Journal Article

DZNE-2025-00116

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Cross-sectional study on the impact of adverse childhood experiences on psychological distress in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Dörner, M. (First author)DZNE* ; von Känel, R. ; Pazhenkottil, A. P. ; Altwegg, R. ; König, N. ; Nager, L. ; Attanasio, V. ; Guth, L. ; Zirngast, S. ; Menzi, A. ; Princip, M. ; Zuccarella-Hackl, C.

2025
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.112033

Abstract: Previous studies implied detrimental effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on cardiovascular disease and mental health. Still, data on the influence of ACE on psychological distress in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are lacking.We prospectively recruited 423 patients with an ICD. To determine associations between ACE (ACE questionnaire, cut-off ≥4), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale), we conducted a binary logistic regression analysis. Regression models were adjusted for conventional risk factors of psychological distress in ICD patients. To identify indirect mediating effects of resilience (Resilience Scale) on ACE and psychological distress, we applied the PROCESS regression path analysis modeling tool.49.1 % of all patients reported at least one ACE, and 9.7 % experienced even four or more ACE. A high-risk ACE profile (≥ 4) was associated with higher levels of anxiety (OR 3.68, 95 % CI 1.37-9.84, p = 0.009), depression (OR 4.08, 95 % CI 1.67-9.97, p = 0.002), and PTSD symptoms (OR 2.20, 95 % CI 1.03-5.21, p = 0.041). Greater resilience partially mediated the relationship between ACE and depression (indirect effect 0.11, 95 % CI 0.01-0.26) as well as anxiety (indirect effect 0.08, 95 % CI 0.008-0.19).The current study suggests an association between ACE and psychological distress in patients with an ICD. However, resilience could mitigate the adverse effects of ACE. Future studies should strive to unravel the complex mechanisms of ACE and its effects on cardiovascular and mental health in ICD patients.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; Defibrillators, Implantable: psychology (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Cross-Sectional Studies (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Psychological Distress (MeSH) ; Adverse Childhood Experiences (MeSH) ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic: psychology (MeSH) ; Anxiety: psychology (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Depression: psychology (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Resilience, Psychological (MeSH) ; Prospective Studies (MeSH) ; Risk Factors (MeSH) ; Stress, Psychological: psychology (MeSH) ; Adverse childhood experiences ; Anxiety ; Depression ; Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ; Post-traumatic stress disorder ; Resilience

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Mixed Cerebral Pathologies and Cognitive Aging (AG Schreiber)

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Current Contents - Social and Behavioral Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Social Sciences Citation Index ; Web of Science Core Collection

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