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We examined TikTok user engagement when parents post videos engaging in psychological maltreatment (PM) behaviors towards their children, using the APSAC-endorsed definition of PM. A new TikTok account was created and seeded with PM behavior videos identified previously; similar videos then appeared on the new account's "For You Page" (an algorithmic feed curated by TikTok). Researchers identified 35 creators who had posted at least one PM behavior video, resulting in their full profile being coded (N = 2684 videos) for five engagement metrics, presence of children, and presence of PM behavior. Non-parametric paired comparisons (Mann-Whitney tests) were made within individual creators for: (1) engagement metrics before and after the first PM behavior video, (2) engagement metrics for PM behavior videos versus non-PM videos, (3) engagement metrics for child videos versus non-child videos, and (4) proportion of videos containing children before and after the first PM video. All but one analysis was significant (effect sizes from.28 to.59, average r =.46). We discuss directions for future research, as well as how child welfare and content moderation policy can be updated to change social norms around sharenting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth suicidal ideation is a prevalent experience, particularly among youth exposed to maltreatment, with a variety of indicators such as youth statements of ideation. To better understand suicidal ideation, and the associations with youth mental health outcomes, a fruitful path may be through the study of the dimensions (e.g., severity, frequency) of maltreatment exposure. While there exists extensive work on methods to best operationalize casefile records of maltreatment, such work has not been undertaken for youth self-reports, which are an important indicator of youth functioning following exposure. To address the lack of clarity of how to best operationalize youth self-reports of maltreatment, a multiverse analytic approach was taken to operationalize severity and frequency in a sample of 471 8- to 17-year-old children in foster care. We examined differences across measurement models and the models' associations with caregiver reports of youth suicidal ideation statements. Results indicate that the operationalizations used to define maltreatment resulted in differing measurement models that further differed in their associations with reports of youth suicidal ideation. This study highlights the importance of how researchers operationalize their data and the role dimensions of maltreatment have in further elucidating differential outcomes for youth exposed to maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earlier reviews to discover research on interventions for children after neglect have concluded little was available, despite the well-documented prevalence and harmful effects of neglect on children. We revisited this question through a systematic literature review to discover the state of research on interventions for children who have experienced neglect. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ERIC, Sociological Abstracts and EMBASE for studies published between 2003 and 2021. Studies were included if neglect could be distinguished, and child outcomes reported. Eight reports describing six studies about six interventions were identified. These studies differed in interventions, age-groups, definitions of neglect, and outcomes. Four studies reported positive child outcomes though with varying degree of quality. More research is needed to inform a coherent theory of change following neglect. There remains an urgent need for research on interventions to help children recover from neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to understand institutional violence (IV) in the relationships between health professionals, hospitalized children, and family members. This is a qualitative study developed at the pediatric inpatient unit of a university hospital in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The research participants consisted of 39 health professionals who specialized in pediatrics and 10 family members of hospitalized children. Semi‐structured interviews were the method used for data collection. Using discourse analysis as a basis and taking a Foucauldian perspective, the researchers observed that the expressions of IV could be traced to abusive power relations within the system. We found four discursive forms within the data set: communication problems as IV, violence through inattention and neglect, violence as an action and consequent materialization on the body, and psychological violence as a submission mechanism. Based on these findings, we argue that professionals, managers, the scientific community, and users might be able to better guarantee the safety of children by recognizing IV and effectively intervening in it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A literature review of recent prevalence and prospective studies on interpersonal violence (IPV) identifies a link among child abuse, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse that had not emerged from life-stage-specific studies on abuse, neglect, and violence against older persons. In line with a developmental understanding of IPV from a life course perspective, early life trauma is emerging as an explanatory theory of IPV across the life course. This paradigm shift in the field of elder abuse challenges more traditional explanations of IPV in old age, such as ageism, but opens up new opportunities for interventions leading to prevention and treatment of abuse, neglect, and violence against older adults. Prevalence studies that include older subjects and questions about violence experienced as children and younger adults consistently identify child abuse as a risk factor for IPV experienced in old age. Similarly, prospective studies on IPV that follow subjects from childhood to old age identify lifetime patterns of abuse. Qualitative studies of IPV in old age that include retrospective data suggest a link as well. IPV perpetrated against children and adults of all ages by persons in positions of trust can lead to trauma that has adverse lifelong behavioral and relational implications. This provides a link between trauma theory and violence against older people. Until recently, abuse, neglect, and violence were conceptualized differently based on the life stage of the victim. While historically the definitions for partner and non-partner violence diverged based on the life stage of victims, more recently this has begun to converge. Understanding violence from a life course and trauma-informed perspective better identifies risk factors and interventions for IPV against older adults. Intersectionality of age and gender variables demonstrate differences and similarities among populations studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence against youth is a global issue impacting millions each year. Increasingly, research has focused on studying those impacted by multiple forms of violence, or polyvictims. Evidence strongly suggests that polyvictimized youth tend to have worse physical and mental health outcomes than those who have experienced single forms of violence. Moreover, minoritized youth (i.e., racial and/or sexual minority youth, youth with disabilities) are more likely to experience polyvictimization, making this a social justice and equity concern. To date, there is no universal consensus on what exactly constitutes polyvictimization. This systematic review aims to examine the ways in which polyvictimization is being studied to inform both research and practice. As such, relevant databases were searched to amass the extant literature related to youth polyvictimization internationally. Empirical studies published since 2006 that focused on youth (under age 18) polyvictimization were included. After the review process, 264 studies met eligibility criteria, however 55 studies employed person-centered/finite mixture analyses and were removed for a separate review, resulting in 209 featured in the current systematic review. Results demonstrate that researchers are defining and operationalizing polyvictimization in different ways: (a) using individual victimization event counts; (b) employing domain-based counts; and (c) taking a "highest-victimized" percentage of their sample. The most used measurement tool was the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire, though other validated tools and researcher-constructed questions were frequently utilized. Research on polyvictimization is burgeoning worldwide; however, this research is being conducted in disparate ways, making it difficult to compare findings and further advance the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child abuse, neglect, and maltreatment (CANM) represents a significant public health threat. The study's goal was to identify factors contributing to CANM and its high recurrence. We utilized 2019–2020 National Child Abuse data to test a structural equation model of Child/Caregiver Disability variables; Home Instability variables; and CANM recurrence. We hypothesized a six-factor model with Home Instability as a mediator. Of 1,221,176 victims, 29.9% had a prior victimization. A four-factor, mediational structural equation model showed strong fit (GFI = 0.946, NFI = 0.919) and was superior to alternative models. The study provides a framework for community leaders to reduce CANM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: What is known on the subject?: This paper acknowledges the profound and lasting impact of childhood abuse on substance use and homelessness. What this paper adds to existing knowledge?: It underscores the inherent value and humanity of every individual, regardless of their struggles.That a comprehensive approach to mental health care, encompassing medication, therapy and a secure environment, is imperative. What are the implications for mental health nursing?: Early intervention and recognising individuals who suffer in silence are paramount. Mental health nurses must have the courage to ask uncomfortable questions and truly hear the unspoken words.Mental health nurses should never underestimate the power of simply being present with someone during their darkest moments. This simple act can wield significant influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to verify the relationship between parental abuse, ego-resilience, social stigma, career barriers, and depressive symptoms among out-of-school youths. The data of 522 adolescents (mean age = 18.01 years) from the Dropout Youth Panel Survey conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute were used. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that female adolescents reported more depressive symptoms than male adolescents. The family economic status and ego-resilience were negatively related to depressive symptoms. Parental abuse was positively associated with depressive symptoms. In particular, social stigma and career barriers were positively related to depressive symptoms. Notably, social stigma and career barriers explained 17.7% of the variance in depressive symptoms. The results of this study suggest that society needs to reduce the social stigma and career barriers perceived by out-of-school youth. Professional counselors and social workers could help these individuals by providing them information and advice for their careers and reducing perceived social stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children, women, and older people suffer different types of violence, which appears to have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relative lockdown. The aim of this study is to analyze the literature about gender violence and abuse in the different ages of life and during the COVID-19 lockdown. Data were obtained from an electronic literature search using various online sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Web of Science. The terms "child abuse" were the most frequently used, followed in frequency by "gender violence," "femicide," and, lastly, "elderly abuse." The first studies considered gender-based violence as a purely physical problem, then, progressively, the analysis focused on the psychological point of view of the issue. There was a greater number of studies in 2020 about violence in comparison with previous years. The social and scientific attention to gender-based violence appeared to be very poor, especially in the case of older people abuse. It is necessary to increase general attention to the topic to correctly identify each form of abuse and to be able to take care of the subjects most at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive function is important to the success of an individual. Children who have a history of being abused mentally and physically before entering a residential care home may have executive function deficits. They often face fear, stress, and a lack of interpersonal interaction, which affects their executive function. This quasi-experimental study aimed to increase children's executive function through the I AM TAP Program. This program integrates sensory and physical activities, including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Two residential care homes of young children aged 3-5 years in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Then, 36 children from each setting and 11 caregivers were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The experimental group received I AM TAP Program training twice weekly for 9 weeks, 20-30 minutes each session. The control group attended the routine activities provided in a residential care home. Executive function was assessed with the Mahidol University Executive Function-101 instrument. The data were analyzed using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and covariance analysis. The results of this study, a testament to the effectiveness of the I AM TAP Program, revealed a significant increase in the mean scores of executive functions on 3 subscales in the experimental group. These scores not only improved from the pre-program levels but also surpassed those of the control group, as measured one week after program completion. This promising outcome suggests that the I AM TAP Program has the potential to enhance executive function in young children. Nurses can potentially apply this program to promote executive function, and caregivers can be equipped with information on how to support the children in the residential care home. However, it is crucial to conduct further testing with various groups of children in different settings before considering widespread implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machiavellianism is characterized by manipulative behavior, lack of empathy, and a willingness to deceive and exploit others for personal gain. Research indicates that one factor that may increase the likelihood and severity of Machiavellianism in adulthood is maltreatment in childhood. However, few studies have attempted to untangle which specific instantiations of childhood maltreatment (e.g. abuse vs. neglect) are most associated with Machiavellianism. In our study, we investigate the association between childhood abuse and neglect on Machiavellianism in a sample of adult women and men recruited online (N = 278) using a Bayesian approach to multiple regression. Results suggest that higher levels of Machiavellianism are associated with physical neglect, with some influence of other forms of maltreatment depending on gender. These findings shed light on potential etiological influences on Machiavellianism and have implications for research on and clinical intervention with people with high levels of this trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background During the last decades, an abundance of studies has investigated childhood adversity in relation to psychosis. This systematic review critically examines the methodologies employed to investigate childhood adversity in psychosis over the past decade, including operational definitions, measurement tools and characteristics, and psychometric properties of instruments used in these studies. Study Design This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines (registration number CRD42022307096), and the search used the following electronic databases: PsychINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science, African Index Medicus (AIM), LILACS, CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE. The search included variations and combinations of the terms targeting childhood adversity and psychosis. Study Results Out of 585 identified studies published between 2010 and 2023, 341 employed a validated instrument to investigate childhood adversity. Our findings show "childhood trauma" being the most frequently examined construct, followed by "child maltreatment" or "child abuse." The short version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was the dominant instrument. Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse were most frequently investigated, and indeed the field appears generally to focus on child abuse and neglect over other adversities. Significant psychometric heterogeneity was observed in the selection and summarization of instrument items, with only 59% of studies documenting original psychometric validation and 22% reporting reliability in their datasets. Conclusion This review highlights substantial methodological heterogeneity in the field, pointing out biases in the research on childhood adversity and psychosis. These findings underline the need for standardized definitions and high-quality measurement tools to enhance the validity of future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current commentary provides an introduction to the special issue examining COVID-19-related professional challenges, innovations, and implications for child maltreatment victims. The editors of the special issue provide a summary of the research presented as well as the implications for the field of child maltreatment research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent issue of Child Maltreatment (2023 vol. 28 (4)), an editorial by Palusci et al. and a commentary by Briggs et al. were published. These two publications express the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Board's and the Child Maltreatment editorial team's stance relative to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ). The current commentary expresses a range of concerns regarding how APSAC and Child Maltreatment plan to advance DEIJ through their editorial policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children were at a greater risk of adverse experiences, including maltreatment, during the COVID-19 pandemic given the increased stress experienced by families and reduced visibility outside the home. Child maltreatment investigators witnessed the effects of the pandemic on maltreated children and offer valuable insight regarding children's experiences during the pandemic. The objective of this study was to examine child maltreatment investigators' perspectives of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maltreated children and their families in Canada. Sixteen child maltreatment investigators were recruited from agencies across Canada that investigate or offer services to children suspected of having been maltreated. Three focus groups were conducted, which followed a semi-structured interview guide developed by the researchers. Thematic analysis resulted in five primary themes regarding maltreatment investigators' perceptions of the pandemic's effects on children, including child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased exposure to violent and traumatic events, stress and challenges faced by families, reduced access to services, and challenges and delays with maltreatment investigations. Child maltreatment investigators perceived that the pandemic profoundly impacted maltreated children and their families. It is critical to ensure children and parents have access to services during future emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It was reported that maternal-infant bonding failure predicts abusive parenting. Maternal-infant bonding is important to prevent child abuse. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, cortisol, and oxytocin levels, and postnatal maternal–infant bonding. Methods: The participants completed a self-report prenatal questionnaire that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in the second trimester. Blood and saliva were collected in the second trimester. Cortisol levels were measured in plasma, while oxytocin levels were measured in saliva. Postnatal questionnaires, including the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS), were administered at 2–5 days, 1 month, and 3 months postpartum. Multiple linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were conducted for analysis. Results: Sixty-six primiparas participated in the study. Prenatal depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 9) and anxiety (STAI-S ≥ 42) were observed in 21.2% and 28.8% of the participants, respectively. The median cortisol and oxytocin levels were 21.0 µg/dL and 30.4 pg/mL, respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that postnatal social support, prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and salivary oxytocin levels predicted MIBS scores at 2–5 days postpartum. At 1 month postpartum, household income, history of miscarriage, postnatal social support, and prenatal anxiety predicted MIBS scores. At 3 months postpartum, only postnatal social support predicted MIBS scores. The results of GEE showed that prenatal anxiety, oxytocin levels, postpartum period, household income, and postpartum social support were associated with MIBS scores. Conclusion: Prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and lower salivary oxytocin levels were predicted to worsen maternal–infant bonding at 2–5 days postpartum. Prenatal anxiety was predicted to cause the same 1 month postpartum. Measuring prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and salivary oxytocin levels may render the assessment of the risk of maternal–infant bonding failure during the early postpartum period and intervene during pregnancy possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When children are killed or seriously harmed from abuse or neglect, there is pressure to 'learn the lessons' to prevent similar events. England has a long-established system of locally-based multi-agency reviews for this, but the recurrence of tragedies and repetitive findings raise questions about its effectiveness. Reflecting and building on our research into reviews completed between 2017 and 2021, we analyse the complexity that routine criticisms of inter-agency working disguise, and argue that reviews are shaped by their multiple, competing functions. The stated purpose is to improve practice. Within this are other overt but ambiguous goals: establishing what happened, accountability, reassurance and commemoration. Then there are covert functions: to dissipate public outrage, deflect attention from underlying causes, and distort understandings of the work by making it seem straightforward. Reviews would benefit from paying more attention to the dynamics of frontline practice and the local actions to implement the lessons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic experiences can impact individuals' oral health and how they experience dental treatment in ways patients and their dental providers may or may not initially anticipate. As approximately half of children and two-thirds of adults in the United States have experienced some type of traumatic event, it is critically important for providers to be aware of patients' trauma histories and to appropriately provide trauma-informed care to their patients when needed. Individuals with a trauma history may experience significant anxiety and distress in the dental setting, even for treatment many providers and patients consider to be "simple," such as a brief intraoral examination, radiographs, or prophylaxis. Such aspects of the dental setting may trigger memories and emotions related to the original trauma and may re-traumatize patients. This short report introduces links between traumatic history, poor oral health, and dental care-related fear and anxiety. Additionally, this paper briefly describes how dental hygienists can provide compassionate trauma-informed care to their patients with the goal of providing whole-person care that considers patients' comfort, health goals, and prior experiences. Specific recommendations for providing trauma-informed care to children and adults within the scope of dental hygiene practice are provided, as is suggested wording for acknowledging a patient's prior trauma and tailoring dental care to accommodate patient experiences and concerns. As dental hygienists are often the oral health providers spending the most time with patients, they are uniquely positioned to provide