Relationships between childhood maltreatment, peer victimization and depressive symptoms in youth: a network approach on the cycle of victimization.

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as childhood maltreatment and peer-related problems, are among the most influential risk factors contributing to the development of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Using a network approach, this study investigated the relationships between diverse forms of ACEs and distinct depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

A total of 464 psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with a range of psychiatric disorders (278 females; mean age = 14.2 years, standard deviation = 2.1 years) were included. The Children's Depression Rating Scale, Revised, was used to assess depressive symptoms. The shortened form of the Early Trauma Inventory and the Peer-Victimization Scale and Bullying Behavior Scale were used to assess childhood maltreatment experiences and peer-related problems, respectively.

RESULTS

The relationship between various types of ACEs and depressive symptoms varied. In particular, emotional maltreatment was closely related to depressive symptoms and had a direct impact, as well as an indirect influence through peer victimization. In addition, "depressed feelings" was identified as the common key node within the ACEs-depressive symptoms networks.

LIMITATIONS: Due to the cross-sectional design of the study, caution is required when interpreting causal relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide new insights into the possible mechanisms between diverse forms of ACEs and individual depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and highlight the importance of considering different intervention targets for each type of ACE.