INTRODUCTION: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with significant long-term impacts, yet few interventions specifically target ACE exposure, especially in Asian populations. Anchor, Singapore's first home visitation programme, addresses maltreat-ment among preschool children. This study evaluated Anchor's impact on children's developmental and behavioural outcomes. METHOD: We conducted a prospective evaluation of children under 4 years assessed for maltreatment from November 2019 to July 2023. Developmental and behavioural progress was measured every 6 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) and ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), and annually using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). RESULTS: The results of 125 children (mean age 20.0 months, 48% female) were analysed. The mean length of stay in programme was 21.2 (7.3) months. At baseline, 92 (73.6%) children were at risk of develop-mental delay and 25 (31.7%) children aged ≥18 months had behavioural concerns. The programme was associated with significant improvements in gross motor (P=0.002) and fine motor (P=0.001) domains of the ASQ-3 and internalising problem scale (P=0.001) of the CBCL. CONCLUSION Anchor effectively enhances develop-mental and behavioural outcomes for children exposed to maltreatment. Targeted early intervention through such programmes can mitigate adverse impacts, optimising developmental trajectories and potentially reducing the long-term clinical and economic burdens associated with ACEs.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Child Abuse/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Singapore ; House Calls ; Infant ; Prospective Studies ; Child Development ; Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology* ; Program Evaluation ; Child Behavior Disorders ; Child Behavior

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the specific types of childhood trauma and their relationship to treatment-related issues in major depressive disorder (MDD). This study examined trauma experiences and treatment-related variables in outpatients with MDD at a psychiatric department of a university hospital in Korea.METHODS: First, 75 outpatients with MDD were compared to medical outpatients without MDD matched by age, sex, income, and educational qualifications. Both groups completed the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised, which assesses comprehensive life events. Second, treatment-related variables and medication compliance measured by the Compliance Rating Scale were investigated for the two-year period after the initial assessment.RESULTS: The MDD group had experienced a significantly higher number of lifetime traumas than the control group (p=0.003), including more frequent witnessing of family violence (p<0.001), adulthood physical assault by a family member (p<0.001), and childhood emotional abuse (CEA) (p<0.001). CEA was associated with early onset of the first depressive episode and premature termination of pharmacotherapy; childhood physical neglect was associated with premature termination and less time in therapy.CONCLUSION: Our findings support the important influence of childhood emotional trauma and its relationship to treatment retention.
Child ; Child Abuse ; Compliance ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Domestic Violence ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Medication Adherence ; Outpatients ; Patient Dropouts

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of interleukin-1 beta (IL1B) gene polymorphism and childhood maltreatment on antidepressant treatment.

METHODSTwo hundred and four patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have received treatment with single antidepressant drugs and were followed up for 8 weeks. Hamilton depression scale-17 (HAMD-17) was used to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms and therapeutic effect. Childhood maltreatment was assessed using Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, a 28-item Short Form (CTQ-SF). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the IL1B gene was determined using a SNaPshot method. Correlation of rs16944 gene polymorphism with response to treatment was analyzed using Unphased 3.0.13 software. The main and interactive effects of SNP and childhood maltreatment on the antidepressant treatment were analyzed using Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSNo significant difference of gender, age, year of education, family history, episode time, and antidepressant agents was detected between the remitters and non-remitters. Association analysis has found that the SNP rs16944 in the IL1B AA genotype carriers antidepressant response was poorer (χ2=3.931, P=0.047). No significant difference was detected in the CTQ scores between the two groups. Genetic and environmental interaction analysis has demonstrated a significant correlation between rs16944 AA genotype and childhood maltreatment and poorer response to antidepressant treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe SNP rs16944 in the IL1B gene and its interaction with childhood maltreatment may influence the effect of antidepressant treatment for patients with MDD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child Abuse ; psychology ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; drug therapy ; genetics ; psychology ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: Child sexual abuse is a highly prevalent societal problem that cuts across all ethnic, racial, educational, and socioeconomic groups. There has been mounting empirical evidence for the efficacy of manual-based, cognitive behavioral treatment(CBT) for sexually abused children. Therefore, the aim of this review was to address the rationale and efficacy of CBT for sexually abused children, and to introduce a broad outline of a typical CBT program for young people suffering the emotional and behavioral consequences of sexual abuse. METHODS: A selective literature review was undertaken. RESULTS: To date, trauma-focused CBT is the most effective treatment for the sexually abused child. The rationale and efficacy of CBT was reviewed and a typical CBT program was outlined session by session. CONCLUSION: Based on trauma-focused CBT for sexually abused children, the results demonstrate the need for future development of a standard CBT program for the Korean population.
Child ; Child Abuse, Sexual ; Cognitive Therapy ; Humans ; Stress, Psychological

Australia ; Child ; Child Abuse ; prevention & control ; psychology ; therapy ; trends ; Child Abuse, Sexual ; psychology ; therapy ; Humans

Child ; Child Abuse ; legislation & jurisprudence ; prevention & control ; therapy ; China ; Family ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors