Association between childhood maltreatment and adult emotional dysregulation in a low-income, urban, African American sample: Moderation by oxytocin receptor gene

May combine two claims.

For AA/AG genotypes, childhood maltreatment accounted for an additional 8% of variance in emotional dysregulation in disorganized models; for GG genotype, 16%.

“Specifically, for the AA/AG genotypes, childhood maltreatment accounted for an additional 8% of the variance, F (1, 83) = 7.19, p = .009, and for the GG genotype, the addition of childhood maltreatment accounted for an additional 16% of the variance, F (1, 141) =28.40, p <.001.”

May combine two claims.

For AA/AG genotypes, childhood maltreatment accounted for an additional 5% of variance in emotional dysregulation; for GG genotype, 19%.

“Specifically, for the AA/ AG genotypes, childhood maltreatment accounted for an additional 5% of the variance, F (1, 85) = 6.58, p = .01; for the GG genotype, childhood maltreatment accounted for an additional 19% of the variance, F (1, 139) = 24.95, p < .001.”

May combine two claims.

In this sample, OXTR rs53576 AA/AG genotypes (previously labeled risk) appear to confer resilience, while the GG genotype (previously labeled resilience) confers risk.

“The data from this sample suggest that genetic variants in OXTR rs53576 that have previously been shown to predict “risk” (AA/AG) appear to confer “resilience.” Likewise, data indicate that the GG variant that has previously conferred “resilience” confers “risk” in our sample.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Negative controls and within- and across-plate duplicates were used for quality control.

“Negative controls and within- and across-plate duplicates were used for quality control.”

May combine two claims.

The Emotional Dysregulation Scale has high internal consistency (α = 0.97) and relates as expected to a range of psychopathology criterion variables.

“This self-report measure of emotional dysregulation demonstrates high internal consistency (α = 0.97) and relates as expected to a range of psychopathology criterion variables including PTSD, substance abuse problems, depression, suicide history, and subjective sense of adaptive functioning (Bradley et al., in press).”

• cites Bradley et al., in pressNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

rs53576 was genotyped using both Taqman and Sequenom with a 28% across-method duplication and a discordance rate of 0.1%.

“rs53576 was genotyped using both Taqman (88.0% call rate) and Sequenom (96.7% call rate) with a 28% across method duplication and a discordance rate of 0.1%.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Adult Attachment Prototype Questionnaire has strong interrater reliability (intraclass r = .76).

“Both prior research using the Adult Attachment Prototype Questionnaire (Westen et al., 2006) and recent data from our research group indicate strong interrater reliability for this measure (intraclass r = .76).”

• cites Westen et al., 2006Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Genotype frequencies were checked for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ2 = 1.61, p = .21).

“Genotype frequencies were checked for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (χ2 = 1.61, p = .21).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Childhood maltreatment is associated with risk for failure to develop a secure attachment style.

“Research has repeatedly demonstrated a relationship between childhood maltreatment and risk for failure to develop a secure attachment style (see, e.g., Cyr, Euser, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & van IJzendoorn, 2010).”

• cites Cyr et al., 2010Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Childhood maltreatment is associated with decreased oxytocin activity in adult women.

“Measuring oxytocin levels in cerebrospinal fluid of adult women, Heim and colleagues (2008) demonstrated an association between maltreatment and decreased oxytocin activity.”

• cites Heim et al., 2008Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

All procedures in this study were approved by the institutional review boards of Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital.

“All procedures in this study were approved by the institutional review boards of Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Secure attachment with a caregiver increases the ability to regulate emotions in a developmentally appropriate manner.

“Research on the development of emotional regulation skills in childhood further suggests that a secure attachment with a caregiver increases the ability to regulate emotions in a developmentally appropriate manner (Thompson, 2008).”

• cites Thompson, 2008Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The effect of OXTR rs53576 genotype varies depending on both sociocultural factors and level of stress.

“There is some prior research (Kim et al., 2010) suggesting that the effect of OXTR rs53576 genotype varies depending on both sociocultural factors and level of stress.”

• cites Kim et al., 2010Not checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

A meta-analytic review found a large effect size for the relationship between child maltreatment and attachment security (d = 2.10, CI = 1.82-2.37) and for the relationship between childhood maltreatment and disorganized/disoriented attachment (d = 2.19, CI = 1.53-2.85).

“A recent meta-analytic review of studies of childhood maltreatment and attachment security and disorganization (Cyr et al., 2010) found a large effect size for the relationship between child maltreatment and attachment security (d = 2.10, confidence interval = 1.82–2.37) and for the relationship between childhood maltreatment and disorganized/disoriented attachment (d = 2.19, confidence interval =”

• cites Cyr et al., 2010Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Disorganized/unresolved attachment style is associated with increased risk for emotional dysregulation and psychopathology involving inability to regulate emotions.

“Unresolved/disorganized attachment has been found to be associated with increased risk for emotional dysregulation as well a number of types of psychopathology that involve inability to effectively regulate emotions in the face of threat or trauma (e.g., dissociation, borderline personality, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]; Bradley & Westen, 2005; Levy, 2005; Lyons-Ruth, Dutra, Schuder, &”

• cites Bradley & Westen, 2005Not checked yet

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• cites Levy, 2005Not checked yet

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• cites Lyons-Ruth et al., 2006Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Written and verbal informed consent was obtained for all participants.

“Eligibility requirements for the study included the ability to give informed consent, and written and verbal informed consent was obtained for all participants.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Oxytocin modulates social behavior and cognition, including mother-infant bonding, social pair bonding, interpersonal trust, and ability to infer facial emotions.

“Oxytocin has been known to modulate social behavior and cognition, including mother–infant bonding, social pair bonding, interpersonal trust, or ability to infer facial emotions, in both animal and human studies (Bakermans-Kranenburg & van IJzendoorn, 2008; Costa et al., 2009; Donaldson & Young, 2008; Lerer et al., 2007; Lucht et al., 2009; Rodrigues, Saslow, Garcia, John, & Keltner, 2009; Ross &”

• cites Bakermans-Kranenburg & van IJzendoorn, 2008Not checked yet

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• cites Costa et al., 2009Not checked yet

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• cites Donaldson & Young, 2008Not checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Oxytocin increases the perceived salience of social cues.

“Specifically, recent research on the role of oxytocin and social behavior has suggested that oxytocin increases the perceived salience of social cues (Bartz et al., 2010; Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009).”

• cites Bartz et al., 2010Not checked yet

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• cites Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

In interactions with an abusive caregiver, a tendency to seek proximity may lead to further distress and undermine the ability to regulate emotions.

“However, in interactions with an abusive caregiver, a tendency to seek proximity may lead to further distress and undermine the ability to regulate emotions.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The assumption underlying "normal" attachment processes is that proximity to the caregiver supports emotional regulation.

“The assumption underlying “normal” attachment processes is that proximity to the caregiver supports emotional regulation (Mikulincer, Shaver, & Pereg, 2003).”

• cites Mikulincer, Shaver, & Pereg, 2003Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The differential susceptibility theory posits that the same genetic factors that impact sensitivity to negative/adverse environmental influences also impact sensitivity to positive/enriching environmental influences.

“This theory suggests that the same genetic factors that impact sensitivity and susceptibility to negative/adverse environmental influences also impact sensitivity to positive/enriching environmental influences.”

• cites Belsky et al., 2009Not checked yet

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• cites Belsky & Pluess, 2009Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Early life/childhood insecure and disorganized attachment predicts cortisol elevation in response to stress.

“Related research using cortisol levels as a marker of stress response finds that early life/childhood insecure and disorganized attachment predicts cortisol elevation in response to stress (Borelli et al., 2010; Gunnar, Mangelsdorf, Larson, & Hertsgaard, 1989; Hertsgaard, Gunnar, Erickson, & Nachmias, 1995; Schieche & Spangler, 2005).”

• cites Borelli et al., 2010Not checked yet

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• cites Gunnar, Mangelsdorf, Larson, & Hertsgaard, 1989Not checked yet

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• cites Hertsgaard, Gunnar, Erickson, & Nachmias, 1995Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Abuse-related parenting behaviors (threatening, frightening, frightened, dissociative, withdrawal, inappropriate emotional responsiveness) are associated with increased risk for a disorganized attachment style in children.

“Specifically, data suggest that abuse-related parenting behaviors, including threatening, frightening, frightened and dissociative behaviors, as well as withdrawal and inappropriate emotional responsiveness are associated with increased risk for a disorganized attachment style in children (Abrams, Rifkin, & Hesse, 2006; Madigan et al., 2006; Schuengel et al., 1999; van IJzendoorn et al., 1999).”

• cites Abrams, Rifkin, & Hesse, 2006Not checked yet

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• cites Madigan et al., 2006Not checked yet

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• cites Schuengel et al., 1999Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In the case of childhood maltreatment, increased attunement and sensitivity to the environment/social context might lead to increased risk for a disorganized/unresolved attachment style.

