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Birth weight is considered as an important indicator of environmental conditions during prenatal development. Molecular mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications, play central roles in the body's adaptation to ever-changing environmental conditions. Twin study designs offer a powerful approach for distinguishing environmental from genetic effects. Specifically, within-pair comparisons of monozygotic twins can be used to differentiate unique individual environmental factors from shared environmental and genetic contributions. Notably, numerous studies in monozygotic twins have shown associations between prenatal environment and birth weight discordance (BWD), and suggested a potential involvement of gene expression and epigenetic factors mediating the association. To conduct a scoping review of the literature on definitions of BWD and on epigenetic modifications and gene expression changes associated with BWD in twins. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE(R) databases and included 34 twin studies focusing on birth weight and epigenetic or gene expression outcomes. There is a lack of consensus on BWD values when comparing groups of twins for their risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity, which vary between 15-30% depending on the type of placentation and gestational age. The gene expression twin studies measured mostly metabolism-related candidate genes in placental tissues. Only small-scale twin studies measured BWD associated with gene expression patterns on genome-wide level using neonatal cells. Most DNA methylation twin studies conducted epigenome-level analyses, and studies differ substantially in terms of tissue type and age of the children. Differences in DNA methylation patterns measured in blood or saliva samples of the twins later in life were mostly in genes related to signal transduction, cell differentiation and proliferation processes. Transcriptional changes of placental glucose transporters and hypoxia-induced proteins possibly reflect compensatory processes in twin pregnancies. Gene ontology analysis of the differentially methylated genes associated with BWD pointed to transcription regulation and tissue development.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is encoded by the NR3C1 (Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 3 Group C Member 1) gene plays an important role in the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity by providing feedback regulation which allows termination of the stress response. Little is known about epigenetic programming at the level of NGFI-A (nerve growth factor-inducible protein A) putative binding site (CpG) of the NR3C1 exon 1F in dyads mother-child exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) more specifically in an unstudied region such as the sub-Saharan Africa where levels of violence are very high. Examine NR3C1 exon 1F methylation in response to IPV and possible association with cortisol concentration and mental health. We recruited 20 mother-child dyads exposed to IPV and a control group of 20 mother-child dyads not exposed to IPV. We administered self-reported questionnaires to measure mother's mental health and collected saliva samples for cortisol dosage and bisulfite sequencing of DNA methylation. Regarding the mothers, our results showed a significant difference in methylation level at CpG 16-21 sites of the NR3C1 exon 1F promoter region between the groups. In the exposed group as compared to the control group, there was a significant positive association between the level of methylation at CpG 16-21 sites and mother's mental health in particular anxiety symptoms. However, we did not find any significant correlation between methylation level and cortisol concentration. In children, we did not find any significant results. This study highlights a NGFI-A putative binding site (CpG 16-21) that is more methylated in mothers exposed to IPV and which may have the potential to confer vulnerability for psychopathologies.

Background The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is encoded by the NR3C1 (Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 3 Group C Member 1) gene plays an important role in the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity by providing feedback regulation which allows termination of the stress response. Little is known about epigenetic programming at the level of NGFI-A (nerve growth factor-inducible protein A) putative binding site (CpG) of the NR3C1 exon 1F in dyads mother-child exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) more specifically in an unstudied region such as the sub-Saharan Africa where levels of violence are very high. Objective Examine NR3C1 exon 1F methylation in response to IPV and possible association with cortisol concentration and mental health. Method We recruited 20 mother–child dyads exposed to IPV and a control group of 20 mother–child dyads not exposed to IPV. We administered self-reported questionnaires to measure mother’s mental health and collected saliva samples for cortisol dosage and bisulfite sequencing of DNA methylation. Results Regarding the mothers, our results showed a significant difference in methylation level at CpG 16–21 sites of the NR3C1 exon 1F promoter region between the groups. In the exposed group as compared to the control group, there was a significant positive association between the level of methylation at CpG 16–21 sites and mother’s mental health in particular anxiety symptoms. However, we did not find any significant correlation between methylation level and cortisol concentration. In children, we did not find any significant results. Conclusion This study highlights a NGFI-A putative binding site (CpG 16–21) that is more methylated in mothers exposed to IPV and which may have the potential to confer vulnerability for psychopathologies.

