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Okur P, Pereda N, Van Der Knaap LM, Bogaerts S. Attributions of Blame among Victims of Child Sexual Abuse: Findings from a Community Sample. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2019; 28:301-317. [PMID: 30475674 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2018.1546249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
According to the attribution theory, negative outcomes of child sexual abuse (CSA) are thought to vary depending on whether CSA victims attribute the abuse to internal or external factors, respectively, self-blame and perpetrator-blame. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify abuse characteristics and attitudes that influence blame attributions among CSA victims from a community sample. Data from respondents with a history of CSA (N = 1,496) have been used in predicting blame attributions; perpetrator-blame, self-blame, or both. Results from a multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that attitudes toward gender roles had a significant effect on blame: victims were more likely to blame themselves when they endorsed more conservative gender attitudes than victims with more liberal attitudes. Implications for this finding are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Okur
- a Tilburg University , Tilburg , The Netherlands
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Ahern EC, Stolzenberg SN, McWilliams K, Lyon TD. The Effects of Secret Instructions and Yes/no Questions on Maltreated and Non-maltreated Children's Reports of a Minor Transgression. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2016; 34:784-802. [PMID: 28229484 PMCID: PMC6336110 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of secret instructions (distinguishing between good/bad secrets and encouraging disclosure of bad secrets) and yes/no questions (DID: "Did the toy break?" versus DYR: "Do you remember if the toy broke?") on 262 maltreated and non-maltreated children's (age range 4-9 years) reports of a minor transgression. Over two-thirds of children failed to disclose the transgression in response to free recall (invitations and cued invitations). The secret instruction increased disclosures early in free recall, but was not superior to no instruction when combined with cued invitations. Yes/no questions specifically asking about the transgression elicited disclosures from almost half of the children who had not previously disclosed, and false alarms were rare. DYR questions led to ambiguous responding among a substantial percentage of children, particularly younger children. The findings highlight the difficulties of eliciting transgression disclosures without direct questions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kelly McWilliams
- Correspondence to: Dr. Kelly McWilliams, Gould School of Law, University of Southern California, 699 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071.
| | - Thomas D. Lyon
- Gould School of Law, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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Malloy LC, Mugno AP. Children's recantation of adult wrongdoing: An experimental investigation. J Exp Child Psychol 2016; 145:11-21. [PMID: 26771375 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Child maltreatment cases often hinge on a child's word versus a defendant's word, making children's disclosures crucially important. There is considerable debate concerning why children recant allegations, and it is imperative to examine recantation experimentally. The purpose of this laboratory analogue investigation was to test (a) how often children recant true allegations of an adult's wrongdoing after disclosing and (b) whether children's age and caregiver supportiveness predict recantation. During an interactive event, 6- to 9-year-olds witnessed an experimenter break a puppet and were asked to keep the transgression a secret. Children were then interviewed to elicit a disclosure of the transgression. Mothers were randomly assigned to react supportively or unsupportively to this disclosure, and children were interviewed again. We coded children's recantations (explicit denials of the broken puppet after disclosing) and changes in their forthcomingness (shifts from denial or claims of lack of knowledge/memory to disclosure and vice versa) in free recall and in response to focused questions about the transgression. Overall, 23.3% of the children recanted their prior disclosures (46% and 0% in the unsupportive and supportive conditions, respectively). No age differences in recantation rates emerged, but 8- and 9-year-olds were more likely than 6- and 7-year-olds to maintain their recantation throughout Interview 2. Children whose mothers reacted supportively to disclosure became more forthcoming in Interview 2, and those whose mothers reacted unsupportively became less forthcoming. Results advance theoretical understanding of how children disclose negative experiences, including sociomotivational influences on their reports, and have practical implications for the legal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay C Malloy
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Allison P Mugno
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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Wang MT, Kenny S. Longitudinal links between fathers' and mothers' harsh verbal discipline and adolescents' conduct problems and depressive symptoms. Child Dev 2014; 85:908-923. [PMID: 24001259 PMCID: PMC3875601 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This study used cross-lagged modeling to examine reciprocal relations between maternal and paternal harsh verbal discipline and adolescents' conduct problems and depressive symptoms. Data were from a sample of 976 two-parent families and their children (51% males; 54% European American, 40% African American). Mothers' and fathers' harsh verbal discipline at age 13 predicted an increase in adolescent conduct problems and depressive symptoms between ages 13 and 14. A child effect was also present, with adolescent misconduct at age 13 predicting increases in mothers' and fathers' harsh verbal discipline between ages 13 and 14. Furthermore, maternal and paternal warmth did not moderate the longitudinal associations between mothers' and fathers' use of harsh verbal discipline and adolescent conduct problems and depressive symptoms.
