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Purpose Corporal punishment (CP) and physical abuse (PA) in childhood are associated with increased risk of child-to-parent violence (CPV). Without context of discipline (i.e., the intention of behavior change, and use of reasonable force), both CP and PA represent the use of physical force against a child. It is still unclear if their associations with CPV are similar when they co-occur, or when they occur in isolation. The current study examined the differential and cumulative association of different types of physical force in childhood with rates of CPV. Method The sample consisted of 1,132 participants, between 18 to 87-years-old (M = 50.95, SD = 14.24) and included 59.5% female and 39.2% male participants who completed an online survey measuring CP, PA and CPV. Participants formed three groups: low CP or PA (group low), high CP only (group HCP), or high PA and CP (group PA + CP). Results Two one-way ANOVAs with planned contrasts were conducted separately for CPV against mothers and fathers. The group HCP reported significantly higher CPV against both the mother and the father than group low and there was no significant difference between group HCP and group PA + CP. Conclusions Higher rates of CP are associated with higher rates of CPV; however, this rate does not increase further when there is concurrent PA. This suggests that there may be a low sensitivity for retaliation from a young person, or coercive training (through high parent-child conflict), in environments where there is physical force from a parent., Author(s): Travis Harries [sup.1] [sup.2] , Ashlee Curtis [sup.1] [sup.2] , Olivia Valpied [sup.1] , Ryan Baldwin [sup.1] [sup.2] , Shannon Hyder [sup.1] [sup.2] , Peter Miller [sup.1] [sup.2] Author [...]

Child maltreatment has been an issue of concern worldwide. This study aims to explore the relationship between child maltreatment and children's teacher-student relationships/peer relationships and the mechanisms of the relationship. Data were collected at two intervals of 12 months from 1,037 school-aged children (M = 9.57, SD = 0.65). This study divided child maltreatment into emotional and physical maltreatment. Both types of maltreatment were negatively associated with children's teacher-student and peer relationships. After controlling for demographic variables, both cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression fully mediated the effects of emotional maltreatment on both types of interpersonal relationships. In addition, expressive suppression also partially mediated between physical maltreatment and teacher-student relationships, and fully mediated between physical maltreatment and peer relationships. The current study provides an understanding of how different types of child maltreatment affect children's relationships. This study also provides timely and necessary research to prevent and intervene in the harm that maltreatment causes to children., Author(s): Xiaoyue Wang [sup.1] , Wan Ding [sup.1] , Ruibo Xie [sup.1] , Wei Wu [sup.1] , Min Jiang [sup.1] , Sumaira Kayani [sup.1] , Weijian Li [sup.1] Author Affiliations: [...]

This study examines the alcohol use and alcohol intoxication trajectories for victims of childhood violence over time and the potential pathways of relational difficulties and revictimization for the association between childhood abuse and problematic drinking behavior. The sample included 681 respondents (aged 19-37 years) from a follow-up study (2017) conducted via phone interviews derived from a community telephone survey collected in 2013. Individuals who were exposed to violence (n = 298) had higher starting levels of alcohol intoxication at age 16, but the controls (n = 383) had a steeper increase across time. The violence exposed cases reported more problematic drinking behavior than the controls. Significant predictors for problematic drinking behavior among the cases were revictimization (OR = 2.08, 95% CI:1.17-3.70), having deviant peer relationships (OR = 2.73, 95% CI:1.47-5.06) and low social support (OR 0.71, 95% CI:0.51-0.99). Clinicians need to be aware of the negative relationships between revictimization, social relationships and problematic drinking behavior in individuals exposed to childhood violence., Author(s): Ida Frugård Strøm [sup.1] , Marianne Skogbrott Birkeland [sup.1] , Helene Flood Aakvaag [sup.1] , Siri Thoresen [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.504188.0, 0000 0004 0460 5461, Norwegian Centre for [...]

Maternal experience of childhood abuse has been associated with offspring autism. To explore whether familial tendency towards autistic traits-presumably related to genetic predisposition-accounts for this association, we examined whether women who experienced childhood abuse were more likely to select mates with high levels of autistic traits, and whether parental autistic traits accounted for the association of maternal abuse and offspring autism in 209 autism cases and 833 controls. Maternal childhood abuse was strongly associated with high paternal autistic traits (severe abuse, OR = 3.98, 95% CI = 1.26, 8.31). Maternal and paternal autistic traits accounted for 21% of the association between maternal abuse and offspring autism. These results provide evidence that childhood abuse affects mate selection, with implications for offspring health., Author(s): Andrea L. Roberts [sup.1] , Kristen Lyall [sup.2] , Marc G. Weisskopf [sup.3] [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School [...]

The influences of child maltreatment and inherited liability on the development of antisocial behavior were examined. Child maltreatment and inherited liability had an additive effect on antisocial development.

Women with minority sexual orientations (e.g., lesbian, bisexual) are more likely than heterosexual women to report histories of childhood maltreatment and attempted suicide; however, the importance of the timing of minority sexual orientation development in contributing to this increased risk is uncertain. This study investigated relationships between self-reported ages of achieving minority sexual orientation development milestones (first awareness of same-gender attractions, disclosure of a minority sexual orientation to another person, and same-gender sexual contact), and childhood maltreatment and suicide attempt experiences in a sample of 2,001 women recruited from multiple-community sources. Younger age of minority sexual orientation development milestones was positively linked to self-reported recall of childhood maltreatment experiences, and to a childhood suicide attempt. After adjusting for differences in maltreatment, the odds of suicide attempt attributable to younger age of sexual orientation development milestones was reduced by 50 to 65%, suggesting that maltreatment may account for about half of the elevated risk for childhood suicide attempts among women with early minority sexual orientation development. Implications for services, interventions, and further research to address maltreatment disparities for sexual minorities are discussed. Keywords: sexual orientation, suicide attempt, childhood maltreatment, victimization, racial/ethnic minority DOI: 10.1037/a0017163

This study examined the joint impact of experiencing both interparental violence and child physical maltreatment on young adults' self-esteem. It also tested the hypothesis of parental and peer relationship qualities as mediators in the relationship between childhood histories of family violence and adult self-esteem. Data were collected from a national probability sample of 1,924 college students in Taiwan. Research results demonstrated that experiencing both interparental violence and physical maltreatment during childhood have long-term and detrimental impact on adult self-esteem. This impact was statistically independent of other potential confounding Factors. Moreover, participants experiencing dual violence during childhood reported lower self-esteem than those experiencing only one type of family violence or none at all. Male participants who experienced dual violence reported lower serf-esteem than female participants who experienced dual violence. Further analyses revealed that parental and peer relationship qualities mediated the joint impact of interparental violence and physical maltreatment on adult sell-esteem. Keywords: interparental violence; child physical maltreatment; self-esteem; parental relationship; peer relationship

Objective To synthesize recent evidence from systematic and comprehensive reviews on the effectiveness of universal and selective child maltreatment prevention interventions, evaluate the methodological quality of the reviews and outcome evaluation studies they are based on, and map the geographical distribution of the evidence. Methods A systematic review of reviews was conducted. The quality of the systematic reviews was evaluated with a tool for the assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR), and the quality of the outcome evaluations was assessed using indicators of internal validity and of the construct validity of outcome measures. Findings The review focused on seven main types of interventions: home visiting, parent education, child sex abuse prevention, abusive head trauma prevention, multi-component interventions, media-based interventions, and support and mutual aid groups. Four of the seven--home-visiting, parent education, abusive head trauma prevention and multi-component interventions--show promise in preventing actual child maltreatment. Three of them--home visiting, parent education and child sexual abuse prevention --appear effective in reducing risk factors for child maltreatment, although these conclusions are tentative due to the methodological shortcomings of the reviews and outcome evaluation studies they draw on. An analysis of the geographical distribution of the evidence shows that outcome evaluations of child maltreatment prevention interventions are exceedingly rare in low- and middle-income countries and make up only 0.6% of the total evidence base. Conclusion Evidence for the effectiveness of four of the seven main types of interventions for preventing child maltreatment is promising, although it is weakened by methodological problems and paucity of outcome evaluations from low- and middle-income countries. Objectif Faire la synthese des preuves recemment fournies par des revues systematiques et completes sur l'efficacite d'interventions universelles et selectives pour prevenir la maltraitance des enfants, evaluer la qualite methodologique de ces revues et des etudes d'evaluation des resultats sur lesquelles elles reposent et cartographier la distribution geographique des preuves. Methodes Une revue systematique de revues a ete realisee. La qualite des revues examinees a ete evaluee a l'aide d'un outil d'evaluation des revues systematiques multiples (AMSTAR) et celle des evaluations de resultats au moyen d'indicateurs de la validite interne et de la validite de construction des mesures de resultat. Resultats La revue s'est concentree sur sept types principaux d'interventions: visites a domicile, education des parents, prevention des abus sexuels chez l'enfant, prevention des traumatismes craniens dus a la maltraitance, interventions pluricomposantes, interventions s'appuyant sur les medias et groupes de soutien et d'entraide. Quatre sur sept de ces interventions--visites domicile, education des parents, prevention des traumatismes cranien dus a la maltraitance--semblent prometteuses pour prevenir la maltraitance proprement dite. Trois d'entre elles--visites domicile, education des parents et prevention des abus sexuels chez l'enfant--apparaissent efficaces dans la reduction des facteurs de risque de maltraitance infantile, en depit du caractere provisoire de ces conclusions compte tenu des defauts methodologiques des revues et des etudes d'evaluation des resultats sur lesquelles elles se fondent. Une analyse de la distribution geographique des preuves montre que les evaluations des resultats des interventions pour prevenir la maltraitance des enfants sont extremement rares dans les pays a revenu faible et moyen et ne constituent que 0,6 % de l'ensemble de la base factuelle. Conclusion Les preuves attestant l'efficacite de quatre des sept principaux types d'interventions pour prevenir la maltraitance des enfants sont prometteuses, meme si ces preuves sont affaiblies par les probtemes methodologiques et la rarete des evaluations des resultats d'interventions dans les pays a revenu faible et moyen. Objetivo Sintetizar las pruebas recientes aportadas por revisiones sistematicas e integrales de la eficacia de las intervenciones universales o selectivas para prevenir el maltrato infantil, evaluar la calidad metodolegica de las revisiones y de los estudios de evaluacien de los resultados incluidos en elias, y elaborar un mapa de la distribucien geografica de los datos. Metodos Se realize una revisien sistematica de las revisiones. La calidad de las revisiones sistematicas se valoro con un instrumento de evaluacion de multiples revisiones sistematicas (AMSTAR), y la calidad de los estudios de evaluacien de los resultados incluidos en elias con indicadores de la validez interna y la validez conceptual de las medidas de los resultados. Resultados La revision se centre en siete tipos principales de intervenciones: visitas a domicilio, educacien de los padres, prevencien del abuso sexual infantil, prevencion de los traumatismos craneales por maltrato, intervenciones con multiples componentes, intervenciones basadas en los medios de comunicacien, y grupos de apoyo y entreayuda. Cuatro de las siete (visitas a domicilio, educacien de los padres, prevencien de los traumatismos craneales por maltrato e intervenciones con multiples componentes) fueron prometedoras para evitar que se produzca el maltrato infantil. Tres (visitas a domicilio, educacien de los padres y prevencion del abuso sexual infantil) parecen ser eficaces para reducir los factores de riesgo de maltrato infantil, aunque estas conclusiones son provisionales, teniendo en cuenta las deficiencias metodologicas de las revisiones y de los estudios en los que se basan. El analisis de la distribucion geografica de los datos revela que los estudios sobre los resultados de las intervenciones de prevencien del maltrato son extremadamente raros en los paises de bajos y medianos ingresos (0,6% de la totalidad de dichos estudios). Conclusien Las pruebas sobre la eficacia de cuatro de los siete tipos de intervenciones principales para prevenir el maltrato infantil son prometedoras, aunque seven debilitadas por los problemas metodolegicos y la escasez de estudios de evaluacien de los resultados procedentes de los paises de bajos y medianos ingresos., Introduction Child maltreatment prevention is poised to become a global health priority due to four main factors. First, retrospective and prospective studies have established that child maltreatment has strong, long-lasting [...]

