Severe sexual abuse in childhood and altered neurophysiological response to reward in female adults.

backgroundA relatively understudied but growing body of research indicates that individuals with a history of childhood trauma exhibit altered reward processing in adulthood. Research to date has focused on adversity broadly, with studies typically finding evidence of blunted response to rewards in adults with a history of childhood trauma.

objectiveGiven the role of reward processing in risk for psychopathology and the particularly pathogenic nature of sexual abuse (SA), the present study sought to assess whether adults with a history of severe childhood SA exhibit altered neurophysiological response to rewards. PARTICIPANTS AND

settingFemale adults (N = 105) were included from two study sites that used the same measures of childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, CTQ), reward processing (Doors Task), and psychopathology (SCID).

methodsBased on participants' CTQ and SCID responses, three groups were created: Severe SA (n = 36), Clinical Match (with comparable lifetime psychopathology but no-to-minimal SA history; n = 35), and Healthy Controls (n = 34). Group differences in RewP amplitude were assessed.

resultsThe Severe SA group exhibited larger reward positivity (RewP) amplitude to monetary rewards than the Clinical Match and Healthy Control groups (partial ƞ

conclusionsOur study found that severe SA in childhood was related to a heightened response to reward in adulthood. Furthermore, this was not attributable to the severity of other forms of early trauma or comorbid psychopathology. Future studies are needed to identify how heightened reward processing following severe childhood SA may be implicated in the onset and course of psychopathology.