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Lyon TD, Wandrey L, Ahern E, Licht R, Sim MPY, Quas JA. Eliciting maltreated and nonmaltreated children's transgression disclosures: narrative practice rapport building and a putative confession. Child Dev 2014; 85:1756-69. [PMID: 24467688 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study tested the effects of narrative practice rapport building (asking open-ended questions about a neutral event) and a putative confession (telling the child an adult "told me everything that happened and he wants you to tell the truth") on 4- to 9-year-old maltreated and nonmaltreated children's reports of an interaction with a stranger who asked them to keep toy breakage a secret (n = 264). Only one third of children who received no interview manipulations disclosed breakage; in response to a putative confession, one half disclosed. Narrative practice rapport building did not affect the likelihood of disclosure. Maltreated children and nonmaltreated children responded similarly to the manipulations. Neither narrative practice rapport building nor a putative confession increased false reports.
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Huh HJ, Kim SY, Yu JJ, Chae JH. Childhood trauma and adult interpersonal relationship problems in patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2014; 13:26. [PMID: 25648979 PMCID: PMC4304140 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-014-0026-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although a plethora of studies have delineated the relationship between childhood trauma and onset, symptom severity, and course of depression and anxiety disorders, there has been little evidence that childhood trauma may lead to interpersonal problems among adult patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Given the lack of prior research in this area, we aimed to investigate characteristics of interpersonal problems in adult patients who had suffered various types of abuse and neglect in childhood. METHODS A total of 325 outpatients diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders completed questionnaires on socio-demographic variables, different forms of childhood trauma, and current interpersonal problems. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used to measure five different forms of childhood trauma (emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, physical neglect, and sexual abuse) and the short form of the Korean-Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex Scale (KIIP-SC) was used to assess current interpersonal problems. We dichotomized patients into two groups (abused and non-abused groups) based on CTQ score and investigated the relationship of five different types of childhood trauma and interpersonal problems in adult patients with depression and anxiety disorders using multiple regression analysis. RESULT Different types of childhood abuse and neglect appeared to have a significant influence on distinct symptom dimensions such as depression, state-trait anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity. In the final regression model, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse during childhood were significantly associated with general interpersonal distress and several specific areas of interpersonal problems in adulthood. No association was found between childhood physical neglect and current general interpersonal distress. CONCLUSION Childhood emotional trauma has more influence on interpersonal problems in adult patients with depression and anxiety disorders than childhood physical trauma. A history of childhood physical abuse is related to dominant interpersonal patterns rather than submissive interpersonal patterns in adulthood. These findings provide preliminary evidence that childhood trauma might substantially contribute to interpersonal problems in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyu Jung Huh
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-Gu 137-701, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Young Kim
- Laboratory of Emotion, Catholic Institute of Medical Science and Biolife Industry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Jin Yu
- Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Jeong-Ho Chae
