Childhood maltreatment, social connectedness, and depression: A prospective analysis of trajectories over time.

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: = 3.6), and 2009-2010 (n = 649; Mage = 47.0 years, SD = 3.5). Social connectedness and depressive symptoms were measured at all four time points. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models were used to estimate bidirectional relationships between social connectedness and depression symptoms and the extent to which the trajectories differed for the maltreated and control groups. Individuals with documented histories of childhood maltreatment generally had significantly lower levels of social connectedness and higher levels of depression compared to matched controls. Depression was associated with lower levels of social connectedness concurrently at ages 39, 41, and 47. Depression predicted lower social connectedness, and social connectedness predicted lower depression in middle adulthood, but not young adulthood. Better understanding of the long-term impact of childhood maltreatment on social connectedness and depression has implications for designing effective interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Developmental Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/dev0001836

Authors: Hang (Heather) Do, Cathy Spatz Widom

Institutions: City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Justice, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

OpenAlex ID: W4402863152