compassionate effective trauma-informed care to patients with past traumatic experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian Americans have been identified as a racial group that is disproportionately affected by childhood trauma. The goal of this study was to assess if religion/spirituality moderate the effects of childhood trauma on adult depressive symptoms among a sample of South Asians in the USA. Our analysis drew from the study on stress, spirituality, and health (SSSH) questionnaire fielded in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study (n = 990) during 2016–2018. A series of regression models with multiplicative interaction terms were conducted. Emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and physical neglect were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Higher religious attendance and negative religious coping techniques were found to exacerbate this relationship. There were two findings conditional on gender. Among men, gratitude and positive religious coping also exacerbated the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms. Negative religious coping also exacerbated the association between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms for women. This is the first community-based study of US South Asians to consider the association between various forms of childhood trauma and depressive symptom outcomes. South Asians remain an understudied group in the religion and health literature, and this study sheds light on the important differences in the function and effectiveness of religion/spirituality for those faced with early life trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the moderating role of gender in the relationship between childhood abuse and mental disorders in the population of a country that has been little studied. This research was designed by the correlational model, one of the quantitative research designs. 272 university students attending a state university in Turkey participated in the research. For sample selection, the convenience sampling method was used. As a result of analyses within the scope of the present study, it was concluded that gender had a moderating effect on the relationship between sexual abuse and somatisation, emotional abuse and negative self and physical neglect and hostility. This finding may help clinicians and researchers in providing optimal health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the well-documented link between child maltreatment (CM) and mental health, evidence suggests substantial variability in the post-traumatic sequelae of CM across cultures. The perceived acceptability of CM in one's community might moderate the association between CM and mental health, but little research has been conducted on it so far. This study examined how the perceived acceptability of CM may influence the relationship between CM experiences and post-traumatic symptoms in individuals from four different continents and if the pattern of associations is the same across countries. We recruited a sample of 478 adults from Cameroon (n = 111), Canada (n = 137), Japan (n = 108), and Germany (n = 122). We administered online questionnaires and performed multiple group moderation analyses for total CM, neglect, physical abuse, emotional maltreatment, sexual abuse, and exposure to domestic violence (DV). A significant positive main effect of CM on post-traumatic symptoms was found in the overall sample and in Cameroon; in Germany, only neglect and emotional maltreatment were positively associated to post-traumatic symptoms. Moderation effects were identified; the perceived acceptability of neglect in Cameroon and Germany and of exposure to DV in Cameroon had a dampening effect on the relationship between CM experiences and post-traumatic symptoms. Our findings confirm that CM experiences entail long-term post-traumatic sequelae that can vary across cultures and CM subtypes and further our understanding of this issue by showing that the perceived acceptability of CM may be an understudied moderator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Collaboration between clinical practice and research is often warranted. Extended periods of collaboration integrating research and practice is however rare. This article is about a series of joint research projects through the course of 8 years involving the Danish Center of Psychotraumatology and five regional centres dedicated to combating the sequelae of child abuse across Denmark. Method: We describe the development of a standardized assessment battery and how this work evolves, analyses of administrative data, what happens after the assessment, the impact of working with child abuse on employees, profiles of abuse that vary by gender, national conferences and training programs, and international collaboration. Result: The collaboration between research and practice against child abuse has been seminal and is still ongoing. We have learnt about new problem areas and have produced information that can be used to serve children, employees, and civil society in better ways. Discussion: This work is inspired by and aligns with initiatives abroad pertaining the construction of Children Centers, of assessments tools and child abuse trauma research. Conclusion: Mutual respect, dedication, and patient persistence pave the way for significant results in a committed relationship. Plain language summary: This article describes and reflect upon a year-long collaboration between a multidisciplinary clinical organization, the Danish Children Centers, and a research centre, the Danish Center of Psychotraumatology who have joined forces to provide the best help for children exposed to physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. The article describes the collaboration on developing a trauma-focused, developmentally sensitive psychological assessment battery for children of all ages. The article thereafter describes and reflects upon other projects of the collaboration that benefit both research and practice, including the establishment of data base for studying the psychological state of children exposed to abuse and related studies on child abuse; evaluations of the Children Centers practices; examinations of care and treatment for abused and traumatized children, training of staff and other interested parties; and examination and prevention of secondary traumatization among the Children Centers staff. With mutual respect for all professions, dedication, and patient persistence a professional collaboration can evolve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Child Depression Inventory (CDI) is often used to assess change in depression over time, but no studies estimate the reliability of CDI change scores nor its five subscores. Our study investigated the reliability of change scores for both the total score on the CDI as well as its five subscores. We examined CDI responses from 186 maltreated children and estimated change score reliability for relative (e.g., comparison) and absolute (e.g., diagnosis) purposes. We also conducted subscore utility analysis, which determines if subscores have adequate reliability and provide information beyond the total score. We found that the total change score had acceptable reliability of.70 for our sample for both relative and absolute interpretations. In addition, the total score was a better predictor of true subscore values than the observed subscores—suggesting subscores did not add value over the total score, and that the reliability of changes in subscores was too low to be useful for any purpose. In summary, we found that the total CDI change scores were useful for assessing change in studies that examine relative or absolute change, and we advise caution when interpreting CDI subscores based on our analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research has been conducted on the link between trauma, child maltreatment (CM), and chronic pain. Although the risk of suffering from chronic pain among CM survivors has been established, much less is known about the experience of pain during CM incidents or whether such peritraumatic pain sensations are associated with later chronic pain. This scoping review was conducted to synthesize the existing literature on pain during and a short time following CM (i.e., peritraumatic pain). Utilizing the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, the