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpodaero, Seocho-Gu 137-701, Seoul, Republic of Korea ; Laboratory of Emotion, Catholic Institute of Medical Science and Biolife Industry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Flåm AM, Haugstvedt E. Test balloons? Small signs of big events: a qualitative study on circumstances facilitating adults' awareness of children's first signs of sexual abuse. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2013; 37:633-642. [PMID: 23899535 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2012] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This research examined caregivers' awareness of children's first signs of sexual abuse. The aim was to explore circumstances that facilitate adults' awareness of first signs in everyday natural settings. Data were obtained from a Norwegian university hospital's outpatient specialty mental health clinic. Included were all cases (N=20) referred during a two-year period for treatment after the disclosure of sexual abuse that was reported to the police and child protective service. Nonabusing caregivers' awareness of first signs were recollected in hindsight as part of therapy. Qualitative analysis was conducted to capture caregivers' experiences. As identified by caregivers, all children gave signs. Thereafter, children either stopped, delayed, or immediately disclosed sexual abuse. At first signs, each child had time and attention from trusted adults, connection to the abuser, and exhibited signs of reservation against that person or related activities. Then, if met with closed answers, first signs were rebuffed as once-occurring events. If met with open answers and follow-up questions, children continued to tell. Unambiguous messages were prompted only in settings with intimate bodily activity or sexual abuse related content. In sum, when trusted adults provided door-openings, children used them; when carefully prompted, children talked; when thoughtfully asked, children told. The study suggests that children's signs of sexual abuse can be understood as "test balloons" to explore understanding and whether anything is to be done. A disclosing continuation hinges on the trusted adult's dialogical attunement and supplementary door-openings. Divergent from an idea of behavioural markers, or purposeful versus accidental disclosures, this study calls for a broader attention: Moments of first signs are embedded in dialogue. A uniqueness at moments of first signs appears: Both to form such moments and to transform them into moments of meeting for joint exploration and telling, hinge upon how trusted caregivers scaffold opportunities for the child to disclose. Subsequently, support offers need to be addressed not only to strengthen children to tell, but also for caregivers and professionals to take into account the necessity of a dialogically oriented sensitivity towards children, both for telling to occur and for hearing to take place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Margrete Flåm
- University Hospital of Northern Norway, Outpatient Specialty Mental Health Service for Children and Adolescents, Post Box 19, UNN, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway
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Katz C, Hershkowitz I, Malloy LC, Lamb ME, Atabaki A, Spindler S. Non-verbal behavior of children who disclose or do not disclose child abuse in investigative interviews. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2012; 36:12-20. [PMID: 22265935 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2010] [Revised: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study focused on children's nonverbal behavior in investigative interviews exploring suspicions of child abuse. The key aims were to determine whether non-verbal behavior in the pre-substantive phases of the interview predicted whether or not children would disclose the alleged abuse later in the interview and to identify differences in the nonverbal behaviors of disclosing and non-disclosing children. METHOD We studied DVD-recorded interviews of 40 alleged victims of child abuse. In all cases, there was external evidence strongly suggesting that abuse had occurred. However, half of the children disclosed abuse when interviewed using the NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol, whereas the other half did not. Two raters, unaware whether or not the children disclosed, independently coded the videotapes for nonverbal indices of positive and negative emotions, stress, and physical disengagement in each 15-second unit of the introductory, rapport building, and substantive interview phases. RESULTS Indicators of stress and physical disengagement increased as the interviews progressed while indices of positive emotions decreased. Non-disclosers showed proportionately more physical disengagement than disclosers in both the introductory and substantive phases. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of non-verbal behavior may help investigators identify reluctant children early in forensic interviews. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS There is substantial evidence that, when questioned by investigators, many children do not disclose that they have been abused. The early detection of reluctance to disclose may allow interviewers to alter their behavior, helping the children overcome their reluctance by providing non-suggestive support before the possibility of abuse is discussed. Of course, nonverbal behavior alone should not be used to assess children in investigative interviews. However, nonverbal cues may nonetheless provide additional information to interviewers and assist them in identifying reluctant children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmit Katz
