Are Childhood Sexual Abuse and Intimate Safety in Adult Intimate Relationships Correlated?

Individuals who have experienced childhood sexual abuse report numerous problems in intimate relationships, including their physical and sexual experience. Satisfying sexuality arises from intimate safety, the prerequisite for which is mutual trust, which, however, can be impaired due to betrayal in individuals who were traumatized by sexual abuse in their childhood. In a study with 168 participants, we were interested in differences in intimate safety within intimate relationships (measured by the ISQ – Intimate Safety Questionnaire subscale which refers to sexual safety). Differences were studied within two groups of couples – those who had experienced childhood sexual abuse and those who had never experienced the sexual abuse in childhood. We found that among the participating couples, in 42 (50%) couples at least one of the partners experienced at least one type of sexual abuse. One or more types of sexual abuse in childhood were experienced by 12 (14%) men and 39 (46.4%) women. We also found that in couples who had experienced sexual abuse in childhood and couples who had not, there is a difference in intimate safety in their sexual life. The couples who had not experienced sexual abuse in childhood reported statistically significantly higher sexual safety in their intimate relationships. We can conclude that childhood sexual abuse trauma is expressed in sexual intimacy with mistrust, which through the decreased feeling of safety inhibits individuals’ vulnerability and reduces the opportunity to create intimacy. The survey was limited by a biased sample.Individuals who have experienced childhood sexual abuse report numerous problems in intimate relationships, including their physical and sexual experience. Satisfying sexuality arises from intimate safety, the prerequisite for which is mutual trust, which, however, can be impaired due to betrayal in individuals who were traumatized by sexual abuse in their childhood. In a study with 168 participants, we were interested in differences in intimate safety within intimate relationships (measured by the ISQ – Intimate Safety Questionnaire subscale which refers to sexual safety). Differences were studied within two groups of couples – those who had experienced childhood sexual abuse and those who had never experienced the sexual abuse in childhood. We found that among the participating couples, in 42 (50%) couples at least one of the partners experienced at least one type of sexual abuse. One or more types of sexual abuse in childhood were experienced by 12 (14%) men and 39 (46.4%) women. We also found that in couples who had experienced sexual abuse in childhood and couples who had not, there is a difference in intimate safety in their sexual life. The couples who had not experienced sexual abuse in childhood reported statistically significantly higher sexual safety in their intimate relationships. We can conclude that childhood sexual abuse trauma is expressed in sexual intimacy with mistrust, which through the decreased feeling of safety inhibits individuals’ vulnerability and reduces the opportunity to create intimacy. The survey was limited by a biased sample

Consequences of Childhood Sexual Abuse for Intimate Couple Relationship according to Relational Marital Therapy

Childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience, the consequences of which are numerous in adult intimate relationships. Couples often have problems in maintaining their relationships and frequently face problems in their sexual life. Because of the consequences that they experience and which they usually do not attribute to past trauma, couples increasingly seek therapeutic help. A safe therapeutic relationship enables the formation of new neural connections and a change in relational structures. Identifying and understanding the consequences of sexual abuse with elements of dual awareness is essential for the partnership and healing of both partners. The purpose of the article is to deepen the understanding of the consequences of childhood sexual abuse for couple relationships according to the Relational Marital Therapy paradigm.Childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience, the consequences of which are numerous in adult intimate relationships. Couples often have problems in maintaining their relationships and frequently face problems in their sexual life. Because of the consequences that they experience and which they usually do not attribute to past trauma, couples increasingly seek therapeutic help. A safe therapeutic relationship enables the formation of new neural connections and a change in relational structures. Identifying and understanding the consequences of sexual abuse with elements of dual awareness is essential for the partnership and healing of both partners. The purpose of the article is to deepen the understanding of the consequences of childhood sexual abuse for couple relationships according to the Relational Marital Therapy paradigm

Success rate of surface-treated and non-treated orthodontic miniscrews as anchorage reinforcement in the lower arch for the Herbst appliance: A single-centre, randomised split-mouth clinical trial

Background Surface treatment of miniscrews was implemented to determine whether its application increased bone-to-surface contact and enhanced the interlock between the device and the surrounding bone. Objectives To compare the success rate of surface-treated and non-treated orthodontic miniscrews used as reinforcement of anchorage during treatment with the Herbst appliance. Trial design Split-mouth design with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Methods Eligibility criteria to enrol patients were skeletal and dental class II patients with a retrusive chin, use of the Herbst appliance to correct malocclusion, need for skeletal anchorage using a miniscrew both in the left and right side of the mouth, absence of systemic diseases, absence of using drugs that alter bone metabolism, and good oral hygiene. Patients received self-drilling miniscrews without surface treatment and with surface treatment. Both types presented a 1.4 or 1.2 mm diameter. Miniscrews were inserted between the first molar and second premolars or between the two premolars. The force applied to the screws was an elastic chain from the head of the miniscrews to a direct button applied on the canines. The success rate of each type of miniscrew was considered the primary outcome, and the association of success with demographical, clinical, and geometrical characteristics was investigated. Differences were tested by the generalised linear mixed effects model for the split-mouth design. Differences with a P-value < 0.05 were selected as significant. Randomisation A randomisation list was created for the mouth side assignment. Blinding The study was single blinded with regard to the statistical analysis. Results Thirty-nine miniscrews of the non-treated type and 39 miniscrews of the surface-treated type were inserted in 39 patients (23 female and 16 male, mean age: 15.55 +/- 7.91) recruited between March 2018 and December 2020 with a split-mouth study design. The mean therapy duration was 9.3 months (SD = 1.31). No differences in failure rate were observed between miniscrew types. No serious harm was observed. Conclusions The success rate of surface-treated and non-treated miniscrews showed no significant differences. Registration This trial was not registered

