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Despite the documented increasing prevalence of elder abuse victimization and its devastating health effects, a life-course view of the victimization experiences of older adults has rarely been adopted in the elder abuse literature. The current study investigated lifetime links between victimization experiences by examining the indirect effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on elder abuse victimization via intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in middle adulthood, and whether this indirect association would differ by gender. Using data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, we analyzed the previous and current victimization experiences of a total of 5,391 older adults in their early 70s and estimated mediational and moderated mediation models. The key results indicated that a higher ACE score was associated with exposure to IPV victimization in middle adulthood, which was in turn associated with exposure to elder abuse victimization. This indirect association was stronger for women than for men. Regarding specific types of childhood victimization, parental physical abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessing domestic violence significantly predicted elder abuse victimization via IPV victimization. Our results support the phenomenon of lifetime victimization, whereby an individual experiences reoccurring forms of victimization across the life course from childhood to late adulthood. Findings highlight the compelling need for the assessment of cumulative victimization experiences and their impact on elder abuse victims. A life-course-based, trauma-informed approach would greatly enhance prevention and intervention services for elder abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With mounting evidence over the last 20 years regarding the prevalence and severity of trauma histories among social work clients, there has been a concerted effort across schools of social work to embed trauma-informed principles within course content and training. As students work to integrate classroom skills into field practicums, field education departments play a critical role in guiding application of these skills and incorporation of self-care strategies into daily practice. We conducted a scoping review to understand what role field education departments across the United States have assumed in preparing students to work with trauma-affected populations. Following an exhaustive database search (1,523 titles and 895 abstracts were screened; 116 full texts were reviewed), 20 studies met inclusion criteria. The vast majority of initiatives, many of which were externally funded, involved facilitating trauma-informed field placements. Several studies described trauma-informed education models that paired coursework in core trauma concepts with a trauma-focused field placement. Only six initiatives explicitly detailed efforts to equip students with self-care awareness and skills. Findings suggest that while field education departments participate in or design trauma-informed programming, more cross-site and cross-discipline scholarship on best practices is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men who were sexually abused during childhood represent a highly stigmatized, marginalized population at risk for a variety of long-term mental health problems. Using the family integration dimension of Durkheim's theory of suicide, factors associated with suicidal ideation among a purposive sample of 487 men with histories of child sexual abuse were examined. Four variables--length of cohabitation, maternal support after disclosure, parental divorce, and older age--were negatively related to suicidal ideation. The analysis provides partial support for Durkheim's model. Implications for education, clinical practice, and future research are presented. (Contains 2 tables.)

Accessible Summary: What is known on the subject?: Researchers have examined several interventions for psychological distress, mindfulness being a popular one. One intervention that fosters mindfulness is mantram repetition.Mantram repetition is an ancient traditional practice of repeating a sacred word/phrase at various times throughout the day and whenever needed. Psychologically, mantram repetition can mitigate immediate stressors. When used consistently, mantram repetition promotes resilience and deepens mindfulness, thereby promoting recovery from distress. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: This paper examines the overall effect of mantram repetition on psychological distress symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety and somatization). What are the implications for practice?: The portable, cost‐effective, mantram repetition intervention outperformed standard therapies.In people who are prone to psychological distress, practitioners might teach this technique, encouraging them to use it initially as they go through their day and then when they are experiencing distress.Mantram repetition can quiet the mind and pairs well with breathing exercises and routine activities such as walking or exercising, or during chores, thus, integrating the mantram into daily life. Introduction: Researchers have examined several interventions for psychological distress, mindfulness being a popular one. One mindfulness intervention is mantram repetition. Mantram repetition is an ancient traditional practice of repeating a sacred word/phrase at various times throughout the day and whenever needed. Aim: To examine the evidence of the effect of mantram repetition on psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety and somatization). Method: We searched 16 databases and retrieved 12 studies testing the effects of mantram repetition; only four of these measured aspects of psychological distress with comparison groups. Results: All studies showed positive effects ranging from very mild (.08) to very strong (.71). The summary effect across all studies was small (.23, p =.015). Importantly, this small effect was found when compared to treatment as usual and even psychotherapy. Discussion: The portable, cost‐effective, mantram repetition intervention outperformed standard therapies. Implications for Practice: In patients who are prone to psychological distress, practitioners might teach this technique, encouraging them to use it initially as they go through their day and then when they are experiencing distress. Mantram repetition could be practiced with breathing exercises, when walking or exercising, or during chores, integrating the mantram into daily life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship among severe child sexual abuse, disclosure, and mental health symptoms during adulthood. The sample consisted of 172 adults who were sexually abused in childhood. The multivariate model showed that respondents in their 30s and 40s who were abused by more than one abuser, who were injured by their abusers, who were abused by a biological relative, who told someone about the abuse when it occurred, and who did not discuss their abuse in depth within one year of the abuse had a greater number of mental health symptoms. Abuse severity and disclosure history should be assessed by professionals to identify clients who are at higher risk of mental health symptoms and to focus therapy. (Contains 2 tables.)