- Division of Social and Developmental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Donovan KL, Brassard MR. Trajectories of maternal verbal aggression across the middle school years: associations with negative view of self and social problems. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2011; 35:814-830. [PMID: 22018517 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2010] [Revised: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary research objective was to explore the relationship between trajectories of maternal verbal aggression (VA) experienced by low-income, community middle school students across a three-year period and outcomes that have been found to be related to VA in previous work, including a negative view of self and social problems. METHOD Longitudinal data were collected from 421 youth (51.8% male) attending two middle schools over 3 years using a multiple-informant survey design. K-means cluster analysis was used to identify trajectories of VA using youth ratings of the Conflict Tactics Scale: Parent-Child (Straus, Hamby, Finkelhor, Moore, & Runyan, 1998). Dependent variables were self-reported depression, self-esteem, delinquency, and peer victimization as well as peer-rated aggression and sensitive-isolated reputation. RESULTS Four trajectory groups of VA were identified: Low Stable, Increasing, Decreasing, and High Stable. The 3-year average occurrence of VA was: 1.31, 9.18, 10.24, and 31.14 instances, respectively. Gender-specific MANOVAs revealed dramatic differences between the High Stable and Low Stable groups. High Stable boys reported significantly more depressive symptoms, delinquency, peer overt and relational victimization, and were less likely to have a sensitive/isolated reputation than Low Stable boys. High Stable girls reported significantly more depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, delinquency, peer overt and relational victimization and were rated by peers as having more aggressive/disruptive and relationally aggressive reputations than Low Stable girls. Girls in the High Stable group were more likely than other youth to report levels of depressive symptoms and delinquency >1 SD above the mean, while boys in the High Stable group were more likely to report levels of delinquency >1 SD above the mean. The Increasing and Decreasing groups also demonstrated significantly poorer functioning than the Low Stable group on most outcomes. Growth curve analysis revealed that VA showed a contemporaneous association with self-reported delinquency suggesting these factors are closely related. CONCLUSIONS Any level of VA greater than the 1-2 instances per year reported by youth in the Low Stable group was associated with less favorable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kera L Donovan
- Teachers College, Columbia University, United States, USA
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de Zoysa P, Newcombe PA, Rajapakse L. Outcomes of parental use of psychological aggression on children: a structural model from Sri Lanka. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2010; 25:1542-1560. [PMID: 20056817 DOI: 10.1177/0886260509354582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the existence and, if so, the nature of the association between parental use of psychological aggression and psychological maladjustment in a 12-year-old Sri Lankan school population. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 1,226 children from Colombo district schools. Three instruments, validated in the Sri Lankan context, were used to collect data on children's experience of psychological aggression, its psychological outcomes, and psychosocial correlates. The annual prevalence of psychological aggression reported by the study sample was 75%. A predictive model for psychological outcomes was examined. The experience of psychological aggression was shown to be moderately, but directly and significantly, associated with psychological maladjustment in children. This association was mediated by non-parentto-child violence-the child's knowledge of violence between the parents, experience of teacher violence, exposure to peer violence, and violence in the child's community. However, the child's report of a nurturant parent-child relationship did not impact on the association between psychological aggression and psychological maladjustment. The study also indicated that greater the child's experience of non-parent-to-child violence, the greater is his/her own level of hostility and aggression. These findings show that although many Sri Lankan parents use psychological aggression it has negative consequences for their children.
