Citation

Scott KM, McLaughlin KA, Smith DAR, Ellis PM. Br. J. Psychiatry 2012; 200(6): 469-475.

Affiliation

Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. kate.scott@otago.ac.nz

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.111.103267

PMID

22661679

PMCID

PMC3365274

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prior research reports stronger associations between childhood maltreatment and adult psychopathology when maltreatment is assessed retrospectively compared with prospectively, casting doubt on the mental health risk conferred by maltreatment and on the validity of retrospective reports. AIMS: To investigate associations of psychopathology with prospective v. retrospective maltreatment ascertainment. METHOD: A nationally representative sample of respondents aged 16-27 years (n = 1413) in New Zealand completed a retrospective assessment of maltreatment and DSM-IV mental disorders. Survey data were linked with a national child protection database to identify respondents with maltreatment records (prospective ascertainment). RESULTS: Childhood maltreatment was associated with elevated odds of mood, anxiety and drug disorders (odds ratios = 2.1-4.1), with no difference in association strength between prospective and retrospective groups. Prospectively ascertained maltreatment predicted unfavourable depression course involving early onset, chronicity and impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Prospectively and retrospectively assessed maltreatment elevated the risk of psychopathology to a similar degree. Prospectively ascertained maltreatment predicted a more unfavourable depression course.

Language: en