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UNLABELLED: Child abuse and complex trauma in adults who were cared for in day-and-night nurseries of the GDR

Objectives

200.000 plus infants aged six weeks to three years were cared for in Wochenkrippen (day-and-night nurseries from Monday to Friday or Saturday) in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The present study examines how early Wochenkrippen experience is associated with traumatic stress in childhood and adulthood.

METHODS

The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the number of traumatic events over the lifespan were recorded. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) symptoms were assessed using the International Trauma Questionnaire. 291 adults who were cared for in Wochenkrippen and a control group of 191 former GDR citizens who received family care or daytime nursery participated. Group differences were analyzed, while controlling for current depressive symptoms and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The Wochenkrippen group differed from the control group in terms of higher reported exposure to traumatic stress in childhood. Consistent with studies on early childhood traumatization, there were descriptive indications of higher rates of CPTSD in the Wochenkrippen group.

CONCLUSION

The experience of Wochenkrippen care may, in interaction with other factors, increase the risk of childhood and adult traumatization.