The mediating role of impulsivity in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression in methamphetamine patients.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Childhood maltreatment (CM) significantly increases the risk of depression in patients with methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD). However, the underlying psychological mechanism remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore whether impulsivity mediates the relationship between CM and depression in patients with MAUD.

METHODS

We recruited 577 Chinese male inpatients with MAUD. CM, depression, and impulsivity were assessed using standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

A total of 321 of 577 (55.63%) patients with MAUD had experienced at least one form of CM. Maltreated patients exhibited elevated impulsivity and severe depression compared to nonmaltreated patients (both p < .001). CM, impulsivity, and depression were significantly interrelated (all p < .01). In addition, impulsivity partially mediated the CM-depression link in patients with MAUD (β = .015, 95% CI [0.007, 0.026]).

DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that CM has a long-term effect on depression, and impulsivity is an essential contributor to depressive symptoms in patients with MAUD who have experienced CM. Future research should investigate these associations using multimodal approaches and assess focused interventions that may reduce impulsivity and mitigate the psychological impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in patients with MAUD.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: We identified impulsivity as a key mechanism in the CM-depression link, offering a novel intervention target. Our findings advance the understanding of the psychological mechanisms in addiction psychiatry and suggest that interventions targeting impulsivity may help mitigate depression in this population.