We investigate maternal attitudes toward corporal punishment and the attribution of blame to the child on the basis of data gathered from a population survey of a representative sample of mothers and mother figures. A total of 3,148 women living at least half of the time with a child participated in a telephone survey. The independent variables included in the multivariate model predicting maternal attitudes and attributions include the child's, the mother's and the family's characteristics and social support. Results of the multiple regression analysis demonstrate the unique contribution of variables according to the mother's characteristics (mother's sensitivity to the consequences of violence, mother's experience of childhood violence and parental stress related to child's temperament). These results partially support the importance of prevention programs that would reduce stress and increase the level of parental empathy through the means of parental training. Keywords Corporal punishment * Parental attitudes * Childhood abuse * Parental stress

To study risks of abuse, violence, and homicide, 181 Abused Children (M age=12.85 yr., SD=2.74; 58 girls, 123 boys) were matched with 181 clinic-referred Controls. Data analysis was Shao's bootstrapped logistic regression with area under curve (AUC) and odds ratios (OR). Predictors of abused status were court contacts (OR=2.04e+22) and poorer executive function (OR=.81; AUC=.99; 95% CI= .97-.99). Groups were tracked forward in records for 9 years (M=8.78 yr., SD=1.41). Looking forward, youth (M age=21.63 yr., SD=2.07) were classified into Abused Children Later Homicidal (5%, n=10), Abused Children Later Violent (23%, n=41), Abused Children Later Delinquent (28%, n=50), Abused Children Later Nondelinquent (44%, n=80), and Controls (n=181). Data were analyzed with two more logistic regressions. Predictors of Abused Children Later Homicidal compared with Controls were number of court contacts (OR=50,398.78) and poorer executive function (OR=79.72; AUC=.91; 95% CI=.80-.95). The predictor of Abused Children Later Homicidal contrasted with Abused Children Later Nondelinquent was court contacts (OR=2,077,089,352; AUC=.87; 95% CI=.65-.95). The common predictor for Abused Children and Abused Children Later Homicidal groups was court contacts.

To study risks for abuse and later homicidal behavior, 192 abused infants (M age=3.12 yr., SD=1.48; 82 girls, 110 boys) and 192 controls were matched on demographics and examined; data discriminating abused and later homicidal cases were analyzed with Shao's bootstrapped logistic regression. Predictors of Abused status were injury, burn, poisoning, fetal substance exposure (OR=2.47), later parental or youth court contacts (OR=1.86e+12), and parental alcohol abuse (OR=.54; AUC = .99; 95% CI=.96-.99). Youth tracked through records 12 years (to M age=12.17 yr., SD=1.89) were classified into Abused Later Homicidal (11%, n=21), Abused Later Violent (14%, n=27), Abused Later Delinquent (31%, n=60), Abused Later Nondelinquent (n=44), and Control groups (n=192). Data were analyzed similarly. When the Abused Later Homicidal was contrasted with the Control group, predictors of homicide were three or more home/school moves (OR=.78), illnesses (OR=.90), and later court contacts (OR=1.75e+07; AUC=.99; 95% CI=.90-.98). When the Abused Later Homicidal was compared with the Abused Later Nondelinquent group, predictors of homicide were poorer executive function (OR=2.29) and later court contacts (OR=7.78e+06; AUC=.94; 95% CI=.90-.98).

Despite evidence that childhood maltreatment is associated with increased risk for intimate partner abuse perpetration, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. Given literature suggesting that violent behaviors may serve an emotion regulating function, this study examined the mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and intimate partner abuse perpetration among 341 male and female undergraduates. However, given evidence of gender differences in the underlying mechanisms of intimate partner abuse, emotion dysregulation was expected to be more relevant to the perpetration of partner abuse among men. Consistent with hypotheses, emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and intimate partner abuse among men; conversely, emotion dysregulation was not associated with partner abuse among women. Keywords: intimate partner violence; perpetration; emotion regulation; childhood abuse; childhood neglect

We examined the relationship of gender and different forms of abuse experience on internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and IQ in a sample of 397 youngsters who were admitted to a residential treatment program. Three types of abuse experience were examined in this study: sexual abuse only, physical abuse only, and both sexual and physical abuse. Results indicate that girls exhibited higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms even though abuse experience was accounted for in the analyses. Moreover, youngsters who had experienced sexual abuse (but not physical abuse) exhibited higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms than youngsters who had not been abused. Implications for developing individualized interventions based on gender and abuse experience in residential treatment programs is discussed. Keywords Residential treatment * Gender differences * Aggression * Sexual abuse * Physical abuse

