV. Childhood maltreatment may increase vulnerability for emotion dysregulation, promoting addictive behaviors to regulate distress. Smoking can be an unhealthy regulating strategy to reduce the distress related to chronic exposure to psychological IPV. Future effective health promotion interventions in women facing severe forms of IPV may target emotional regulation and incorporate a trauma-focused approach.

UNASSIGNED: The Reminiscing and Emotion Training (RET) intervention targets and improves maltreating mothers\' elaboration and sensitivity in reminiscing (conversations about past emotional events), as well as children\'s emotion knowledge. However, in previous studies of RET, improvements in mothers\' elaborative and sensitive reminiscing did not explain improvements in children\'s emotion knowledge. Thus, we evaluated whether RET is associated with improved maternal autonomy support during reminiscing and whether improved autonomy support is associated with enhanced child emotion knowledge after RET.
UNASSIGNED: The sample included 248 mothers (165 maltreating and 83 nonmaltreating) and their 3- to 6-year-old children involved in a randomized controlled trial of RET. At baseline, we assessed maternal and child receptive language, dyadic reminiscing, and children\'s emotion knowledge. Then, maltreating mothers were randomized either to receive RET or participate in an active control condition including case management and written parenting materials. Nonmaltreating mothers did not receive intervention and participated as an additional control group. Families then completed an eight-week follow-up assessment.
UNASSIGNED: Maltreating mothers displayed significantly less baseline autonomy support during reminiscing than nonmaltreating mothers (partial eta squared = .028). Contrary to hypotheses, RET did not significantly improve autonomy support. However, baseline autonomy support was significantly and positively correlated with children\'s emotion knowledge at baseline (r = .20) and follow-up (r = .18).
UNASSIGNED: Autonomy support during reminiscing may play a role in the development of emotion knowledge. Implications for developmental theory and clinical practice are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: Suicide rates are markedly high among children with foster care involvement. Transition-age youth (TAY) who age-out of the foster care system are at particularly high risk.
METHODS: Analyzing data from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (n=727), this paper explores the descriptive characteristics of TAY who engage in suicidal behavior with the goals of better identifying, understanding, and supporting those at risk. We report rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt at four interview waves (ages 17, 19, 21, 23) and examine differences in rates by sociodemographic characteristics, past maltreatment, and behavioral health disorders.
RESULTS: At age 17, 42% of California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study participants had thought of committing suicide and 24% had attempted suicide. Across ages, sexual minority youth reported significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation and behavior than their heterosexual peers. We also found that youth with (1) maltreatment experiences (both before and during foster care); (2) major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder; and (3) alcohol/substance abuse disorders were significantly more likely than their peers without these characteristics/diagnoses to engage in suicidal behavior at certain ages. Youth with comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders were consistently at elevated risk.
CONCLUSIONS: Routine screening for suicidal behavior among TAY is important for child welfare service providers to consider. Youth at risk may benefit from more consistent assessment, mental health care, and targeted mental health intervention. Future research is needed to shed light on mechanisms linking certain sociodemographic, experiential, and behavioral health characteristics with suicidal behavior in TAY.

The online landscape has shifted since the rise of smartphones and social media in the 2010s and altered the way children use technologies. Along with a reliance on computer-mediated communication (CMC) is the concern of online child sexual exploitation (OCSE). This scoping review provided an updated examination of the prevalence, risk factors, outcomes, and disclosures of OCSE since 2010. Systematic searches were conducted using three databases for studies published between January 2010 and January 2023. Results indicated an alarming prevalence of, and a wide range of risk factors and consequences associated with OCSE worldwide. Many young victims struggled to recognize OCSE as a serious form of abuse. The need to monitor the ever-changing Internet landscape for young users is highlighted.