Background and Objectives Guided by the life course perspective and traumagenic dynamics theory, the current study examines (a) the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on older adults' sexual and marital outcomes, (b) the mediating role of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in the association between childhood adversities and sexual and marital satisfaction, and (c) whether gender moderates the mediational association. Research Design and Methods We examined 5,391 adults in their early 70s who participated in the 2010–2011 Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. A series of structural equation models was performed to examine the direct and indirect effect of CSA and other ACEs on sexual and marital outcomes in later life. Results CSA was directly associated with lower levels of sexual and marital satisfaction in late adulthood. Other ACEs were associated with currently not being married and greater numbers of marriages. Furthermore, other ACEs were significantly associated with low levels of marital satisfaction through IPV victimization. The moderated mediational analysis showed that the negative indirect effect of other ACEs on marital satisfaction via IPV victimization was stronger for women than men. Discussion and Implications Using a population-based sample, this is one of the first studies demonstrating that distal life events such as CSA and ACEs can undermine older adults' sexual and marital health, and revictimization in adulthood may serve as a mechanism for the association. Timely intervention is needed to prevent persistent negative effects of childhood violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public sector social workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories experience loss and trauma on a daily basis. Study objectives were to: (a) assess levels of three mental health outcomes and (b) examine workplace correlates among Palestinian social workers in the West Bank. Results revealed alarmingly high percentages of workers who met clinical thresholds for somatic symptoms (70.9%), distress (34.7%), and anxiety (19.3%). Multivariate regression models explained 25–32% of outcome variance. Job stress, exposure to violence, and job satisfaction were significant in two models, and physical health was significant in three models. Policy, practice, and future research implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unaccompanied children have arrived in increasing numbers to the United States since 2014, with 69,488 referrals to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in 2019. Little is known about the health and well‐being of unaccompanied children placed in long‐term foster care. This study includes a secondary analysis of administrative data from a national non‐profit that provides services and advocacy for unaccompanied children in long‐term foster care. The focus of the study was to examine how histories of child maltreatment (verbal, physical and sexual abuse and neglect) and substance abuse are associated with adverse outcomes in a sample of unaccompanied children in long‐term foster care (n = 204). Results from a negative binomial regression model indicate a history of sexual abuse and history of neglect are associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes for these children at their time of discharge from long‐term foster care. Research and practice implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work professionals experience job-related stressors often associated with compromised mental health. In low-resource, conflict settings, such as the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), structural and environmental obstacles pose additional challenges. This qualitative study identified stressors faced by 237 Palestinian social workers, current organizational strategies to reduce worker stress, and recommendations for new strategies. Content analysis identified 12 categories of stressors within five domains: role-related, interpersonal, organizational, societal, and miscellaneous. Current stress reduction efforts are perceived as ineffective, but numerous suggestions were offered for new initiatives. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed. Practice Points Palestinian public sector social workers face a litany of stressors at multiple levels, including role-related, interpersonal, organizational, and societal. In addition to the types of workplace stressors typically associated with social worker burnout and secondary traumatic stress, Palestinian social workers must also contend with stressors related to operating in a low-resource setting and under Israeli military occupation. While the Palestinian Ministry of Social Development is limited in its capacity to address many of the structural factors that contribute to worker stress, opportunities exist to promote worker well-being at an organizational level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Elder abuse victimization is increasingly recognized as a pressing public health concern. However, few empirical studies have investigated whether early life course adversities and midlife sequelae