The purpose of this article is to identify profiles of maltreatment experiences in a sample of high-risk adolescents and to investigate the relationship between the derived profiles and psychological adjustment. Participants are 1,131 youth between the ages of 12 and 18 years involved with publicly funded mental health and social services. Information on physical, sexual, and emotional maltreatment and psychological symptoms are obtained in interviews with adolescents and their primary caregivers. Using latent profile analysis, three maltreatment profiles are identified: 'sexual + physical + emotional maltreatment,' 'physical + emotional maltreatment,' and 'low maltreatment.' Adolescents in the two maltreatment profiles generally have significantly higher scores on symptom scales compared with those in the 'low maltreatment' profile, but scores in the two maltreatment profiles do not differ. Findings highlight the need for agencies to identify and provide appropriate intervention for youth who experience multiple types of maltreatment. Keywords: abuse; adjustment problems; adolescents; latent profile analysis; maltreatment

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between various levels of parent-child physical violence and psychological symptoms reported by college students, while controlling for demographic variables, severity and frequency of violence, and co-occurrence of parental psychological aggression. Method: Participants included 298 college students ranging in age from 18 to 27 years. Participants completed a demographic information form, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTSPC). Results: Results of analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance indicated that individuals in the child physical abuse group obtained higher BSI scores compared to individuals in the corporal punishment and no violence groups. Few differences were observed between mild and severe corporal punishment groups. Multiple regression analyses indicated that when frequency of corporal punishment, child physical abuse, and psychological aggression, along with demographic variables, were considered simultaneously, psychological aggression was the most unique predictor of BSI scores. Conclusions: The findings suggest that severe forms of physical violence were associated with long-term psychological symptoms. When demographic variables and the frequency of several parent aggression variables were considered simultaneously, however, psychological aggression was most predictive of psychological outcome. These findings suggest that messages communicated to a child via psychological aggression may be more important in contributing to psychological outcome than the actual occurrence of physical violence toward the child. Practice implications: The current study supports the premise that severe physical aggression experienced in childhood is associated with serious psychological consequences in adulthood. In contrast, individuals who experienced less severe forms of parent-child violence, such as corporal aggression, exhibited similar symptom levels to those reporting no parent-child violence. When severe physical aggression, corporal aggression, and psychological aggression were considered simultaneously, however, psychological aggression emerged as the most unique predictor of psychological outcome. Researchers and clinicians who work with adults reporting childhood histories of severe parent-child violence should be aware of the importance of parent-child psychological aggression in contributing to psychological outcome. Keywords: Corporal punishment Parental physical aggression Parental psychological aggression

Objective: This study presents evaluative data on the Childhood Experiences of Violence Questionnaire (CEVQ), a brief, self-report measure of youth victimization. Methods: Literature reviews, expert consultations and qualitative interviews informed the development of the CEVQ. Test-retest reliability of the preliminary and final versions of the CEVQ was examined. Child welfare workers (n = 11) assessed content validity. Construct validity was assessed by comparing levels of emotional and behavioral problems of youth with self-reports (n = 177) of victimization. Criterion validity was tested by comparing clinicians' judgment of child physical abuse (PA) and child sexual abuse (SA) with youths' self-reports (n = 93). Results: In general, test-retest intra-class correlations (ICCs) for the preliminary version of the questionnaire were good to excellent. Reliability estimates for the stem questions in the final version of the CEVQ were excellent, except for peer violence items which showed fair to good agreement. ICCs for PA, severe PA, SA, and severe SA of the CEVQ were .85, .77, .92, and .87, respectively. Youth with self-reported victimization had significantly higher scores for most categories of emotional and behavioral disorders. Experts classified victimization items as relevant. Kappa coefficients comparing clinician's judgments and youth's self-reports for PA, severe PA, SA, and severe SA were .67, .64, .70, and .50, respectively. Conclusions: The present findings provide preliminary evidence that the CEVQ is a brief, reliable, valid and informative instrument for assessing exposure to victimization and maltreatment among youth. Practice implications: Although this instrument is not appropriate for clinical use at this time, its psychometric properties will make it useful in conducting further epidemiological research and studies evaluating interventions aimed at reducing victimization. Keywords: Youth victimization Self-report instrument Child physical abuse Child sexual abuse

While most of the existing literature has focused on the risks associated with parentification, we examined the potential benefits (i.e., posttraumatic growth) associated with parentification. Predictors of posttraumatic growth explored in our study included: attachment, differentiation of self, parentification, and resiliency. Partial support was found for the predictor variables leading to posttraumatic growth, with resilience emerging as the strongest predictor; resilience explained 14% of the variance in posttraumatic growth. These findings suggest that future research might explore additional resiliency factors that explain positive psychological outcomes related to childhood parentification. Keywords Family system * Parentification * Child maltreatment * Posttraumatic growth * Psychopathology * Resiliency

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2007.12.006 Byline: Cathy Spatz Widom (a), Sally J. Czaja (a), Mary Ann Dutton (b) Keywords: Childhood victimization; Lifetime revictimization; Physical abuse; Sexual abuse; Neglect; Lifetime trauma and victimization history Abstract: To examine the fundamental hypothesis that childhood victimization leads to increased vulnerability for subsequent (re)victimization in adolescence and adulthood and, if so, whether there are differences in rates of experiencing traumas and victimizations by gender, race/ethnicity, and type of childhood abuse and/or neglect. Author Affiliation: (a) Psychology Department, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), 899 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, USA (b) Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA Article History: Received 3 August 2006; Revised 29 November 2007; Accepted 10 December 2007 Article Note: (footnote) [star] This research was supported in part by grants from NIMH (MH49467 and MH58386), NIJ (86-IJ-CX-0033 and 89-IJ-CX-0007), NICHD (HD40774), NIDA (DA17842 and DA10060), and NIAAA (AA09238 and AA11108). Points of view are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the United States Department of Justice.

