Magdalena Chęć

Background: Childhood trauma is a well-established risk factor for depression in adulthood; however, not all individuals exposed to early adversity develop depressive disorders. Biological sex has been proposed as a potential moderator of this relationship, yet findings remain inconsistent, particularly in clinical samples. The present study aimed to examine whether biological sex moderates the association between childhood traumatic experiences and depression in a clinical sample of adults. Methods: The study included 308 adults (73 patients diagnosed with depression and 235 non-clinical participants), recruited from inpatient and day psychiatric units in north-western Poland. Childhood trauma was assessed retrospectively using the Polish adaptation of the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure questionnaire (MACE-58 [PL]), which measures multiple forms of abuse and neglect, as well as their severity, multiplicity, and duration. Moderation analyses were conducted using binary logistic regression models implemented in the PROCESS macro (Model 1), with biological sex tested as a moderator of the relationship between childhood trauma indicators and depression. Results: Biological sex significantly moderated the association between childhood trauma indicators and the presence of a depressive disorder diagnosis across all significant models. Parental physical abuse, peer physical bullying, cumulative trauma severity, multiplicity of peer violence, and duration of maltreatment were significantly associated with depression in women, whereas no significant associations were observed in men. The strongest effects were found for repeated peer physical bullying among women. Conclusions: The findings indicate that biological sex plays a significant moderating role in the relationship between childhood trauma and depression in adulthood. Women demonstrated stronger associations between interpersonal and cumulative trauma exposure and the presence of a depressive disorder diagnosis.These results underscore the importance of sex-sensitive approaches in the assessment and treatment of depression in clinical populations.

Background: This study examined the interplay between sociocultural internalization, perfectionism, and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. We pursued two complementary aims: (1) to identify latent profiles of women based on adaptive/maladaptive perfectionism and sociocultural internalization, and (2) to test perfectionism as a mediator between sociocultural internalization and ED symptoms. Methods: Participants comprised 203 Polish women aged 18–35 years (M = 25.1, SD = 3.5). Measures included the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), the Polish Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism Questionnaire (KPAD), and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify subgroups, followed by Kruskal–Wallis tests for between-profile comparisons. Mediation models were tested using the PROCESS macro (Model 4). Results: A three-profile solution provided the best fit (Entropy = 0.94). Profile 3 (high internalization and both perfectionism types; n = 58) reported the highest ED severity (EAT-26 total: M = 25.6, SD = 7.4), particularly in Dieting and Bulimia subscales. Profile 1 (low internalization, low maladaptive perfectionism; n = 64) showed the lowest scores (M = 12.3, SD = 5.2). No significant differences were found for the Oral Control subscale (H(2) = 2.53, p = 0.283). Mediation analyses indicated that maladaptive perfectionism significantly mediated associations between sociocultural internalization and ED symptoms (indirect effects b = 0.13–0.32, 95% CI excluding zero). Adaptive perfectionism was not a significant mediator. Conclusions: Results underscore maladaptive perfectionism as a key mechanism through which sociocultural pressures contribute to eating pathology. Implications include targeting internalization and perfectionistic concerns in prevention and treatment.

Cel pracy: Okres dojrzewania to etap rozwoju między dzieciństwem a dorosłością, który obejmuje intensywny rozwój fizyczny, psychiczny i społeczny człowieka. Młodzież jest narażona na podejmowanie ryzykownych zachowań, w szczególności używania substancji psychoaktywnych, w tym upijania się. Czynniki związane z rodziną, rówieśnikami i różnicami indywidualnymi mogą chronić tę grupę wiekową przed nadużywaniem alkoholu lub narażać ją na takie ryzyko. Celem badania było opisanie związku między temperamentem, czynnikami rodzinnymi i rówieśniczymi a częstotliwością upijania się wśród nastolatków. Metoda: Badanie przeprowadzono wśród 825 uczniów szczecińskich szkół podstawowych i ponadpodstawowych (woj. zachodniopomorskie, Polska) w wieku 13-16 lat (13.83 lat, 52.2% chłopców). W badaniu wykorzystano kwestionariusze EATQ-R, „Klasa wobec mnie” (A) i „Ja wobec klasy” (B), Skale Oceny Rodziny (SOR) oparte na FACES IV oraz autorską ankietę. Wyniki: Stwierdzono istotne statystycznie związki między przejawianymi cechami temperamentu a rozpowszechnieniem upijania się wśród nastolatków. Stwierdzono istotne związki między oceną funkcjonowania rodziny a jej zachowaniem. Ujawniono również, że sposób spędzania wolnego czasu z przyjaciółmi był silnie związany z rozpowszechnieniem upijania się. Wnioski: Badane obszary wskazują na istniejące związki pomiędzy wybranymi zmiennymi.