Parents' experiences of IPV are associated with an increased risk for their children to experience IPV. However, the factors that may contribute to intergenerational IPV, particularly between adult mothers and daughters, are still poorly understood. To fill this gap in the literature, this preliminary study examines the moderating role of social support in IPV cycles among Cameroonian mother-daughter dyads. Sixty-one mother-daughter dyads completed questionnaires individually. We performed moderation analysis to examine if the association between mothers' experiences of IPV and daughters' experiences of IPV was moderated by daughters' social support. Results showed that social support influences the strength of the association between mothers' and daughters' IPV victimization. As levels of social support reported by daughters increased, the strength of the association between their and their mothers' experiences of IPV victimization decreased. At high levels of social support, this association was no longer significant (  = 0.09,  = 0.27,  = 0.34,  > .05). Support from family and friends is important in contexts of intergenerational IPV; thus, interventions aimed at preventing and reducing IPV may aim to strengthen these informal support systems to mitigate the effect of IPV.

Background: Although eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PTSD for years, it remains controversial due to the lack of understanding of its mechanisms of action. We examined whether the working memory (WM) hypothesis –the competition for limited WM resources induced by the dual task attenuates the vividness and emotionality of the traumatic memory – would provide an explanation for the beneficial effect induced by bilateral stimulation. Methods: We followed the Prisma guidelines and identified 11 articles categorized in two types of designs: studies involving participants with current PTSD symptoms and participants without PTSD diagnosis. Results: Regardless of the types of studies, the results showed a reduction of vividness and emotionality in the recall of traumatic stimuli under a dual-task condition compared to a control condition, such as recall alone. However, two studies used a follow-up test to show that this effect does not seem to last long. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence for the WM hypothesis and suggest that recalling a traumatic memory while performing a secondary task would shift the individual’s attention away from the retrieval process and result in a reduction in vividness and emotionality, also associated with the reduction of symptoms.

Student engagement in traumatic stress research is recognised in academic settings, yet few studies have examined students' contributions or the structural barriers limiting their involvement. This letter aims to offer a critical reflection on the evolving role of students in global trauma research. We reviewed student contributions to research innovation and examined systemic obstacles and inequities faced by students globally. Our reflection identifies five key contributions of student-led initiatives: (1) Promoting inclusive and globally responsive research. (2) Enhancing the democratisation of knowledge production. (3) Advancing methodological diversity. (4) Amplifying marginalised voices within academic spaces. (5) Informing trauma research that reflects local epistemologies and lived realities. Persistent challenges include limited funding, institutional recognition, and inequitable access to research infrastructure, which disproportionately affect students in under-resourced settings. Greater institutional support for student leadership and collaboration, investing in student-led networks and fostering equitable research partnerships for emerging scholars may help build a more inclusive and globally responsive research agenda within the field of psychotraumatology.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is thought to be associated with altered responses to social stimuli and interpersonal signals. However, limited evidence exists that CM is linked to larger comfortable interpersonal distance (CID) – the physical distance humans prefer towards others during social interactions. However, no previous study has investigated this association in a comprehensive sample, yielding sufficient statistical power. Moreover, preliminary findings are limited to the European region. Finally, it is unclear how CM affects CID towards different interaction partners, and whether CID is linked to social functioning and attachment. To address these outstanding issues, adults ( N  = 2986) from diverse cultures and socio-economic strata completed a reaction time task measuring CID towards an approaching stranger and friend. Higher CM was linked to a larger CID towards both friends and strangers. Moreover, insecure attachment and less social support were associated with larger CID. These findings demonstrate for the first time that CM affects CID across countries and cultures, highlighting the robustness of this association.