This study examines risk factors for substance involvement for youths involved with the child welfare (CW) system. In addition to common risk factors examined in general population studies; this research examines risk factors unique to youths in the CW system, including age at entry into CW and number of out-of-home placements. Participants included 214 youths ages 13 to 18, randomly sampled from youths active to CW in San Diego County, California. Severity of substance involvement was assessed through structured diagnostic interviews determining lifetime substance use, abuse, and dependence. Hierarchical regression analyses including demographics, psychosocial variables, maltreatment history, CW placement variables, and the interaction of age at entry into CW and number of out-of-home placements revealed that both common and CW-specific risk factors were associated with the severity of youth substance involvement. Multiple-placement changes, later entry into the CW system, and multiple-placement changes at an older age are associated with higher risk for more serious substance involvement for youths in CW. Keywords: substance use, substance abuse, child welfare, maltreatment, risk factors

Objectives. We sought to determine the fractions of psychiatric disorders and suicide ideation and attempts in a general population sample attributable to childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessing domestic violence. Methods. Data were obtained from the US National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Population attributable fractions were calculated to determine the proportion of psychiatric disorders and suicide ideation and attempts attributable to adverse childhood experiences. The analysis was stratified by gender. Results. The estimated attributable fractions for psychiatric disorders attributable to having experienced any adverse childhood event ranged from 22% to 32% among women and 20% to 24% among men. Having experienced any adverse event accounted for a substantial proportion of suicide ideation and attempts among women (16% and 50%, respectively) and men (21% and 33%, respectively). Substantial proportions of poor mental health outcomes were also attributable to increasing number of adverse events. Conclusions. The estimated proportions of poor mental health outcomes attributed to childhood adversity were medium to large for men and women. Prevention efforts that reduce exposure to adverse childhood events could substantially reduce the prevalence of psychopathology and suicidal behavior in the general population. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.120253)

This study examined individual and partner characteristics that contribute to the propensity for physical violence in couples. In a sample of 171 heterosexual dating couples, each partner completed measures assessing experienced childhood abuse, alcohol use, alcohol expectancies, attachment, and relationship length. Physically violent men reported more abuse from each parent, greater alcohol use, anxious attachment, and a longer relationship. Their female partner reported more childhood abuse by the father and reciprocal perpetrated violence. Physically violent women reported more abuse from the father, greater alcohol use, aggressive alcohol expectancies, and a longer relationship. Their male partner reported greater abuse from the mother, greater alcohol use, and reciprocal perpetrated violence. This study demonstrates the importance of considering how each individual's characteristics within a dyad contribute to increased propensity for dating violence. Keywords: dating violence; alcohol use; child abuse; attachment styles; intimate partner violence

Objective: Despite the widely held belief that abuse is a risk factor for childhood firesetting, the role of maltreatment in firesetting is largely unexplored. This study reports on a sample of children and adolescents referred to a brief assessment and intervention program for juvenile firesetters. Firesetting histories of maltreated youth were compared to a group of firesetting youth with no maltreatment history. Methods: Participants included 205 children and youth aged 4-17 years and their caregivers. Assessments were completed with a standardized protocol. Forty-eight percent of the sample had a history of maltreatment as reported by caregivers; 26% of the sample had experienced more than one type of maltreatment. Results: When compared to the non-maltreated group, children with histories of maltreatment demonstrated more frequent fire involvement, more versatility regarding ignition sources and targets, and a greater likelihood of an immediate family stressor as a motive for firesetting (all p < .05). Maltreated children were more likely to become involved with fire out of anger (p = .001), and there was also a trend towards higher rates of recidivism (p = .07). Children's externalizing behavior partially mediated the influence of maltreatment on specific fire-related outcomes of children (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.04-1.17; p = .001). Conclusions: Within a juvenile firesetting population, the presence of maltreatment is a risk factor for a more severe course of firesetting. The findings also suggest that the link between maltreatment and firesetting is operating partially through heightened emotional and behavioral difficulties. Practice implications: This study demonstrates that maltreatment is a risk factor that contributes to a more severe course of juvenile fire involvement, and that the link between maltreatment and firesetting operates largely through heightened behavioral and emotional difficulties. These findings highlight the need for mental health clinicians to (a) be aware that these two serious clinical issues frequently co-occur, (b) screen for fire-related behaviors and maltreatment during general assessments, and (c) consider maltreatment status when thinking about the risk of firesetting. Keywords: Juvenile fire involvement; Juvenile firesetting; Maltreatment; Child abuse; Children's externalizing behaviors; Behavioral problems

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine associations between childhood adversity, parental bonding, gender, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in non-treatment-seeking adults from the community. Method: Effects of differential parental rearing were compared in adults who reported a high degree of childhood maltreatment (n = 72) and those who reported no significant adverse events in childhood (n = 69). Subjects completed retrospective measures of childhood maltreatment and perceived parenting style, as well as measures of current depressive symptoms and quality of life. Results: The subjects without childhood maltreatment were younger and endorsed less current depressive symptomatology than did subjects with childhood maltreatment. While the subjects without a history of maltreatment reported more 'optimal' bonding experiences with their parents, the maltreatment group members were more likely to characterize their early parental bonding experiences in terms of 'affectionless control' (p < .001 for both maternal and paternal parenting), 'affectionate constraint' (p = .025 for maternal parenting and p = .004 for paternal parenting), or 'weak or absent' bonding (p < .001 for both maternal and paternal parenting). Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that overall quality of paternal care (p = .015) and current level of depressive symptoms (p < .001) were significant independent predictors of adult quality of life. Gender effects between subjects providing parental bonding data were limited to the group with childhood maltreatment. Conclusion: These findings extend previous work documenting a relationship between early life maltreatment and suboptimal parental bonding, suggesting gender-specific effects of maternal and paternal care. Effects of childhood maltreatment on quality of life in adulthood appear to be linked with the quality of childhood paternal care and the occurrence of depressive symptomatology in adulthood, suggesting possible targets for primary or secondary prevention. Keywords: Parental bonding; Quality of life; Childhood maltreatment