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Taber SM. The veridicality of children's reports of parenting: a review of factors contributing to parent-child discrepancies. Clin Psychol Rev 2010; 30:999-1010. [PMID: 20655135 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 06/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Child informants routinely participate in forensic and social service investigations and are often a critical source of information. However, across research domains high levels of discrepancy between parents' reports and children's reports have been documented, which has led researchers to question children's abilities to provide accurate information about others' behavior. To date research examining parent-child discrepancies has focused on discrepancies in reports of child behavior. The aim of the present review is to examine children's abilities to provide veridical accounts of parental behaviors, drawing on developmental and clinical research to delineate factors likely to enhance or impede accuracy. Among the factors examined, age appears to have the strongest influence on the accuracy of children's reports in general. A clear distinction also emerged in the literature between children's abilities to report objective data versus information regarding abstract concepts. Although available evidence provides mixed support for the veridicality of children's reports of parenting, factors that influence children's accuracy have generally been overlooked. Namely, researchers have largely failed to discriminate between assessment of child-rearing behaviors and children's perceptions of those behaviors. The present review proposes that such failure likely accounts for a notable portion of parent-child discrepancies in reports of parenting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Taber
- The University of Iowa, E11 Seashore Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Herrenkohl RC, Herrenkohl TI. Assessing a child's experience of multiple maltreatment types: Some unfinished business. JOURNAL OF FAMILY VIOLENCE 2009; 24:485. [PMID: 20161642 PMCID: PMC2818150 DOI: 10.1007/s10896-009-9247-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roy C Herrenkohl
- Center for Social Research, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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Drapeau M, Perry JC. Childhood trauma and adult interpersonal functioning: a study using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method (CCRT). CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2004; 28:1049-1066. [PMID: 15519435 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2003] [Revised: 03/27/2004] [Accepted: 05/22/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the long-term correlates of childhood trauma in regard to interpersonal functioning in adulthood. METHOD One hundred and nineteen (N=119) subjects from the Austen Riggs Follow-along Study were included in the study. The Traumatic Antecedent Interview scoring method was used to assess 10 types of childhood trauma. Two additional positive variables were also assessed. Interpersonal patterns in adulthood were assessed using the Core Conflictual Relationship Theme Method. RESULTS Subjects reporting childhood physical abuse had a higher prevalence of the wish to be hurt, and experienced others as strict and stern. Those reporting physical neglect had a higher prevalence of the need to be comforted. Subjects who had experienced significant separations during childhood later felt less self-confident in interpersonal situations. Results also showed that subjects who had access to a caretaker/confidant had less need for love. A number of additional findings were nominally significant but did not remain so after correction for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that internalized thoughts and affects regarding childhood traumatic events may still play a role long after the time period of the events. Results also suggest that a continuous measurement approach to the study of traumata may provide information not captured by a dichotomous approach.
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Quas JA, Goodman GS, Jones D. Predictors of attributions of self-blame and internalizing behavior problems in sexually abused children. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2003; 44:723-36. [PMID: 12831116 DOI: 10.1111/1469-7610.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to identify predictors of two potential sequelae of child sexual abuse, self-blame attributions and internalizing behavior problems. METHODS In the study, detailed information was collected on 218 victims of sexual abuse aged 4 to 17, involved in criminal cases, about their background, the abuse, and their mother's reaction following discovery of the abuse. RESULTS Increased attributions of self-blame were predicted by the child having a close relationship with the perpetrator, experiencing severe sexual abuse (e.g., long-lasting abuse that involved penetration), perceiving the abuse as disgusting, and coping with the abuse by pretending it was not happening. Similar factors did not emerge as predictors of internalizing behavior problems. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that different child and abuse characteristics predict the two sequelae often associated with childhood sexual abuse. Thus, although self-blame attributions and behavior problems are often considered similar consequences of sexual abuse, there appears a need to distinguish the two types of outcomes following sexual victimization in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi A Quas
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavoir, University of California, Irvine 92697-7085, USA.
