Rachel Langevin

Emotion Regulation in Sexually Abused Preschoolers

Emotion regulation is closely related to mental health in children and adults. Low emotion regulation competencies have been found in school-aged sexually abused girls. The aim of the present study was to investigate emotion regulation competencies in sexually abused preschool girls and boys using a multi-informant approach. Emotion regulation was assessed in 62 sexually abused and 65 non-abused preschoolers using the Emotion Regulation Checklist and the MacArthur Story Stem Battery. Both parents and educators reported lower emotion regulation competencies in sexually abused preschoolers, especially boys, than in non-abused children. The narrative task completed by the children also revealed lower emotion regulation competencies in sexually abused boys. These findings could have an important impact on intervention programs offered to these at-risk children.

Cumulative childhood trauma, emotion regulation, dissociation, and behavior problems in school-aged sexual abuse victims

BACKGROUND Child sexual abuse is associated with a plethora of devastating repercussions. A significant number of sexually abused children are likely to experience other forms of maltreatment that can seriously affect their emotion regulation abilities and impede on their development. The aim of the study was to test emotion regulation and dissociation as mediators in the association between cumulative childhood trauma and internalized and externalized behavior problems in child victims of sexual abuse. METHODS Participants were 309 sexually abused children (203 girls and 106 boys; Mean age = 9.07) and their non-offending parent. Medical and clinical files were coded for cumulative childhood trauma. At initial evaluation (T1), parents completed measures assessing childrens emotion regulation abilities and dissociation. At Time 2 (T2), parents completed a measure assessing childrens behavior problems. Mediation analyses were conducted with emotion regulation and dissociation as sequential mediators using Mplus software. RESULTS Findings revealed that cumulative childhood trauma affects both internalized and externalized behavior problems through three mediation paths: emotion regulation alone, dissociation alone, and through a path combining emotion regulation and dissociation. LIMITATIONS Both emotion regulation and dissociation were assessed at T1 and thus the temporal sequencing of mediators remains to be ascertained through a longitudinal design. All measures were completed by the parents. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should routinely screen for other childhood trauma in vulnerable clienteles. In order to tackle behavior problems, clinical interventions for sexually abused youth need to address emotion regulation competencies and dissociation.

Sleep problems over a year in sexually abused preschoolers

Objectives The aim of the present study was to explore sleep problems in sexually abused preschoolers over a year. Methods The sample consisted of 224 abused children and 83 nonabused children aged 3 to 6 years old at enrolment into the study (T1), and 85 abused children and 73 nonabused children at the second evaluation, approximately 1 year later (T2). Sleep problems were assessed using parental reports on the Child Behavior Checklist - Preschool Version. Results Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that sexually abused preschoolers presented higher scores of sleep problems than nonabused children on all items related to sleep problems at T1. Results from a regression analysis revealed that sexual abuse remained associated with higher levels of sleep problems after controlling for sociodemographical variables. At T2, abused preschoolers still presented more sleep problems than nonabused children on all but one of the sleep items. Results from a repeated measure one-way analysis of covariance revealed that abused preschoolers presented higher total sleep scores at both measurement times. Time was not associated with levels of sleep problems and sleep problems did not evolve differently for abused and nonabused children. Conclusions Sexually abused preschoolers are at risk of presenting with sleep problems. These results are worrisome given the negative impacts of sleep problems on child development. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

Sleep problems and dissociation in preschool victims of sexual abuse

ABSTRACT Objective: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with a host of deleterious impacts, yet little is known about the short-term correlates in children. This study aimed to investigate the association between dissociation and sleep problems in a sample of preschool-age sexual abuse victims while controlling for potentially confounding variables, including gender, age, polytrauma, CSA characteristics, and parental distress. Method: The sample consisted of 179 children (ages 3–6 years) and their non-offending parents. Parents completed questionnaires assessing their child’s dissociative symptoms and sleep problems as well as their own level of psychological distress. Results: Regression analyses revealed that sleep problems were significantly associated with dissociative symptoms over and above all other control variables (children’s gender and age, polytrauma, and parental distress). A longer duration of sexual abuse also predicted greater dissociative symptoms in preschool children. Conclusion: Findings highlight the association between sleep problems and dissociation in preschool-age victims of CSA. Further research is needed to understand their impact on children’s development to design appropriate treatment and prevention initiatives aimed at fostering resilience in young vulnerable children.