Citation

Zhang J, Zheng Y. Psychiatry Res. 2018; 268: 272-278.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2E9, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2018.06.063

PMID

30075444

Abstract

Few studies have investigated how multiple childhood maltreatment experiences co-occur and influence personality disorder symptoms and criminal behaviors in Chinese population. Using a large sample of 1001 incarcerated Chinese males (M_age = 30.86 years), the current study identified profiles of self-reported childhood maltreatment experiences and examined their associations with Axis II personality disorder symptoms and criminal behaviors. Latent profile model was built on five types of maltreatment (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect).

RESULTS showed high prevalence and co-occurrence of maltreatment, and revealed four profiles: Minimal Maltreatment (61.5%), Low Abuse and High Neglect (26.6%), High Sexual Abuse with Multiple Maltreatment (4%), and High Physical and Emotional Maltreatment (7.8%). Profiles with high neglect level showed higher Cluster A personality disorder symptoms as well as borderline, avoidant, and dependent symptoms than those with minimal maltreatment. The two profiles with moderate to high abuse level showed elevated symptoms in all clusters of personality disorder and higher prevalence of juvenile offense than the other two profiles. High Physical and Emotional Maltreatment profile also had higher prevalence of violent offending and recidivism. These findings revealed the importance and utility of identifying profiles of co-occurring maltreatment to tailor treatment based on specific maltreatment experiences and their co-occurrence to address negative outcomes associated with each maltreatment profile.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en

Keywords

Abuse; Latent profile analysis; Neglect; Personality disorder symptoms