Objective: The links between child maltreatment and juvenile offending are well established. However, the majority of maltreated children do not offend. The research presented in this paper examines the impact that timing and chronicity of child maltreatment have on juvenile offending. Methods: Administrative data were obtained on all children who were born in Queensland, Australia in 1983 or 1984 and had contact with child protective services for at least one child protection matter (N=5,849). For these children information was obtained on all child protection and juvenile justice contacts until the age of 17. These data were analyzed using the Semi-Parametric Group-Based trajectory analyses [Nagin, D., & Land, L. (1993). Age, criminal careers, and population heterogeneity: Specification and estimation of a nonparametric mixed Poisson model. Criminology, 31,327-362]. Results: Six distinctive maltreatment trajectory groups were identified, distinguished by the frequency of victimization, the age of onset and the duration of the maltreatment. Child maltreatment peaked around the transition from preschool to primary school and the transition from primary school to secondary school. Furthermore, children whose maltreatment trajectory started or extended into adolescence were more likely to offend as juveniles than children whose maltreatment occurred prior to, but not during, adolescence. Conclusions: Trajectory analysis provides a useful analytical tool for understanding heterogeneous nature of child maltreatment and the impact of maltreatment on subsequent juvenile offending. Keywords: Adolescent maltreatment; Child maltreatment; Crime prevention; Juvenile offending

Objective: To determine whether child maltreatment is associated with obesity in preschool children. Methods: Data were obtained from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study of 4898 children born between 1998 and 2000 in 20 large US cities. At 3 years of age, 2412 of these children had their height and weight measured, and mothers answered items on the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales about three types of child maltreatment--neglect, corporal punishment, and psychological aggression. The frequency of each type of maltreatment behavior in the prior year was analyzed using categories--ever/never for neglect and quintiles for the other two types of maltreatment. Child obesity was defined as measured body mass index (kg/[m.sup.2]) [greater than or equal to] 95th percentile. Results: Eighteen percent of the children were obese, and the prevalence of any episode of neglect, corporal punishment, and psychological aggression was 11%, 84%, and 93%, respectively. The odds of obesity were increased in children who had experienced neglect (odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.14), after controlling for the income and number of children in the household, the mothers' race/ethnicity, education, marital status, body mass index, prenatal smoking, and age, and the children's sex and birth weight. Neither the frequency of corporal punishment nor psychological aggression was associated with an increased risk of obesity. Conclusions: In a sample of preschool children from 20 large US cities, maternal self-report of neglectful behavior was associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity, after controlling for birth weight, maternal obesity, and multiple socioeconomic factors. Keywords: Child abuse; Child neglect; Obesity; Children; Preschool

Objective: This paper examined the relationship between exposure to sexual and physical abuse (CSA and CPA) in childhood and later educational achievement outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood in a birth cohort of over 1,000 children studied to age 25. Method: Retrospective data on CSA and CPA were gathered at ages 18 and 21 and used to form a best estimate of exposure to CSA and CPA. The relationship between CSA, CPA, and self-reported educational outcomes to 25 years was examined using logistic regression models that took into account social background, parental factors, and individual factors. Results: Increasing exposure to CSA and CPA was significantly associated with failing to achieve secondary school qualifications (CSA: B = .53, SE = .13, p < .0001; CPA: B = .62, SE = .12, p < .0001), gaining a Higher School Certificate (CSA: B = -.48, SE = .13, p < .001; CPA: B = -.78, SE = .14, p < .001), attending university (CSA: B = -.29, SE = .13, p Conclusions: The effects of exposure to CSA and CPA on later educational achievement outcomes are largely explained by the social, family, and individual context within which exposure to abuse takes place. Keywords: Childhood sexual abuse; Childhood physical abuse; Education; Achievement; Longitudinal study

Risk for adult mental health problems associated with child sexual, physical, or emotional abuse and multiple types of child abuse was examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to test study hypotheses in a population-based sample of women (N = 3,936). As expected, child sexual, physical, and emotional abuse were independently associated with increased risk for mental health problems. History of multiple types of child abuse was also associated with elevated risk for mental health problems. In particular, exposure to all three types of child abuse was linked to a 23-fold increase in risk for probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Findings underscore relations between child emotional abuse and adult mental health problems and highlight the need for mental health services for survivors of multiple types of child abuse. Keywords: child maltreatment; emotional abuse; PTSD; women's mental health

Despite the theorized centrality of experiential avoidance in abuse-related psychopathology, empirical examinations of the relationship between childhood abuse and experiential avoidance remain limited. The present study adds to the extant literature on this relationship, providing a laboratory-based investigation of the relationships between childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, experiential avoidance (indexed as unwillingness to persist on 2 psychologically distressing laboratory tasks), and self-reported emotional nonacceptance among a sample of 76 inner-city treatment-seeking substance users. As hypothesized, results provide evidence for heightened experiential avoidance and emotional nonacceptance among individuals with moderate-severe sexual, physical, and emotional abuse (compared to individuals reporting none-low abuse). However, although emotional nonacceptance was associated with increased risk for experiential avoidance, it mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and experiential avoidance only for emotional abuse. As such, results suggest that one mechanism through which emotional abuse in particular leads to experiential avoidance is emotional nonacceptance. Findings suggest the utility of interventions aimed at decreasing experiential avoidance and promoting emotional acceptance among abused individuals.

