Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate associations, unique and interactive, between mothers’ and children’s histories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and children’s psychiatric outcomes using an intergenerational perspective. Further, we were particularly interested in examining whether maternal reflective functioning about their own trauma (T-RF) was associated with a lower likelihood of children’s abuse exposure (among children of CSA-exposed mothers). Methods: One hundred and eleven children ( M age = 9.53 years; 43 sexual abuse victims) and their mothers ( M age = 37.99; 63 sexual abuse victims) participated in this study. Mothers completed the Parent Development Interview (PDI), which yielded assessments of RF regarding their own experiences of abuse, and also reported on their children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Results: Children of CSA-exposed mothers were more likely to have experienced CSA. A key result was that among CSA-exposed mothers, higher maternal T-RF regarding their own abuse was associated with lower likelihood of child CSA-exposure. Mothers’ and children’s CSA histories predicted children’s internalizing and externalizing symptoms, such that CSA exposure for mother or child was associated with greater symptomatology in children. Conclusion: The findings show that the presence of either maternal or child CSA is associated with more child psychological difficulties. Importantly in terms of identifying potential protective factors, maternal T-RF is associated with lower likelihood of CSA exposure in children of CSA-exposed mothers. We discuss these findings in the context of the need for treatments focusing on increasing T-RF in mothers and children in the context of abuse to facilitate adaptation and reduce the intergenerational risk.

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Highlights A professional organization does not recommend opioid detoxification in pregnancy. Medically-assisted treatment (MAT) is recommended to reduce relapse and dropout. We sampled 55 pregnant women who misused opioids who chose detoxification or MAT. There was no dropout in either group and more relapse with MAT than detoxification. Replication and follow-up are needed to assess relative rates of relapse postpartum.

The current study examines the psychotherapeutic treatment of an early-20s Caucasian male diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. The patient was treated with 56 sessions of psychoanalytic psychotherapy utilizing an object relations approach. Treatment aimed at decreasing the patient’s anger, anxiety, depression, and improving emotion regulation. Another focus of this patient’s treatment was helping him gain insight into the nature of his unconscious predictions and interpretations of others’ behavior in the hope that he may begin to experience relationships with greater emotional connection and less conflict. Treatment outcomes were measured using Reliable Change Index analyses, which indicated a significant reduction in anxiety, depression, anger, and emotion regulation difficulty between the beginning of treatment and the most recent session. The patient also demonstrated increased mentalization abilities and fewer anger outbursts throughout the course of treatment. During the sessions surrounding a therapeutic rupture, the patient’s emotion regulation abilities worsened temporarily; therapy shifted during this time to a more supportive analytic framework. An object relations-focused theoretical background and clinical treatment implications are discussed in relation to this case.

(Abstracted from Addict Behav Rep 2020;12:100315) The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends medically assisted treatment (MAT) for the management of women who misuse opioids during pregnancy. Medically assisted treatment allows pregnant women to use opioids at doses that lessen the euphoric effect, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and curb cravings.