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Abstract
Self-disclosure by victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) is critical to initiate legal and therapeutic intervention. Unfortunately, research indicates that lengthy delays in disclosure and even nondisclosure are common. A comprehensive review of the clinical and research literature on CSA and an overview of related bodies of literature was conducted. Areas addressed include the context of sexual abuse as it relates to disclosure, the context and elements of children's disclosures, motivational factors inhibiting disclosure, and models of the disclosure process. Ancillary and analogue research on secrecy and disclosure are also reviewed. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary L Paine
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA
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Sagy S, Dotan N. Coping resources of maltreated children in the family: a salutogenic approach. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2001; 25:1463-1480. [PMID: 11766011 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2134(01)00285-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most research in child maltreatment within family focuses mainly on the pathological damage caused to the battered child. This study, based on a salutogenic approach, focuses on the resources that may help maltreated children to cope with their state and stay well. METHOD Resilience was measured by two variables: perceived competence and psychological distress. The moderating or buffering variables that may contribute to better coping were: sense of family coherence, psychological sense of school membership, and social support. Two hundred and twenty-six 8th graders answered an anonymous self-report inventory. Based on the students' answers, they were divided into two groups: those who reported that they had been maltreated (MC) (n = 81) and those who did not (NMC) (n = 145). RESULTS The study revealed a significantly high percentage of adolescents (35.6%) who reported having been maltreated within their families. A significant difference was found between the MC and the NMC in levels of perceived competence (higher for the NMC) and psychological distress (higher for the MC group). The moderating variables were found to have a differential effect on the dependent variables within the two groups. Sense of family coherence was found to be the main contributor to variance explanation of perceived competence among the MC, while sense of school membership had the main effect among NMC. CONCLUSIONS The findings support a salutogenic approach in studying maltreated children. Implications on the possible detection of maltreated children in the community and on their coping resources that may contribute to resilience are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sagy
- Department of Education, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Hoefnagels C, Zwikker M. The Bystander Dilemma and Child Abuse: Extending the Latane and Darley Model to Domestic Violence1. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2001. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2001.tb02668.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
In an examination of the prevalence and effects of childhood trauma among college freshmen, as expected, the majority of 515 youth reported at least one traumatic experience in childhood. When fear of death or serious injury accompanies a traumatic event, posttraumatic symptoms may be more likely. As hypothesized, scores on the Reaction Index by Frederick were elevated for subjects who reported trauma with concurrent fear. The combination of trauma and fear was also associated with elevated scores on trait anxiety. While most adolescents do not develop mental illness following single traumatic events, many may be made more vulnerable to the psychogenic effects of future trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Daugherty
- Psychology Department, Valparaiso University, IN 46383, USA.
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DAUGHERTY TIMOTHYK. CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND CURRENT ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGE MEN. Psychol Rep 1998. [DOI: 10.2466/pr0.83.6.667-673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Nicholas KB, Bieber SL. Parental abusive versus supportive behaviors and their relation to hostility and aggression in young adults. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 1996; 20:1195-1211. [PMID: 8985610 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2134(96)00115-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The relation of parental support to abuse has rarely been considered in research on the sequelae of childhood abuse in adulthood. In this study, using the Exposure to Abusive and Supportive Environments Parenting Inventory (EASE-PI), young adults who reported higher emotionally abusive parenting (EA) consistently reported significantly lower love and support from both parents. The relation between physically abusive parenting (PA) and love/support depended upon gender of parent and child. EA was significantly related to higher hostility and higher aggression, as measured by the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, for both men and women, and to reports of physical fights within the family, for women only. PA was significantly related to higher aggression but not higher hostility. Lower support by fathers, but not by mothers, was significantly related to higher hostility. However, lower support of daughters by mothers was significantly related to increased physical fights in the family. Results indicate that less severe abusive behaviors, especially EA, may have detrimental outcomes of hostility and aggression and that supportive behaviors by both mothers and fathers may be important factors in the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Nicholas
- Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, USA
