Article 5a: Resilience to adult psychopathology following childhood maltreatment: Evidence from a community sample (Collishaw, 2007)

Question 1

Design of the study

Answer 1

This study interviewed people who were severely physically or sexually abused as a child, at 3 times in their life:
- At age 10
- At age 15
- At age 45
The goal of the study was to measure potential psychopathology and resilience factors.

Question 2

Main results

Answer 2

A substantial minority (45%) of individuals did not develop any mental health problems in adult life after childhood abuse.
Resilience was related to:
- Perceived parental care
- Adolescent peer relationships
- Quality of adult love relationships
- Personality style

Question 3

Risk factors for psychopathology after childhood abuse

Answer 3

• Neuroticism
• Higher severity of the abuse

Question 4

No effect found for the predictors

Answer 4

IQ and gender.

Question 5

Importance of social relationships

Answer 5

Having strong positive relationships is crucial from bounding back from the effects of abuse. Important is building a cultivating network throughout your life of positive relationships with peers, parents, romantic partners etc. (building a network of support).
Positive early life relationships also predicts more positive relationships later in life.

Question 6

Quality of Relationships Index

Answer 6

To measure factors like having healthy relationship with parents and peers. having a supportive first partner, stable relationships overall etc. These factors are particularly associated with positive outcomes for the people who experienced abuse, compared to the group who hadn’t.