Temporal stability and state-dependence of retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment in healthy and depressed adults.

• DOI: 10.1037/pas0001175
• Publication Date: 2022-11-10T14:38:16Z
• Authors: Janik Goltermann; Susanne Meinert; Carina Hülsmann; Katharina Dohm; Dominik Grotegerd; Ronny Redlich; Lena Waltemate; Hannah Lemke; Katharina Thiel; David M. A. Mehler; Verena Enneking; Tiana Borgers; Jonathan Repple; Marius Gruber; Nils Winter; Tim Hahn; Katharina Brosch; Tina Meller; Kai G. Ringwald; Simon Schmitt; Frederike Stein; Julia-Katharina P...; Axel Krug; Igor Nenadić; Tilo Kircher; Nils Opel; Udo Dannlowski
• Keywords: CTQ tree; Longitudinal Study; Depression

Retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment (CM) are widely used. However, their validity has been questioned due to potential depressive bias. Yet, investigations this matter sparse. Thus, we investigated what extent retrospective reports vary in relation longitudinal changes symptomatology. Two-year temporal stability was assessed via the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Diagnosis major disorder (MDD) and symptoms were using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We included a total n = 419 healthy controls (HC), 347 MDD patients, subsample with an initial episode between both assessments (n 27), from two independent cohorts (Marburg-Münster-affective-disorders-cohort-study Münster-Neuroimaging-cohort). Analysis plan hypotheses preregistered prior data analysis. Dimensional CTQ scores highly stable HC across (ICC .956; 95% CI [.949, .963] ICC .950; [.933, .963]) did not differ groups. Stability lower cutoff-based binary (K .551; [.479, .622] K .507; [.371, .640]). Baseline dimensional associated concurrent future BDI scores. predicted variability only small (b 0.101, p .009, R² .021 b 0.292, .320), effect being driven by emotional subscales. Findings suggest that provides temporally CM depressed populations is marginally biased A rather than conceptualization advised improving psychometric quality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).