Childhood trauma resulting from violence, abuse, and neglect has long-term effects on health and is linked to the development of diseases and mental disorders, including depression. It turns out that traumatic experiences in childhood can also foster traits of perfectionism, whose maladaptive form may further increase the risk of developing depression. The aim of this study was to assess the role of perfectionism in the relationship between childhood trauma and depression in adulthood. The analysis involved 308 participants (73 with depression and 235 healthy controls). The study used questionnaires assessing childhood traumatic experiences (MACE-58) and perfectionism levels (KPAD). The results showed that individuals with depression exhibited higher maladaptive perfectionism and a greater severity of trauma, particularly physical violence and sexual abuse. Traumatic experiences, especially sexual abuse and physical violence from peers, were significant predictors of depression. It was found that maladaptive perfectionism mediated the relationship between trauma and depression, eliminating the direct link in the case of some traumas, such as sexual abuse. The study highlights the significant role of maladaptive perfectionism in the development of depression in individuals who experienced traumatic events in childhood, suggesting that interventions aimed at reducing this type of perfectionism may positively impact depression treatment.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, maltreatment or neglect, can lead to many mental disorders and emotional and social difficulties. Objective: The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the ‘Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure’ (MACE) questionnaire to Polish socio-cultural conditions. Participants and setting: The study involved 330 adult, white people (60.8% women); aged between 18 and 86 years (M = 41.01; SD = 14.67), with and without a psychiatric diagnosis. Methods: Convergent validity was assessed by comparing MACE (PL) scores with the CTQ (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire), while predictive validity was determined by examining the relationships between MACE (PL) scores and the SCL-90 (Symptom Checklist-90). The psychometric properties of the scale were assessed using Rasch analysis, which evaluated item fit, difficulty, and person separation. Internal consistency was measured using the Kuder Richardson coefficient (KR-20). The Polish version of MACE demonstrated good reliability, as indicated by high internal consistency (KR-20) and findings from Rasch analysis. Results: The Polish version of MACE, after analysis, included a total of 58 items combined into 10 scales. The Polish version of the scale showed high internal consistency, measured using the Kuder-Richardson formula (KR-20). The results of the Polish version of MACE showed strong and positive correlations with the scores of CTQ and ACE. These correlations were particularly evident for the overall MACE scores and subscales such as MACE SUM, MACE Multiplicity, and MACE Duration. Correlations for physical neglect and emotional neglect were moderate but statistically significant (r = 0.49, p < 0.001; r = 0.46, p < 0.001). MACE scores were positively correlated with SCL-90 and ACE results, indicating high predictive validity in relation to psychopathological symptoms. The correlations between MACE and SCL-90 were moderate but significant, suggesting that MACE effectively predicts psychopathological symptoms associated with childhood trauma. Most MACE subscales showed moderate reliability (0.5–0.8), except for the PVA and SEXA subscales, which demonstrated high internal consistency (KR20 > 0.8). Conclusion: The Polish version of MACE demonstrates solid convergent validity, predictive validity, and psychometric reliability, making it a valuable tool for assessing experiences of maltreatment and neglect during childhood in both research and clinical practice. Assessing the history of adverse childhood experiences using the MACE can provide a more precise understanding of how the type and timing of these experiences influence outcomes. This, in turn, sheds light on the mechanisms underlying health and the common pathways contributing to overlapping symptom spectrums. In summary, the MACE appears to be a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers aiming to retrospectively assess the types, timing, and duration of childhood maltreatment experiences during sensitive developmental periods in adulthood.