“In the case of childhood maltreatment, caregivers are intermittently and inconsistently comforting and threatening, and increased attunement and sensitivity to this type of environment/social context might lead to increased risk for a disorganized/unresolved attachment style.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: In the case of childhood maltreatment, caregivers are intermittently and inconsistently comforting and threatening.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

This study relies on self-report of childhood abuse and emotional dysregulation.

“This study relies on self-report of childhood abuse and emotional dysregulation.”

May combine two claims.

This research was conducted in a homogeneous sample with respect to both race and income, and factors specific to this low income, urban, primarily African American sample may relate to the results.

“In addition, this research was conducted in a homogeneous sample with respect to both race and income, making it important to consider the possibility that factors specific to this low income, urban, primarily African American sample may relate to the results of the study.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The A allele (AA/AG) is associated with increased risk for autism compared to the GG genotype.

“Data from Wu and colleagues (2005) have indicated increased risk for autism in the individuals with the A allele (AA/AG) compared to those with the GG genotype.”

• cites Wu and colleagues (2005)Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

AA/AG genotypes were associated with lower levels of sensitive parenting compared to the GG genotype.

“Bakermans-Kranenburg and van IJzendoorn (2008) found that the AA/AG genotypes were associated with lower levels of sensitive parenting compared to the GG genotype.”

• cites Bakermans-Kranenburg and van IJzendoorn (2008)Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The same individuals who are most susceptible to adverse environmental experiences are also the most likely to respond to enriching/positive environmental influences.

“Thus, the same individuals who are most susceptible to adverse environmental experiences are also the most likely to respond to enriching/positive environmental influences (Belsky et al., 2009; Belsky & Pluess, 2009).”

• cites Belsky et al., 2009Not checked yet

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• cites Belsky & Pluess, 2009Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Higher levels of perceived parental care mitigated the effect of childhood stress on aggression/impulsivity among both low-expressing and heterozygous MAOA-uVNTR allele carriers but did not show an effect in the group homozygous for the high-expressing MAOA-uVNTR allele.

“For example, recent research (Kinnally et al., 2009) found that in a sample of adult female participants, higher levels of perceived parental care mitigated the effect of childhood stress on aggression/impulsivity among both low-expressing and heterozygous monoamine oxidase A upstream variable number tandem repeat (MAOA-uVNTR) allele carriers but did not show an effect in the group homozygous for”

• cites Kinnally et al., 2009Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The study used a well-validated self-report instrument that has been used in many other studies including other G×E studies, allowing data to be compared with other research.

“Although there are limitations to this method of assessment, we used a well-validated self-report instrument that has been used in many other studies including other G×E studies, which allows data from this study to be compared with other research.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

GG individuals demonstrated higher levels of empathy and lower levels of stress reactivity compared to AA or AG individuals.

“In a study of college students, GG individuals demonstrated higher levels of empathy and lower levels of stress reactivity as compared to AA or AG individuals (Rodrigues et al., 2009).”

• cites Rodrigues et al., 2009Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

This should be considered a preliminary study, and replication in other samples is needed.

“In addition, this should be considered a preliminary study, and replication in other samples is needed.”

May combine two claims.

Early life stress simultaneously activates both attachment and fear neural systems, and this combined fear/attachment learning circuit involves a cascade of events beginning with cortisol release in response to stress.

“Translational research conducted by Sullivan and colleagues (Moriceau, Roth, & Sullivan, 2010; Moriceau, Shionoya, Jakubs, & Sullivan, 2009) has demonstrated that early life stress simultaneously activates both attachment and fear neural systems and that this combined fear/attachment learning circuit involves a cascade of events beginning with cortisol release in response to stress.”

• cites Moriceau, Roth, & Sullivan, 2010Not checked yet

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• cites Moriceau, Shionoya, Jakubs, & Sullivan, 2009Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

To the extent that these data are consistent with differential susceptibility to environment, these types of interventions may be the most effective for the most vulnerable children.

“To the extent that these data are consistent with differential susceptibility to environment, these types of interventions may be the most effective for the most vulnerable children.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Rat pups raised in experimentally induced "abusive attachment" compared to normal pups demonstrated increased amygdala activity in response to maternal odor following a corticosterone injection.

“For example, one recent study by this group found that rat pups raised in experimentally induced “abusive attachment” compared to normal pups demonstrated increased amygdala activity in response to maternal odor following a corticosterone injection (Raineki, Moriceau, & Sullivan, 2010).”

• cites Raineki, Moriceau, & Sullivan, 2010Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

The primary limitations of this study are associated with the use of cross-sectional data and retrospective data collection.

“The primary limitations for this study are associated with the use of cross-sectional data and retrospective data collection.”