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McGee RA, Wolfe DA, Yuen SA, Wilson SK, Carnochan J. The measurement of maltreatment: a comparison of approaches. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 1995; 19:233-249. [PMID: 7780784 DOI: 10.1016/0145-2134(94)00119-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the comparability and predictive validity of three approaches to the measurement of child maltreatment. Adolescents (N = 160, aged 11-17) were randomly selected from the open caseload of a child protection agency. Global ratings of maltreatment severity were made by three reporting sources: researchers on the basis of protection agency case files, protection agency social workers, and the adolescents themselves. Ratings were made of five types of maltreatment: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, and exposure to family violence. Self-reported (YSR) and caretaker-reported (CBCL) adjustment measures were also obtained for each subject. Results indicated that over 90% of the sample had experienced more than one type of maltreatment. Comparison of ratings across sources indicated considerable disagreement with respect to judgments of maltreatment occurrence and severity. Relative to professional ratings, adolescent ratings were better predictors of externalizing and internalizing symptomatology in both univariate and multivariate analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A McGee
- University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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23
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Segal UA, Ashtekar A. Detection of intrafamilial child abuse: children at intake at a children's observation home in India. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 1994; 18:957-967. [PMID: 7850604 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2134(05)80006-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Cross-cultural studies have brought awareness that child abuse is a global problem. This study sought to assess whether the abuse of children by caregivers/parents is a phenomenon that is prevalent in Indian society, where social workers and other human service professionals traditionally have not been sensitive to its occurrence. Interviews with 515 children brought to a Children's Observation Home in Bombary resulted in self-reports of physical violence from approximately 50% of the sample, and of these, over two-thirds reported the use of abusive violence. In addition, over 60% of the children who had run away from home cited violence by parents as the primary reason for their leaving, suggesting that this may be one of the variables adding to the numbers of street children in India. Feelings about perpetrators and implications of findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- U A Segal
- Department of Social Work, University of Missouri-St. Louis 63121
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Prino CT, Peyrot M. The effect of child physical abuse and neglect on aggressive, withdrawn, and prosocial behavior. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 1994; 18:871-884. [PMID: 7804894 DOI: 10.1016/0145-2134(94)90066-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated aggressive, withdrawn, and prosocial behavior in physically abused (N = 21), nonabused-neglected (N = 26), and nonabused-nonneglected (N = 21) children aged 5 to 8 years. Multiple assessment techniques were used, specifically the Human Figure and Kinetic Group Drawings, children's verbal stories, and teacher ratings on the Pittsburgh Adjustment Survey Scales. All measurement techniques were able to discriminate among the three groups. Physically abused children displayed significantly more aggressive behavior than the neglected and nonmaltreated; neglected children were significantly more withdrawn than the physically abused and nonmaltreated; nonmaltreated children exhibited significantly more prosocial behavior than the abused and neglected. No single dimension adequately discriminated each of the three groups. Full discrimination was achieved only when aggressive, withdrawn, and prosocial behavior were combined in a multivariate analysis, indicating that effects of maltreatment must be viewed as multidimensional.
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Ney PG, Fung T, Wickett AR. The worst combinations of child abuse and neglect. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 1994; 18:705-714. [PMID: 8000901 DOI: 10.1016/0145-2134(94)00037-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We have studied the impact of various kinds of abuse and neglect on the child's perception of himself and his future. We found, when considering physical abuse, physical neglect, verbal abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse, that less than 5% of these mistreatments occurred in isolation. Since the vast majority of mistreated children are subject to more than one kind of abuse or neglect, it was important to delineate which combinations have the greatest effect. We found that a combination of physical neglect, physical abuse, and verbal abuse had the greatest impact on children, affecting such things as their enjoyment of living and hopes for the future. An early age of onset for verbal abuse and emotional neglect was significantly associated with greater severity and frequency of mistreatment. Neglect appears to be a precursor to abuse in many cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Ney
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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26
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Kemper KJ, Carlin AS, Buntain-Ricklefs J. Screening for maternal experiences of physical abuse during childhood. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 1994; 33:333-9. [PMID: 8200166 DOI: 10.1177/000992289403300604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Because a parental history of abuse during childhood is a documented risk factor for child abuse, pediatricians have been urged to assess parents' childhood discipline experiences. A brief set of questions was developed to detect a maternal history of childhood physical abuse that could be incorporated into a comprehensive psychosocial screening questionnaire. A criterion-based definition was used as the measure for physical abuse. In phase I, four screening questions were developed in a cross-sectional survey of 284 middle-class women attending a family medicine clinic, of whom 32% met the criteria definition for physical abuse. In phase II, the screening questions were tested in 428 mothers seen in Salt Lake City- and Seattle-area pediatric clinics. The four screening questions had a sensitivity of > 90%, a specificity of > 85%, a positive predictive value of > 75%, and a negative predictive value of > or = 90%--as compared with the criteria-based definition in both pediatric settings. These four screening questions compared favorably to a criteria-based definition of physical abuse during childhood and may be useful additions to psychosocial questionnaires.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Kemper