Background: Perfectionism in adolescents can have both adaptive and maladaptive forms, with implications for mental health and school performance. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation in adolescents and to evaluate the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions. Methods: Two studies were conducted: (1) A cross-sectional study (n = 261) examined the correlations among perfectionism, mental health factors, and emotional regulation. (2) An experimental study (n = 115) evaluated the effects of psychoeducation on perfectionism and healthy habits compared with a control group. The measures included questionnaires on perfectionism, depression, anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation. Results: Study 1 found that maladaptive perfectionism was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), stress (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), and difficulties in emotional regulation (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Adaptive perfectionism was negatively correlated with deficits in emotional understanding (r = −0.31, p < 0.05). Study 2 showed that psychoeducational interventions reduced maladaptive perfectionism (mean difference = −5.7, p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.62) and depression levels (mean difference = −3.2, p < 0.05, Cohen’s d = 0.38) but increased stress in the experimental groups. No significant changes were observed in adaptive perfectionism or the anxiety level. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex relationships among perfectionism, mental health, and emotional regulation in adolescents. Targeted interventions can reduce maladaptive perfectionism and its associated negative effects. Further research is needed on the long-term outcomes and refinement of interventional strategies.

Background: Adolescence is an important point in the emotional development of young people. It is a time when young people are characterised by a high degree of emotional instability and seek effective ways to regulate their emotions. One of the frequent methods they use to cope with emotional tension is self-injurious behaviour. Methods: In the context of the rising incidence of self-harm among adolescents, this study aims to understand the association of temperament with the experience of tension and self-injurious behaviour along with the mediating role of perfectionism among 366 adolescents aged 15 to 20 years (Mage = 17.98, SD = 1.302, 52.7% female). Participants completed questionnaires on temperament traits, level of perfectionism, and experience of tension and self-injurious behaviour. Results: The results show that traits such as perfectionism, sensory sensitivity and emotional reactivity increase the risk of self-injurious behaviour. Maladaptive perfectionism partially mediates the relationship between these traits and the tendency to experience emotional tension. A temperament profile with a protective role was also identified. Conclusions: The results of the study highlight the importance of innate traits as well as environmental and cognitive influences, and may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to self-injurious behaviour and strategies aimed at its prevention.

Zaburzenia odżywiania stanowią istotny i częsty problem wśród nastolatek. Z uwagi na ogromne, negatywne konsekwencje zdrowotne, jakie za sobą niosą, ważne jest przyjrzenie się sposobom i skuteczności ich leczenia. Mimo, iż kryteria diagnostyczne w przypadku młodzieży i dorosłych są takie same, to proces diagnostyczno – terapeutyczny u nastolatków wymaga odrębnych oddziaływań specjalistycznych, z włączeniem w nie środowiska rodzinnego. Światowe badania nad skutecznością terapii w leczeniu zaburzeń odżywiania w okresie rozwojowym wskazują, iż terapia skoncentrowana na rodzinie (FBT) i wzmocniona wersja terapii poznawczo – behawioralnej (CBT-E) są szczególnie przydatne w pracy z tą chorobą, jak i zapobieganiu jej nawrotom. Istotnym mechanizmem w powstawaniu i utrzymywaniu zaburzeń odżywiania jest perfekcjonizm kliniczny. Wydaje się zatem, że praca terapeutyczna nad tym mechanizmem może przyczyniać się do szybszego powrotu do zdrowia i jego utrzymania. Niniejszy artykuł prezentuje wyniki badań nad skutecznością psychospołecznych metod pracy z nastolatkami z zaburzeniami odżywiania, z uwzględnieniem perfekcjonizmu, a także koncentruje się na różnicach w oddziaływaniach i ich dopasowaniu do potrzeb nastolatków, w zakresie dwóch popularnych metod pracy – CBT-E i FBT. Prezentowana wiedza może być pomocna klinicystom pracującym z młodzieżą w wyborach odpowiednich metod i form pracy dostosowanych do konceptualizacji.

Aim of the study: The interest in remote psychological services is currently increasing. Changing the way psychological help is provided requires considering new issues, including patients’ attitudes toward this form of help. The aim of the study was to construct and determine the...

The study aims to introduce Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a viable approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as its comorbidity with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The paper refers to current studies conducted between 2017 and 2023 relating to DBT's efficacy in managing complex and relational early childhood trauma, including sexual abuse and violence. Analyses indicate that DBT helps to reduce PTSD symptoms in various age groups. An integrative approach, which combines DBT and methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), appears to enhance therapeutic effects. Therefore, it is recommended to implement programs based on DBT and evaluate their effectiveness in a group of Polish patients who have co-occurring symptoms of PTSD and BPD or PTSD alone.