Objective: This study examined the relationships between childhood and family background variables, including sexual and physical abuse, and subsequent alcohol abuse and psychological distress in adult lesbians. Methodology: Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate relationships between childhood sexual and physical abuse and parenting variables and latent measures of lifetime alcohol abuse and psychological distress in a large community-based sample of lesbians. Results: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) directly predicted lifetime alcohol abuse, and childhood physical abuse (CPA) directly predicted lifetime psychological distress. In addition, CSA indirectly increased the risk of lifetime alcohol abuse through its negative effect on age at first heterosexual intercourse. Childhood physical abuse had only indirect effects on lifetime alcohol abuse through its strong relationship to lifetime psychological distress. Parental drinking problems and parental strictness directly predicted lifetime psychological distress; parental drinking problems indirectly predicted lifetime alcohol abuse through the mediators of age of drinking onset and lifetime psychological distress. White lesbians, younger lesbians, and those with lower levels of education were at greatest risk of psychological distress. Conclusion: While the cross-sectional design precludes causal conclusions, study findings--especially those related to CSA--are consistent with previous research on predominantly heterosexual women in the general population. Lesbians who experienced CSA were at heightened risk of lifetime alcohol abuse and those who experienced CPA were at heightened risk of lifetime psychological distress relative to lesbians without abuse histories. Given the dearth of research on childhood abuse and sexual orientation, studies are needed that examine the similarities and differences between lesbians' and heterosexual women's experiences of, and responses to, childhood abuse. Keywords: Childhood abuse; Alcohol abuse; Psychological distress; Lesbian; Sexual orientation

The study investigates the cumulative impact of child maltreatment and victimization in adolescence on violent behavior in young adulthood in a nonclinical high-risk sample. The sample consists of 1,526 incarcerated young men (14 to 24 years) who were interviewed with standardized instruments during their prison term. Violent and nonviolent offenders with and without repeated victimization experiences throughout the life cycle were compared. Results show that child maltreatment doubles the risk for violent victimization in adolescence. Repeated victimization experiences in adolescence heighten the risk for later violent offending. This is the case for officially registered violence and self-reported violent behavior. In addition, child maltreatment increased the probability of self-reported violence as well. However, the interaction effect of victimization in childhood and victimization in early adolescence counteracted the main effects. Being repeatedly victimized throughout the early life cycle slightly reduced the probability of being a frequent offender. Keywords: child abuse; victimization; cumulative impact; prisoners

Objective: This retrospective, cross-sectional study explored the hypothesis that multiple forms of child abuse and neglect (child multi-type maltreatment; CMM) would be associated with women's lower social support and higher stress in adulthood, and that this, in turn, would amplify their vulnerability to symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: Participants were 100 women recruited from an inner-city gynecological treatment center for low-income women. Data were analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM) with Lisrel 8.0. Results: CMM was directly predictive of decreased social support and increased stress in adulthood. CMM was also directly predictive of PTSD symptoms, but not depression symptoms in adulthood. Social support partially mediated the relationship between CMM and adult PTSD symptoms, and stress fully mediated the relationship between CMM and adult symptoms of depression. Conclusions: Findings support both direct and mediational effects of social resources on adult depression and PTSD symptoms in women with histories of CMM, suggesting that resources are key factors in psychological adjustment of CMM victims. Keywords: Child multi-type maltreatment; Social support; Stress; Depression; PTSD

Objective: No published studies have examined childhood abuse and neglect in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). This study examined the prevalence and clinical correlates of abuse and neglect in individuals with this disorder. Methods: Seventy-five subjects (69.3% female, mean age = 35.4 [+ or -] 12.0) with DSM-IV BDD completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and were interviewed with other reliable and valid measures. Results: Of these subjects, 78.7% reported a history of childhood maltreatment: emotional neglect (68.0%), emotional abuse (56.0%), physical abuse (34.7%), physical neglect (33.3%), and sexual abuse (28.0%). Forty percent of subjects reported severe maltreatment. Among females (n = 52), severity of reported abuse and neglect were .32-.57 standard deviation units higher than norms for a health maintenance organization (HMO) sample of women. Severity of sexual abuse was the only type of maltreatment significantly associated with current BDD severity (r = .23, p = .047). However, severity of sexual abuse did not predict current BDD severity in a simultaneous multiple regression analysis with age and current treatment status. There were other significant associations with childhood maltreatment: history of attempted suicide was related to emotional (p = .004), physical (p = .014), and sexual abuse (p = .038). Childhood emotional abuse was associated with a lifetime substance use disorder (r = .26, p = .02), and physical abuse was negatively associated with a lifetime mood disorder (r = -.37, p = .001). Conclusions: A high proportion of individuals with BDD reported childhood abuse and neglect. Certain types of abuse and neglect appear modestly associated with BDD symptom severity and with gender, suicidality, and certain disorders. Keywords: Body dysmorphic disorder; Dysmorphophobia; Childhood abuse; Childhood neglect

Objectives: Physical punishment, as a means of disciplining children, may be considered a mild form of childhood adversity. Although many outcomes of physical punishment have been investigated, little attention has been given to the impact of physical punishment on later adult psychopathology. Also, it has been stated that physical punishment by a loving parent is not associated with negative outcomes; however, this theory has not been empirically tested with regard to psychiatric disorders. The main objective of the present study was to investigate three categories of increasing severity of childhood adversity (no physical punishment or abuse, physical punishment only, and child abuse) to examine whether the childhood experience of physical punishment alone was associated with adult psychopathology, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and parental bonding dimensions. Methods: Data were drawn from the nationally representative National Comorbidity Survey (NCS, n = 5,877; age 15-54 years; response rate 82.4%). Binary logistic and multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of experiencing psychiatric disorders. Results: Physical punishment was associated with increased odds of major depression (AOR= 1.22; 95% CI=1.01-1.48), alcohol abuse/dependence (AOR=l.32; 95% CI=1.08-1.61), and externalizing problems (AOR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.05-1.60) in adulthood after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and parental bonding dimensions. Individuals experiencing physical punishment only were at increased odds of adult psychopathology compared to those experiencing no physical punishment/abuse and at decreased odds when compared to those who were abused. Conclusions: Physical punishment is a mild form of childhood adversity that shows an association with adult psychopathology. Keywords: Physical punishment; Child abuse; Psychiatric disorders