heighten risks for abuse in late life. Guided by cumulative disadvantage theory, the current study examined whether compromised health in middle adulthood (physical, psychological, cognitive) mediates the association between child abuse and elder abuse. Method This secondary analysis was based on data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, a population-based, multi-wave dataset. We analyzed responses from 5,968 participants (mean age = 71 years; 54% female) on adapted versions of standardized measures: elder abuse victimization (outcome variable), childhood adversities (independent variable), and midlife health (physical health, depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning; mediator variables). Serial multiple mediation models were conducted, controlling for background characteristics. Results Rates for any elder abuse and child adversities were, respectively, 16.34% and 47.98%. Multivariate analyses supported the cumulative disadvantage hypothesis. Childhood adversities (0.11, p <.001) and midlife health (physical, −0.10, p <.05; depressive symptoms, 0.09, p <.001; cognitive functioning, 0.02, p <.05) had significant direct effects on elder abuse victimization. Childhood adversities also had an indirect effect on elder abuse through physical health (0.002, p <.05) and depressive symptoms (0.01, p <.001), both in serial. Discussion This innovative study advances our understanding mechanisms through which childhood trauma influences abuse in late life. Boosting health in middle adulthood could help prevent elder abuse. Other implications for clinical practice, treatment, and future research on elder abuse are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the contribution of social–demographic characteristics, employee attitudes and environmental factors in explaining levels of organisational commitment amongst public sector social workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected in the summer of 2016 from employees at twelve local directorates of the Ministry of Social Development (N  =   237) in the West Bank. Palestinian social workers reported extremely high levels of overall organisational commitment. Results of multiple regressions revealed predictors of this outcome, including job stress, job satisfaction and service orientation. As hypothesised, job satisfaction and service orientation were positively related to the dependent variable. Surprisingly, higher levels of job stress were related to higher levels of organisational commitment. Implications for organisational policies and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examines the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), internalized and externalized psychological distress, and six measures of parenting behavior among fathers in the United States. Background: Prior research on ACEs and parenting has focused almost exclusively on mothers, specific types of childhood adversity, and the intergenerational transmission of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic experiences. This study extends the literature by considering ACEs in fathers, using a multidimensional measure of ACEs, and multiple measures of positive and negative fathering behavior. Method: Using the ecological model of father involvement, this study is based on a national sample of more than 2,000 fathers with children between 2 and 18 years old in the United States. Seemingly unrelated regression models were used to analyze the relationship between ACEs and each fathering behavior, with two measures of psychological distress included as mediators of this relationship. Results: ACEs are significantly associated with both internalized and externalized psychological distress. Experiencing multiple ACEs was negatively associated with paternal warmth, engagement, caregiving, and father–child relationship quality. Multiple ACEs were also positively associated with the use of harsh discipline. High ACE scores were mediated by internalized distress for five fathering behaviors and by externalized distress for warmth and harsh discipline. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of ACEs and psychological distress for fathering. These results have implications for future research and public health approaches to childhood trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines: (a) rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of unaccompanied immigrant children in the United States, and (b) psychometric properties of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale. Caseworkers subcontracted by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services originally collected data in 2018 from unaccompanied children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who received post-release services in nine states (n = 149). The overall rate of PTSD in the sample was 8.1%; differences by country of origin were observed. Results from an exploratory factor analysis indicate a three-factor model is the best fit for the data. Internal reliability for the total CPSS scale was excellent (α =.93). Implications for practice and future research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]