current review included 11 manuscripts, which met the following criteria: (a) refer to physical pain experienced during or a short time after CM, (b) were published in peer-reviewed journals, and (c) were written in English. The review demonstrated that most of the included studies were not intentionally focused on peritraumatic pain, the majority used qualitative research methods, and all were cross-sectional. Furthermore, although validated questionnaires are available, most of the studies did not utilize such measures. Those that intentionally reported pain demonstrated its high intensity and prevalence in CM incidents, indicating that pain is inherently embedded in the experience of maltreatment. The findings spotlight an underdeveloped research realm on a phenomenon that may hold significant empirical, clinical, and legal implications. Research endeavors should initiate interdisciplinary bodies of knowledge to establish well-validated research methodologies that properly quantify peritraumatic pain in trauma and CM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal cohort study aims to investigate the relationship between self-reported childhood maltreatment (CM) and the retrospective trajectory of substance use, mental health, and satisfaction with life in individuals with substance use disorders. One hundred eleven treatment-seeking individuals with substance use disorder were recruited from clinical settings and monitored prospectively for 6 years. The participants' substance use, mental health, and satisfaction with life were assessed using standardized measures. Cluster analysis divided the cohort into two groups—low CM and high CM—based on their scores on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form at year 6. Mixed-effects linear models were fitted to assess the association between longitudinal scores on drug use, mental health, and satisfaction with life and CM group. Most participants (92%) reported at least 1 CM. Out of all participants, 36% were categorized into the high-CM group, while 59% were categorized into the low-CM group. CM group was not associated with the amount of substance or alcohol use. CM group was significantly associated with the longitudinal course of mental health and life satisfaction. This study underscores the association between self-reported CM and mental health and life satisfaction in patients with substance use disorder. Our results may imply an increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with high levels of CM, while bearing in mind that both current and retrospective mental health and substance use problems can influence the accuracy of recalling CM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human trafficking is a severe form of child abuse and maltreatment. Cases are pervasive and no demographic, socioeconomic status, community, or school is immune. The most effective response to human trafficking in school settings requires increased awareness and establishing policies, protocols, and procedures that support collaborative response to suspected human trafficking. School nurses are well equipped to lead these efforts. While the National Association of School Nurses acknowledges the importance of the role of the school nurse in child trafficking response in their Human Trafficking Position Statement, resources to aid school nurses in coordinated recognition and response efforts remain limited. This article reviews clinical guidance on human trafficking through a school-based lens, highlights indicators that should alert school nurses to the risk of trafficking, outlines best practices for response to abuse and exploitation, and provides additional tools and resources available to aid school nurses in their approach to caring for children experiencing trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiritual well-being is a phenomenon that enhances the quality of life and acts as a protective factor against stress and negative emotions. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether childhood psychological maltreatment is related to spiritual well-being and whether intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation serially mediate this relationship. The study sample comprised 330 participants aged between 18 and 55 years from 46 out of the 81 cities in Türkiye. The study participants completed the Psychological Maltreatment Questionnaire, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Emotion Regulation Scale, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale, a scale derived from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being that measures spiritual well-being by using the conceptualization of meaning and peace. The data obtained were analyzed using a two-step structural equation modeling approach, which indicated that childhood psychological maltreatment has an association with spiritual well-being, and this relationship is mediated by both intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature on spiritual well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous findings suggest that childhood maltreatment leads to the development of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) which, in turn, can predispose individuals to future psychopathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating roles of the quality of the early parent-child relationship and dispositional forgiveness, as potential protective factors, in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and maladaptive schemas. A total of 173 participants completed measures of the problematic relationship with their father and their mother, forgiveness, childhood maltreatment, and maladaptive schemas. Results revealed that participants with multi-type maltreatment had significantly higher maladaptive schema scores than those with a single type. In addition, the problematic relationship with the father mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and maladaptive schemas. Finally, self-forgiveness emerged as a significant predictor of lower early maladaptive schemas over and above all the other key variables. These results suggest that early interventions can benefit from including strategies focusing on promoting healthy parent-child relationships, as well as forgiveness of the self in children to cultivate their well-being. Furthermore, interventions in adulthood can target perceptions of parent-child relationships and self-forgiveness in the present moment. Highlights: Self-forgiveness predicted lower early maladaptive schemas over and above childhood maltreatment, problematic relationships with parents, and forgiveness of others. Father-child problematic relationship mediated the link between childhood maltreatment and maladaptive schemas. Individuals with multi-type maltreatment had significantly higher maladaptive schema scores than those with a single type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiencing childhood maltreatment by mothers could have both short-term and long-term negative consequences for them and their children. The current study attempted to evaluate the mediating role of parenting stress and meta-parenting in the association between maternal childhood maltreatment and the quality of child-mother relationships. A total of 468 Iranian mothers of preschool children (five to six years old) were selected using a purposeful sampling method and were assessed in a cross-sectional study. A broad set of psychometric instruments such as childhood maltreatment, stress parenting, meta-parenting, and child-parent relationships were used. The mediating role of parenting stress was supported by the association between maternal childhood maltreatment and child-mother conflict (positively and significantly) and child-mother closeness (negatively and significantly). Furthermore, the mediating role of meta-parenting was supported for the association between maternal childhood maltreatment and child-mother closeness (positively and significantly) and child-mother dependency (negatively and significantly). It was concluded that the existence of maternal child maltreatment affects the quality of child-mother relationships through parenting stress and meta-parenting (both directly and indirectly). Consequently, it is recommended to focus on the mother's childhood and the need to hold psychological sessions for them before