Familiar scars: an exploration of the biological correlates of child maltreatment in an extended family design

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation was to explore the biological correlates of child maltreatment in a family context. We used an extended family design to investigate intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment, the role of heritability in child maltreatment, and the association of child maltreatment with parent-child

resting state connectome similarity (RScs), hair glucocorticoids, and BMI. In sum, these studies show that child maltreatment (in particular abuse) runs in families

– partly because of genetic factors, partly because of environmental factors – is associated with less dyadic RScs, and higher long-term hair cortisone levels and

weight. Thus, four biological systems – genetic, neural activation, endocrine, metabolic – are implicated in child maltreatment at a family level.