BackgroundPediatric irritability is a pervasive psychiatric symptom, yet its etiology remains elusive. While trauma exposure may contribute to the development of irritability, empirical research is limited. This study examined the prevalence of irritability among trauma‐exposed children, identified factors that differentiate trauma‐exposed children with and without irritability, and employed a network analysis to uncover associations between irritability and trauma exposure in the family unit.MethodsSample included 676 children (56.3% male, mean age = 9.67 ± 3.7 years) and their parents referred by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families to Fathers for Change – a psychotherapy intervention designed to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment. Child's trauma exposure, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and irritability were assessed pre‐intervention using self‐ and caregiver‐report. Parents self‐reported their childhood and adulthood trauma exposures, PTSD symptoms, irritability, psychopathology, and IPV.ResultsAcross caregiver‐ and child‐reports, 16%–17% of children exhibited irritability. Irritable children experienced greater trauma exposure, interpersonal violence, emotional abuse, and PTSD severity. They had caregivers, particularly mothers, with greater trauma histories, IPV, and psychopathology. Network analysis revealed 10 nodes directly correlated to child's irritability including child's PTSD severity, parental IPV (specifically psychological violence), and parental psychopathology.ConclusionsResults provide initial empirical evidence that pediatric irritability is linked to trauma exposure, suggesting trauma histories be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of irritability. Interventions addressing caregiver trauma, IPV, and psychopathology may ameliorate pediatric irritability. Future studies could benefit from adopting network approaches with longitudinal or time series data to elucidate causality and points of intervention.

中文翻译：

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家庭单位内创伤暴露与烦躁之间的关联：网络方法

背景小儿烦躁是一种普遍的精神症状，但其病因仍然难以捉摸。虽然创伤暴露可能会导致烦躁的发生，但实证研究是有限的。本研究检查了遭受创伤的儿童中烦躁的患病率，确定了区分遭受创伤的儿童是否烦躁的因素，并采用网络分析来揭示家庭单位中烦躁与创伤暴露之间的关联。方法样本包括 676 名儿童（56.3 ％ 男性，意思是年龄 = 9.67 ± 3.7 岁）及其父母被康涅狄格州儿童和家庭部转介给父亲寻求变革——这是一项旨在减少亲密伴侣暴力 (IPV) 和儿童虐待的心理治疗干预措施。在干预前使用自我报告和护理人员报告评估儿童的创伤暴露、创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）症状和易怒性。父母自我报告他们的童年和成年期创伤经历、PTSD 症状、烦躁、精神病理学和 IPV。结果在看护者和儿童的报告中，16%–17% 的儿童表现出烦躁。易怒的儿童会经历更大的创伤暴露、人际暴力、情感虐待和创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）严重程度。他们的照顾者，尤其是母亲，有更多的创伤史、IPV 和精神病理学。网络分析显示，有 10 个节点与儿童的烦躁直接相关，包括儿童的 PTSD 严重程度、父母的 IPV（特别是心理暴力）和父母的精神病理学。结论结果提供了初步的经验证据，表明儿科的烦躁与创伤暴露有关，建议在诊断和治疗时考虑创伤史。治疗烦躁。针对看护者创伤、IPV 和精神病理学的干预措施可能会改善儿童的烦躁情绪。未来的研究可以受益于采用具有纵向或时间序列数据的网络方法来阐明因果关系和干预点。