her delivery to reduce the negative consequences of her childhood maltreatment. The findings highlighted the importance of meta-parenting and parenting stress in the relationships between mothers who have experienced childhood maltreatment and their children. Highlights: Maternal childhood maltreatment only through meta-parenting associated with child-mother dependency. Parenting stress was a mediating variable for the negative association between maternal childhood maltreatment and child-mother closeness. Parenting stress was a mediating variable for the positive association between maternal childhood maltreatment and child-mother conflict. In the present model, the child-mother conflict could be explained by more than two styles of child-mother relationship quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite evidence that parents' physical aggression abuse has long-lasting negative consequences, information about the true population prevalence of aggression and physical abuse is limited. We have even less information about how parental aggression and abuse vary by child age, parent gender, and how that aggression and abuse might be clustered within families. To address these gaps, an anonymous, computer-based assessment was administered to nearly 40,000 parents of more than 60,000 children in the United States Air Force, which included a detailed assessment on up to four minor children of aggression and its impact. The survey was the largest of its type ever conducted in the United States, allowing for stable, crossvalidated estimation of rates of both corporal punishment and physical abuse. Approximately 39% of children experienced corporal punishment, peaking at three years of age, and 7% experienced physical abuse, peaking at age six. About 45% of parents reported perpetrating corporal punishment and 8% abuse; these rates were higher in multi-child families and most often involved more than one child. Parent gender was not associated with physical aggression or abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is evidence that child maltreatment is positively associated with loneliness, the strength of this association is not yet clear. It is also unclear whether the magnitude and statistical significance of this association varies across groups of individuals. Therefore, this meta-analysis examines whether there are differences in loneliness between individuals with and without maltreatment histories, and which factors may influence the association between child maltreatment and loneliness. A three-level meta-analysis was conducted on 52 studies reporting 116 effect sizes (N = 1,705,493; M age = 30.93; 49.6% females). Results showed a medium overall effect (g = 0.45, p <.001, 95% CI [0.36, 0.53]), indicating that individuals with maltreatment histories, on average, feel lonelier than individuals without maltreatment histories. Moderator analyses showed that effect sizes were larger for emotional abuse and emotional neglect as compared to other types of child maltreatment and decreased when participants were older at the time of loneliness assessment. These findings suggest that individuals with maltreatment histories, especially those who have been emotionally abused and/or emotionally neglected, are vulnerable to experiencing loneliness across the lifespan. The results also suggest that feelings of loneliness warrant attention in prevention and intervention programs for individuals with maltreatment histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although it is often stated that children with special needs are at risk of being abused and neglected, research conducted on the abuse of children with specific learning disorders (SLDs) is limited. Methods: This case–control study aims to compare exposure to neglect and abuse among children diagnosed with SLDs (case group) and children with typical development (control group). The study included children aged 6 to 12 years who were referred to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic and Pediatric Clinic of a hospital in Türkiye. The data collection process included 196 participants and lasted for 7 months in 2020. Results: Based on the analysis of the data collected with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children‐Present and Lifetime Turkish Version (K‐SADS‐PL‐T) and the Abuse Assessment Questionnaire, we determined that children with SLDs were physically and emotionally abused more than the children of the control group. In addition, they witnessed violence between their parents more than the control group. Physical abuse, emotional abuse and witnessing family violence were identified as significant predictors for SLD. Conclusions: The presence of SLDs is a significant risk factor for children to be exposed to abuse even in the absence of ADHD as a comorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined adults' interpretations of invitations using the word 'time'. Recent research has demonstrated that children may misunderstand these invitations as solely requesting temporal information (Friend et al., 2022). This study tested whether adults perceive the ambiguity in these invitations and whether they understand the source of children's pseudotemporal errors. We examined 401 adult participants' perceptions of invitations using the word 'time', varying the phrasing of the invitation (about the time vs. what happened) and whether the participant had exposure to a child's pseudotemporal response. Adults largely interpreted the invitations as requests for what happened during an event, not requests for when an event occurred. They rated the invitations as clear, not difficult and appropriate for elementary‐aged children. However, they were more likely to rate about the time invitations as temporal compared to what happened invitations. Additionally, their perceptions of clarity and age appropriateness decreased when they were exposed to children's overtly pseudotemporal responses. These results suggest that although adults typically fail to identify the ambiguity in invitations using the word 'time', they are able to adjust their interpretation of the questions, at least when they are provided clear evidence of children's misinterpretation. Key Practitioner Messages: Recent research has demonstrated that invitations with the word 'time' can be confusing for witnesses, as these invitations can be misunderstood as requests for time.Using the phrasing 'about the time' in these invitations increases the rate of temporal misunderstanding. Therefore, when using invitations with the word 'time', interviewers should always phrase their question with 'what happened' language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among Home Care Aides (HCAs) and explored the relationship between ACEs and mental health. A 2017 survey of 424 HCAs assessed childhood trauma using the CDC-BRFSS ACE module. Approximately 27% of HCAs had a high ACE score (between 4 and 10). There were no associations found between ACE score and respondent demographic characteristics. HCAs with high ACE scores reported lower rates of social and emotional support and higher rates of past-month hopelessness compared with those with no or limited experience of adverse childhood events. This research suggests that HCAs have higher than average rates of ACEs, known to be linked to various negative physical and mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the crucial aspect of child protection, particularly within hospital settings, aiming to raise awareness and promote sensitivity toward child welfare issues. It provides insights into various forms of child endangerment and trauma, emphasizing the need for early detection, intervention, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Elucidating the influence of microsystem and exosystem factors on development is an important goal of developmental psychopathology. This study examined the effects of maltreatment and neighborhood risk on child-caregiver attachment. Maltreatment records, neighborhood risk indices, and Strange Situation data were collected from a diverse sample of 170 four-year-old children and their caregivers. Relative contributions of maltreatment, neighborhood risk, and their interaction on attachment insecurity and disorganization were explored via latent moderation. Maltreated children demonstrated higher rates of insecure attachment, but not