How the past shapes the present : differential mental health trajectories in individuals with and without experiences of childhood abuse and neglect in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective In a large population-based cohort, this study investigates differential trajectories of mental distress for individuals with and without experiences of childhood abuse and neglect during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The data were derived from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) and its add-on, the Gutenberg COVID-19 Study (GCS). The sample included 2744 participants (49.9 % women), mean age 61.25 years (SD = 12.17). Mental health outcomes were assessed using validated instruments, including the PHQ-8 for depression (using the PHQ-9 suicidal-ideation item separately), GAD-2 for anxiety, UCLA 3-item scale for loneliness, and the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). ANOVAs and multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze changes in mental distress symptoms in relation to the extent of experienced childhood abuse and neglect. Results Findings indicated varied impacts of the pandemic on different mental health symptoms: In general, anxiety levels showed a slight decrease, while depression, loneliness, and suicidal ideation increased. Notably, individuals with more abuse and neglect during childhood did not uniformly experience the largest increases in symptoms. For instance, those with a history of childhood abuse and neglect showed smaller increases in loneliness, possibly due to already elevated baseline levels. Conclusions The study shows that considering individual histories of childhood trauma adds to the understanding of mental health trajectories during the pandemic. The findings highlight the complexity of mental health responses and suggest that pre-existing vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms significantly influence mental health outcomes in crises.