Maximum insertion torque loss after miniscrew placement in orthodontic patients: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives To compare torque recordings of immediately loaded orthodontic miniscrews between insertion time and different post-placement timepoints (2 weeks, 4 weeks and removal time, respectively).Setting and sample population Parallel trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Eligibility criteria were needs of fixed orthodontic treatment, no systemic disease and absence of using drugs altering bone metabolism.Material and methods Patients received miniscrews, 2.0 mm diameter and 10 mm length. All miniscrews underwent inter-radicular placement, and they were placed in the maxilla or in the mandible, palatally or buccally. No pre-drilling was performed. Miniscrews were loaded immediately after the insertion and were used for distalization, intrusion, extrusion, mesialization or indirect anchorage. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. For each patient, Maximum Insertion Torque (MIT) was evaluated at baseline. MIT was measured again after 2 weeks and after 4 weeks by tightening the screw a quarter of turn in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. At the end of the treatment, maximal removal torque was evaluated in Group 3. Torque variation with respect to insertion time was considered as the primary outcome. Baseline and longitudinal differences were tested using the linear mixed-effects (LME) model.Results Forty seven patients and 74 miniscrews were followed up. An association existed between maximum insertion torque and the observation time. A torque decrease of 26.9% and 30% after 2 weeks was observed for mandibular and maxillary miniscrews, respectively. After 1 month, torque values were similar to the baseline records. The overall success rate was 79.7%. No serious harm was observed.Conclusions Maximum insertion torque undergoes a loss during the first 2 weeks, and its values may depend on the insertion site and the anchorage purpose. Removal torque value is almost the same as the initial torque after 1 month

Spirituality as a positive way of coping with difficult life trials and trauma

Several studies show that spirituality plays an important role in coping with life trials and traumas. We wanted to verify this on a random sample of 494 Slovenian participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were interested in which difficult and traumatic life trials they found faith in God helpful. Respondents most often mentioned the death of a loved one, illness, miscarriage, and divorce. The results can be useful for professionals in the system of providing help and encouragement for individuals to cope with difficult, traumatic experiences and reduce stress effectively

Evaluation of palatal bone depth, cortical bone, and mucosa thickness for optimal orthodontic miniscrew placement performed according to the third palatal ruga clinical reference

Objectives This retrospective CBCT study aimed to evaluate the palatal anatomical characteristics using the third palatal ruga as a reliable clinical reference for miniscrew placement. Methods Thirty-six subjects (mean age17.1 y.o. +/- 4.1) were randomly selected and their records (CBCT volume and maxillary digital models) were included. BlueSkyPlan CBCT software viewer (BluSkyBio, V4.7) was used to measure the following outcomes at the level of third palatal ruga, 2 mm anteriorly and 2 mm posteriorly: total bone depth, cortical bone thickness, and mucosa thickness. The outcomes were evaluated on lines perpendicular to the palatal mucosa laying on different sagittal planes: the mid-palatal plane, 2 and 4 mm paramedian planes. Results The maximum mean amount of bone depth was registered 2 mm posteriorly to the third ruga and 4 mm paramedian (9.7 mm). No significant difference was observed between the third ruga insertion site and its corresponding 2 mm posterior site. Cortical bone of palatal vault did not change significantly in anteroposterior direction for all the considered sites. Significant differences were found comparing cortical bone at the suture level with cortical bone 2-mm and 4-mm paramedian at all anteroposterior levels. Palatal mucosa increases its thickness in paramedian insertion sites, and it decreases in posterior insertion sites. Conclusions Both third palatal ruga and 2 mm posteriorly to third ruga (4 mm paramedian) could be the optimal insertion site for palatal miniscrew placement, depending on individual anatomic conditions. The thickness of the cortical palatal bone showed, at 4 mm paramedian, optimal characteristics for miniscrew primary stability. Palatal mucosa thickness values suggest miniscrew neck extension of 2.0-2.5 mm for optimal mucosa adaptation

Accuracy of direct insertion of TADs in the anterior palate with respect to a 3D-assisted digital insertion virtual planning

Background Direct and 3D-assisted methods are an available alternative when inserting temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in the anterior palate for orthodontic anchorage. This study aimed to evaluate the differences between a planned insertion versus a direct method on digital models. Settings and sample population Seventy TADs were inserted by the direct insertion method in 35 patients who needed palatal TADs for orthodontic anchorage. For each patient, placement was independently planned by the superimposition of lateral cephalograms and corresponding plaster models. After mini-implant placement, impressions were taken with scanbodies. For the measurement of both linear and angle deviations, virtual planning models and postoperative oral scans were compared using 3D software for automatic surface registration and calculations. Results Comparing TADs positioned by the direct method and the digitally planned method, a mean linear distance was found of 2.54 +/- 1.51 mm in the occlusal view and 2.41 +/- 1.33 mm in the sagittal view. No significant difference has been found between TADs positioned in the right and left palatal sides. A mean distance of 7.65 +/- 2.16 mm was found between the tip of the digitally planned TAD and the central incisors root apex. Conclusions Both direct and 3D-assisted TAD insertion methods are safe and accurate in the anterior palate. However, the use of insertion guides facilitates TAD insertion, allowing less-experienced clinicians to use palatal implants