attachment disorganization, independent of neighborhood risk. Controlling for maltreatment, preliminary results suggested no effects of neighborhood risk on attachment. Findings support prior research that has identified maltreatment as a salient risk to the formation of secure attachment relationships. However, results add heterogeneity to the limited research investigating effects of neighborhood on attachment. Overall, this study highlights the importance of examining multilevel ecological risk in relation to attachment relationship development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past decade, research on the association between childhood maltreatment (CM) and gratitude has been accumulating, but there is a lack of systematic, quantitative evaluation of existing literature. The present systematic review aims to fill this gap by conducting a three-level meta-analysis. After a comprehensive search in five English and three Chinese databases, we retrieved 33 effect sizes from 16 studies with a total sample of 13,818 participants. The results showed that CM (aggregated across forms) was negatively and moderately linked to gratitude (r = −.311, 95% CI [−0.382, −0.235], p <.001). Childhood neglect (i.e., physical and emotional neglect) exhibited more substantial effects on gratitude than emotional abuse, while the effects of childhood physical and sexual abuse were insignificant. In addition, the mean effect sizes were larger in studies with younger samples. However, the effect did not vary as functions of CM measurement, methodological rigor, whether the sample included college students only, publication type, or region of the sample. Last, we highlighted the limitations of existing research, proposed agendas for future studies, and discussed practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the quality of information about corporal punishment (CP) and psychological maltreatment (PM) offered in 236 on-line parenting blogs. Results revealed that fewer than 15% of posts made an unambiguous statement against CP, explained that it was harmful and/or ineffective, cited research evidence against its use, or countered reasons for its use. Not one post mentioned all six types of PM and the most common forms were mentioned by fewer than one third. Human service professionals should be aware that many online parenting resources are unlikely to warn parents against these harmful parenting behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to investigate parent-related risk factor combinations that explain family violence (FV), which refers to intimate partner violence and child maltreatment (CM). The data were collected from parents with a 4-year-old child using a nationwide retrospective cross-sectional survey conducted in Finland (FinChildren) (N = 10,737). The research questions were as follows: (a) How are parent-related risk factors associated with FV against children and the spouse? (b) How does the accumulation of parent-related risk factors within three risk factor clusters explain FV? Analyses were carried out using cross-tabulations with χ2 tests, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and binary logistic regression analyses. The risk factor clusters built based on the EFA were as follows: parental well-being, parent's childhood adversities, and parent's health. Our results indicated that even a single risk factor predicted the likelihood of FV. In the well-being risk factor cluster, the odds for the occurrence of FV in parents with one well-being risk factor were double (odds ratios [OR] = 2.21; confidence intervals [CI]: [1.99, 2.45]) and in parents with at least four risk factors was six times (OR = 6.05; CI: [4.48, 8.18]) compared to those with no risk factor. We concluded that (a) the more different risk factors parents had, the more likely they were to report FV and (b) the accumulation of risk factors for well-being contributes most to the occurrence of the risk of FV. As a result, we emphasize the importance of identifying families with concurrent risk factors. However, any individual concerns must be addressed with parents and they must be supported in coping with their everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Norwegian authorities have intensified their efforts to prevent and prosecute domestic violence while prioritising the protection of victims, with initiatives such as action plans, strategic measures and various programmes, with a particular focus on children. Despite increased awareness of violence towards children, a significant portion still goes unreported. Our study aims to examine patterns in disclosure attempts among Norwegian teenagers. We studied 11,615 teenagers from the Local Youth Survey between 2014 and 2016 who confirmed experiencing physical violence from an adult family member. Our findings indicate that, among those who did try to disclose, informal confidants like parents or friends, rather than school employees, were the preferred choices. When examining the factors that influence the likelihood of attempting to disclose, we observed that the frequency of violence played a significant role in explaining variation. The likelihood of attempting disclosure was also higher among girls and among those with a low socioeconomic background. Part of this pattern was confirmed also when studying the subgroup that had tried to disclose: the probability of attempting to tell a school employee was higher among those who had a low socioeconomic background and was exposed to violence more frequently. In this subgroup, however, no significant gender differences were observed. Key Practitioner Messages: Few teenagers who have experienced physical violence from an adult in the family try to disclose their experiences.Teenagers who have experienced physical violence from an adult in the family tend to try disclosing their experiences to informal confidants, such as a parent or a friend.Just as important as empowering young people to disclose is the capability and skills of friends and family members when receiving confessions about physical abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were: 1) to estimate the prevalence of child abuse (CA), intimate partner violence (IPV), and elder abuse (EA) in a representative sample of older Mexican women by status, type, and cause of disability; and 2) to examine the associations of EA with CA, IPV, and disability status. We conducted a secondary data analysis of 21,718 women aged 60 years and older. Older women with disabilities had higher prevalences of CA, IPV, and EA than those with some difficulties or without disabilities. In older women whose disability was acquired at birth or due to aggression, this prevalence was especially high. Older women with disabilities and a history of CA and IPV were twice as likely to suffer EA. Policymakers and government leaders should incorporate the matter of violence against women with disabilities into their public agendas. This should be done while considering the women's various disabilities and causes of disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Old age is characterized by reflection and a retrospective examination of the multiple meanings of various life experiences, including lifelong abuse. Forgiveness is found to have a salutary effect, especially for older adults. To understand the place and role of forgiveness in the reflective process during aging, we performed a secondary analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews (N = 78) with older women survivors of abuse. Inductive thematic analysis was based on concepts developed deductively from the literature review. The findings include three main themes: (1) The dimensions of forgiving: The victim as subject; (2) Being forgiven: Between lost forgiveness and hope; and (3) Self-forgiveness and the aging self. Despite the known salutary effect of forgiveness, we must consider that this is not a universally desirable process. We included the dimension of forgiveness in the study of abuse throughout the older person's life course and identified further complexities in addition to the "forgiveness"/"unforgiveness." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different forms of maltreatment are thought to incur a cumulative and non-specific toll on mental health. However, few large-scale studies draw on psychiatric diagnoses manifesting in early childhood and adolescence to identify sequelae of differential maltreatment exposures, and emotional maltreatment, in particular. Fine-grained multi-source dimensional maltreatment assessments and validated age-appropriate clinical interviews were conducted in a sample of N = 778 3 to 16-year-olds. We aimed to (a) substantiate known patterns of clinical outcomes following maltreatment and (b) analyse relative effects of emotional maltreatment, abuse (physical and sexual), and neglect (physical, supervisory, and moral-legal/educational) using structural equation modeling. Besides confirming known relationships between maltreatment exposures and psychiatric disorders, emotional maltreatment exerted particularly strong effects on internalizing disorders in older youth and externalizing disorders in younger children, accounting for variance over and above abuse and neglect exposures. Our data highlight the toxicity of pathogenic relational experiences from early childhood onwards, urging researchers and practitioners alike to prioritize future work on emotional maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survivors of childhood maltreatment (CM) may experience difficulties in the peripartum period and in adjustment to motherhood. In this study we examined a model wherein CM is associated with maternal self-efficacy and maternal bonding three months postpartum, through mediation of peripartum dissociation and reduced sense of control during childbirth and postpartum-posttraumatic-stress disorder (P-PTSD). Women were recruited in a maternity ward within 48 h of childbirth (T1, N = 440), and contacted three-months postpartum (T2, N = 295). Participants completed self-report questionnaires: peripartum dissociation, sense of control (T1), and CM, P-PTSD, postpartum-depression, maternal self-efficacy and bonding (T2). Obstetrical data were collected from medical files. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypothesized model, controlling for mode of delivery and postpartum-depression. Reported CM included child emotional neglect (CEN; 23.5%), child emotional abuse (CEA; 16.3%), child sexual abuse (CSA; 12.9%) and child physical abuse (CPA; 7.1%). CM was positively associated with peripartum dissociation and P-PTSD (p <.001). Peripartum dissociation was positively associated with P-PTSD (p <.001). P-PTSD was negatively associated with maternal self-efficacy (p <.001) and maternal bonding (p <.001). Association between CM and maternal self-efficacy and bonding was serially mediated by peripartum dissociation and P-PTSD, but not by sense of control. Findings remained significant after controlling for mode of delivery and postpartum-depression. CM is a risk factor for adjustment to motherhood, owing to its effects on peripartum dissociation and P-PTSD. Implementation of a trauma-informed approach in obstetric care and recognition of peripartum dissociative reactions are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep problems are an important but understudied health problem in adolescents exposed to childhood maltreatment. The current study aimed to examine sleep characteristics and insomnia in a population with maltreatment history and compare them to a general population sample of adolescents. Data from a sample of Norwegian 16–19‐year‐old adolescents with childhood maltreatment experiences (n = 62) were linked to an age‐ and sex‐matched general population sample (n = 238). Independent samples t tests were used to compare the two groups on several detailed sleep parameters, while general linear models were used to control for mental health problems, assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Mental health was examined as a potential mediator between childhood maltreatment and sleep characteristics. Adolescents exposed to childhood maltreatment had longer sleep onset latency (1:15 h vs. 47 min, p < 0.001), longer wake after sleep onset (34 min vs. 15 min, p < 0.003), lower sleep efficiency in weekdays (77.8%, vs. 85%, p < 0.007), and lower sleep efficiency in weekends (81.8% vs. 88.9%, p < 0.001) than the reference group. Mental health problems fully mediated the association between childhood maltreatment exposure and longer sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset. The rate of insomnia did not significantly differ between the groups. This study suggests that older adolescents exposed to childhood maltreatment have more sleep problems than the general adolescent population, and that these problems may be explained by co‐existing mental health problems. These findings highlight the potential utility of assessing and providing sleep‐focused treatment to adolescents with a history of childhood maltreatment and mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood abuse has been associated with adverse medical, psychological, behavioral, and socioeconomic outcomes in adulthood. Despite this, limited research explores the connection between childhood abuse and unintended pregnancy during adulthood. Notably, existing studies have predominantly focused on high-income countries, leaving a significant gap regarding low- and middle-income nations. This study aims to investigate the impact of childhood physical, sexual, and psychological abuse on the prevalence of unintended pregnancies and explore the interaction effects of childhood abuse on unintended pregnancy occurrences. The cross-sectional survey study was conducted between October 2015 and January 2016 in the Chandpur District of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 426 married women aged 15–49 years who had at least one child of six months or younger. The assessment of child abuse pertains to the mother's own experiences of childhood abuse and not abuse inflicted on her child. The prevalence of childhood physical, psychological, and sexual abuse was 37%, 26%, and 15%, respectively. About 25.1% of their most recent pregnancies were unintended. Notably, women with a history of childhood sexual abuse were twice as likely to experience unintended pregnancy compared to those without such a history. Furthermore, a dose-response connection was observed between the combined exposure of all categories of childhood abuse and a higher risk of unintended pregnancy. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, such as comprehensive sex education, accessible mental health support, and improved child protection frameworks, to address the potential repercussions of maternal childhood abuse and reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is established evidence that childhood/adolescent victimization is associated with victimization in adulthood although the underlying mechanisms are not still clear. The current study aimed to systematically review empirical studies examining potential psychological factors linking childhood maltreatment to victimization in adulthood and the gaps in the literature. Following PRISMA protocol, 71 original studies consisting of a total sample of n = 31,633 subjects were analyzed. Symptom severity for various trauma-related disorders, dissociation, emotion dysregulation, and risky sexual behaviors emerged as potential predictors of revictimization. While these potential risk factors mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adulthood victimization, evidence for additional factors such as social support, attachment styles, maladaptive schemas, and risk detection is very limited. Addressing these intrapersonal risk factors, found by prior studies, in interventions and preventive programs might decrease the probability of revictimization. The interactions between the identified risk factors have not been studied well yet. Hence, more research on mediating risk factors of revictimization is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the developmental outcomes of children who have experienced maltreatment, identifying three distinct classes: children with socioemotional problems, children with competency delay, and children with socioemotional problems and competency delay. The findings highlight the importance of understanding each group's unique characteristics and challenges to inform targeted interventions and support systems. Future research should explore the interplay between environmental factors, caregiver characteristics, and child development as the basis for tailored, effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]