UNASSIGNED: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition marked by instability in mood, relationships, self-image, and behavior. Individuals with BPD often struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, and maintaining stable relationships. Oxytocin, known as the \"love hormone\" or \"bonding hormone,\" plays a crucial role in social bonding, trust, empathy, and emotional regulation and its dysregulation may contribute to BPD difficulties. This systematic review aims to analyze existing literature, examining the intricate interplay and encouraging future research and treatment strategies.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic search of Literature in PubMed, Embase and Psychinfo, without any language or time restriction, was performed until March 2024 combining thesaurus and free-search indexing terms related to \"borderline personality disorder\" and \"oxytocin\", producing 310 results (77 in PubMed, 166 in Embase and 67 in Psychinfo). Ninety-four full texts were analyzed, and 70 articles were included in qualitative analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Oxytocin may influence attachment styles, parental behaviors, and stress responses, particularly in individuals with a history of childhood trauma. The interaction between oxytocin, genetics, early life experiences, and environmental factors contributes to the complexity of BPD. Genetic variations in the oxytocin receptor gene may influence social and emotional abilities and contribute to the development of psychopathology. Additionally, early adverse experiences, such as childhood maltreatment, can alter oxytocin functioning, impacting social cognition and emotional regulation.However, oxytocin\'s role in BPD treatment remains uncertain, with some studies suggesting potential benefits for specific symptoms like social threat avoidance, while others indicate adverse effects on nonverbal behavior and mentalizing.
UNASSIGNED: Understanding oxytocin\'s role in BPD offers insights into potential therapeutic interventions. While oxytocin-based treatments may hold promise for addressing specific symptoms, further research is needed.

The study compared life course models (LCM; accumulation, recency, and sensitive period) of child maltreatment and general psychopathology in a large, national longitudinal data set of 1354 youth ages birth-16 years (657 boys, 53.2% Black, 59.7% <$40K caregiver income). Previous research has supported the accumulation and recency models, albeit with shorter or fewer time periods of outcome measurement. We extend this work by modeling the impact of combined abuse and neglect allegations on a general psychopathology factor (dysregulation profile). Cross-sectional structural equation models were constructed using LCMs and tested across two-year periods from 4-16 years old and compared using Akaike Information Criterion weights. The recency variable generally explained the greatest proportion of variance in psychopathology. Notably, maltreatment more proximal to the time of outcome measurement had the strongest effect, suggesting that more recent maltreatment may have stronger effects on general psychopathology. These results lend support to a recency effect of maltreatment on psychopathology outcomes, although substantive overlaps with the accumulation model are noted.

BACKGROUND: Research demonstrates that child maltreatment can negatively impact adolescent peer relationships. It is not well understood, however, how the type of maltreatment and its timing (when it occurs) affects the dimensions of peer relationship quality (i.e., companionship, conflict, satisfaction, and intimacy) and differences between genders. This study examines the effects of type and timing of child maltreatment on peer relationship quality, while also exploring the role of gender differences.
METHODS: This study involved 851 adolescents (56.1% girls, 56.2% Black, and 26.8% low-income) drawn from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). We used Child Protective Services\' information for the type and timing of child maltreatment, along with self-reports of peer relationship quality. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) were conducted.
RESULTS: Sexual abuse and neglect during adolescence were associated with less satisfaction and lower levels of companionship, respectively. Physical abuse during middle childhood was associated with lower levels of intimacy. We also found interactions between gender and type and timing of maltreatment. Compared to girls, boys exhibited lower levels of companionship and satisfaction if they experienced sexual abuse during adolescence.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a need for maltreatment-prevention efforts targeting school-aged children and adolescents, as well as gender-sensitive interventions for high-risk boys with a history of maltreatment.

Evidence shows that parenting interventions are an effective method of reducing caregiver-perpetrated child maltreatment. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has changed the provision of parenting interventions worldwide, with many interventions adapting to continue providing services during the crisis. This global systematic review examined how parenting interventions targeting child maltreatment and its risk and protective factors were adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched for studies published between 2020 and 2022 and identified 31 eligible studies. The data on the rationale, process, feasibility, acceptability, and impacts of adaptations were narratively synthesized in accordance with the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-Based Interventions. Results showed that most adaptations were proactive and focused on delivery methods, predominantly digitalization. While feasibility and acceptability were generally observed, the impacts of adapted programs were inconclusive. Inadequate reporting, especially regarding rationale, fidelity, facilitator capacity building, stakeholder involvement, and decision-making processes, was noted. The review recommends enhanced planning, documentation, and reporting of program adaptations using established guidelines, as well as process and impact evaluations.