Background: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) and resilience, regarded as positive psychological change following a traumatic experience, are under-researched across cultures in people exposed to child maltreatment (CM).Objective: We investigated how experiences and the perceived acceptability of CM are related to resilience and PTG in countries with different cultures, living standards, and gross national income.Method: A total of 478 adults from Cameroon (n = 111), Canada (n = 137), Japan (n = 108), and Germany (n = 122) completed an online survey with self-reported questionnaires, including the Brief Resilience Scale and the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form.Results: Across countries, self-reported male gender and age were positively associated with resilience, while experiences of physical abuse and emotional maltreatment were negatively associated with resilience. Experiences of emotional maltreatment were positively associated with PTG. Higher levels of PTG and resilience were found amongst Cameroonian participants as compared to other countries.Conclusion: Our results suggest that positive changes following CM can vary significantly across cultures and that experiences of specific CM subtypes, but not the perceived acceptability of CM, may be important for a deeper understanding of how individuals overcome trauma and develop salutogenic outcomes. Our findings may inform CM intervention programmes for an enhanced cultural sensitivity.

Perceived social support is an established predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a traumatic event. Gender is an important factor that could differentiate responses to social support, yet this has been little explored. Symptoms of complex PTSD are also common following trauma but have been under-researched in this context. Large scale studies with culturally diverse samples are particularly lacking. In a multi-country sample, we examined: (a) gender differences in perceived social support and both posttraumatic stress symptom severity (PTSS) and complex posttraumatic stress symptom severity (CPTSS); (b) associations between social support and PTSS/CPTSS; and (c) the potential moderating role of gender in the relationship between perceived social support and trauma-related distress. A total of 2483 adults ( = 30yrs, 69.9% females) from 39 countries, who had been exposed to mixed trauma types, completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the International Trauma Questionnaire (which captures PTSS/CPTSS). Regression analyses examined associations between gender, perceived social support, and PTSS/CPTSS; and tested for gender by social support interactions in predicting PTSS/CPTSS scores. Models were adjusted for age and socioeconomic status. In our cross-country sample, females had greater PTSS/CPTSS than males (  = .23 [95% CI 0.16, 0.30],  < .001;  = .20 [0.12, 0.27],  < .001; respectively), but there was no evidence of gender differences in perceived social support (  = .05 [-0.05, 0.16],  = .33). For both genders, low perceived social support was associated with higher PTSS/CPTSS (females:  = -.16 [-0.20, -0.12],  < .001;  = -.27 [-0.30, -0.24],  < .001; respectively; males:  = -.22 [-0.29, -0.15],  < .001;  = -.31 [-0.36, -0.26],  < .001; respectively), and for PTSS only we found weak evidence that this association was stronger for males vs. females (  = .07 [0.04, 0.14,  = .04). Individuals who feel more socially supported have lower trauma-related distress, and this association is similar in males and females. PTSD/CPTSD interventions may benefit from augmenting perceived social support, regardless of gender.

Following the 1st Conference of the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress, the consortium committed to systematically integrating sex and gender considerations in their endeavours, which aligns with the 's Gender Policy. This initiative is vital for understanding trauma's complex impacts, but also presents significant challenges in cross-cultural research. This letter, co-authored by researchers from across the globe, outlines these challenges and proposes mitigation strategies. First, definitions of sex and gender are provided from a Western perspective, while acknowledging cultural differences in these concepts. Second, the relevance of integrating sex and gender considerations in traumatic stress studies is briefly described. Third, cultural distinctions and legal contexts shaping the understanding and inclusion of these concepts, with non-Western and low-to-middle income regions facing significant legal and ethical obstacles are highlighted. Methodological challenges including measurement, recruitment, and statistical modelling are discussed, followed by recommendations including participatory approaches that involve members of the community, including sexual and gender minority individuals, as possible, throughout the research process, conducting risk analyses, employing sensitive quantitative and qualitative methods, and ensuring clear reporting and participant protection. To conclude, with this letter, we hope to instigate dialogue and foster innovative approaches to incorporating sex and gender considerations in cross-cultural studies of traumatic stress. Addressing these considerations is essential for ethical, meaningful research that respects and safeguards diverse experiences.