Despite the clinical importance of deliberate self-harm, research on the risk factors for self-harm among nonclinical populations has been limited. This study examined the role of childhood maltreatment, emotional inexpressivity, and affect intensity/reactivity in the self-harm behavior of 249 female college students. Childhood maltreatment and low positive affect intensity/reactivity reliably distinguished women with frequent self-harm from women with no history of self-harm, as did the combination of greater maltreatment, greater inexpressivity, and higher levels of affect intensity/reactivity (global and negative). Among women with a history of self-harm, emotional inexpressivity was associated with more frequent self-harm, as was the combination of greater maltreatment, greater inexpressivity, and lower levels of positive affect intensity/reactivity. Keywords: deliberate self-harm, self-injury, serf-mutilation, etiology, risk factors, childhood abuse, childhood maltreatment, emotional responding

Factors involved in the decision making process of child welfare supervisors in domestic violence cases are researched. The attitudes and beliefs of child welfare supervisors about the overlap between domestic violence and child abuse are indicated to be influenced by personal experiences, professional longevity and training.

Objective: Previous research has indicated that women who experience childhood physical abuse or childhood sexual abuse are at increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adult victimization. Recently, peritraumatic dissociation (PD) has been suggested as another possible risk factor for PTSD and adult victimization. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of childhood physical and sexual abuse and PD on PTSD and adult victimization. Method: A sample of 467 female college students completed questionnaires about childhood and adult sexual and physical abuse experiences, PD, and PTSD symptoms. Results: The combined sexual and physical abuse (CA) and sexual abuse only (SA) groups reported significantly higher numbers of PTSD symptoms than the physical abuse only (PA) and no abuse (NA) groups. The CA and PA groups reported significantly more adult sexual and physical victimization than the SA and NA groups. Across all four groups, higher levels of PD were associated with higher levels of PTSD and adult sexual and physical victimization. Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that different types of childhood abuse n-lay lead to different adult problems. The results also indicated that PD may have a broad effect on PTSD development and adult victimization. Keywords: Sexual abuse; Physical abuse: Peritraumatic dissociation; Posttraumatic stress disorder

The well-documented finding that child physical maltreatment predicts later antisocial behavior has at least 2 explanations: (a) Physical maltreatment causes antisocial behavior, and (b) genetic factors transmitted from parents to children influence the likelihood that parents will be abusive and that children will engage in antisocial behavior. The authors tested these hypotheses in the representative Environmental-Risk cohort of 1,116 twin pairs and their families, who were assessed when the twins were 5 and 7 years old. Mothers reported on children's experience of physical maltreatment, and mothers and teachers reported on children's antisocial behavior. The findings support the hypothesis that physical maltreatment plays a causal role in the development of children's antisocial behavior and that preventing maltreatment can prevent its violent sequelae.

Background: Abuse and neglect have been shown to influence the mental and physical health of children; however, few studies have examined whether childhood victimization leads to an increased risk of early death. Purpose: This paper compares mortality data and examines cause of death for a sample of 908 abused and/or neglected individuals and 667 matched controls who were followed up into young adulthood. Methods: Using data from a prospective cohort design study, a large group of children with substantiated cases of abuse (physical and sexual) and/or neglect approximately 25 years ago were matched with a control group of children and both groups were followed up into adulthood. The National Death Index was searched twice and official death certificates were collected for most individuals who had died. Results: Surprisingly, there were no significant differences in rates of mortality for the two groups (abuse and neglect = 3.5%, controls=3.0%). Furthermore, victims of child abuse and neglect were not more likely to experience a violent death. Conclusions: Our results do not provide support for a heightened rate of early death in abused and neglected children followed up into young adulthood. Limitations of the study are discussed as well as potential reasons for these unexpected findings. Keywords: Childhood victimization; Risk; Early death

Different forms of aggression were measured in 296 young men and women participating in a study dating from their childhood that included families with marital violence. The youth reported on their perpetration of physical aggression with same-sex peers, dating partners, and parents. Measures were also collected on youth depression and empathy. Childhood exposure to marital violence predicted aggression toward peers for all youth. Marital violence was also related to child-to-parent aggression but only for youth older than 18. Youth from maritally violent homes were more likely to be depressed as adolescents. Elevated depression partially mediated the impact of marital violence on peer aggression and was associated with dating aggression among girls. Although marital violence in childhood was unrelated to empathy scores in adolescence, empathic youth were less likely to engage in dating aggression and peer aggression. Findings indicate that further emphasis should be placed on mental health problems and empathy building in youth exposed to marital violence. Keywords: child abuse; marital violence; family violence; antisocial aggression; children of battered women

Two studies were conducted to investigate whether ambiguous evidence of child abuse would lead undergraduate students to be more suspicious of stepfathers than of fathers. In Study 1, students responded to a written vignette in which a 15 year old girl mentions to a high school counsellor that her stepfather (or father) likes to tickle her unexpectedly at home. Imagining themselves as the counsellor at the girl's school, students rated the stepfather's behaviour as more suspicious than the same behaviour by a father. In addition, the tickling of the 15 year old girl was more likely to be regarded as inappropriate, disrespectful, unwanted, or possibly abusive when it was done by a stepfather rather than by a father. In Study 2, students responded to a written vignette describing a young boy's visit to a hospital after twisting his ankle and hitting his head in a soccer game. During the examination, bruises are revealed on the boy's back and arms, which the boy says he got playing soccer. Imagining themselves as the doctor at the hospital, students were no more likely to be suspicious of the bruises when the boy was believed to be from a stepfather family than from a biological family. It may be that the stereotype of stepfathers as being sexually abusive is stronger than the stereotype of stepfathers as being physically abusive. The possible implications of these results are discussed. KEYWORDS. Divorce, stepfamilies, stepfathers