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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Abstract
A survey of women patients in the practices of family physicians in Victoria, B.C. was undertaken to determine the factors associated with pregnancy losses and their effect on women's health. Questionnaires returned by 1428 women with 2961 pregnancies showed that a higher number of losses, particularly abortions, correlates both with poor health and the need to obtain professional help in dealing with the loss(es). Partner support appears to be one of the most important factors in maintaining a pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Ney
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada
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Muller RT, Caldwell RA, Hunter JE. Child provocativeness and gender as factors contributing to the blaming of victims of physical child abuse. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 1993; 17:249-260. [PMID: 8472177 DOI: 10.1016/0145-2134(93)90044-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This study was an investigation of factors contributing to blame attributions directed toward victims of physical child abuse. The total sample consisted of 897 college undergraduates. Subjects read eight vignettes describing physically abusive parent-child interactions, and indicated their attributions of responsibility toward parent and child. We predicted that: (a) aggressively provocative children (compared to nonprovocative) would be ascribed greater blame; (b) male subjects would be more likely to blame the child; (c) in situations in which the abusive parent is male (compared to female), the child would be blamed more; and (d) male children (compared to females) would receive greater blame. The results supported all hypotheses. The data also suggested several interaction effects. Significance tests were supplemented with effect size analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Muller
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114
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Ney PG, Fung T, Wickett AR. Causes of child abuse and neglect. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 1992; 37:401-5. [PMID: 1394016 DOI: 10.1177/070674379203700609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This paper is a study of child abuse and neglect from the perspective of the child. Generally, the mistreatment of children was associated with "poor care" from parents, attributed mainly to immaturity, marital problems, alcohol abuse, unemployment, drug abuse and lack of money. Differences in attribution are noted between males and females, and some differences are noted by the age of the child. When factors other than the causes given by the children were taken into account, mistreatment was significantly related to family break-up, as well as long-term disinterest and lack of affection from the parents. When the children were asked for their "worst experience in life," the most common responses were "abuse" "family break-up," and for the juvenile offenders "getting charged with a crime."
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Ney
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
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Gauthier MC, Saucier JF. [Preliminary study of early sexual abuse]. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 1991; 36:422-7. [PMID: 1933745 DOI: 10.1177/070674379103600607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The long term effects of sexual abuse are often measured by measuring behaviours such as social adjustment, job stability and marriage. This study was conducted to add to these internal measures. Using a semi-prospective instrument adapted from G. Kelly's repertory grid, the adolescents' perceptions of themselves and significant others are measured. Three hundred and twelve female adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 (average age = 16) participated in the study; 79 presented with non sexual behaviour disorders (delinquency, stealing, etc.), 56 presented with serious sexual behaviour disorders (prostitution, persistent sexual promiscuity) and 177 presented with no problems requiring psychosocial intervention. Various analyses (descriptive, multiple variance, regression analysis) showed that sexual abuse significantly affects many of the adolescents' perceptions. Sexually abused adolescents perceived their two real parents as less competent and their ideal mother and father as less protective than adolescents who had not been abused. In contrast, their perception of self and the ideal self was not affected by the sexual abuse, a finding which will spark discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Gauthier
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec, à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal
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Shapiro JP. Self-Blame Versus Helplessness in Sexually Abused Children: An Attributional Analysis with Treatment Recommendations. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 1989. [DOI: 10.1521/jscp.1989.8.4.442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Ney PG. Child mistreatment: possible reasons for its transgenerational transmission. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 1989; 34:594-601. [PMID: 2670182 DOI: 10.1177/070674378903400619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
One of the most tragic aspects of child abuse and neglect is that it is so often perpetuated from one generation to another. The reasons that humans do not learn from their tragic past and repeat it have been considered by historians, philosophers, psychiatrists and many others. This article mentions some of the hypotheses that have been put forward to explain the repetition of history. It attempts to establish an alternate hypothesis to explain how and why mistreated children become the perpetrators in the next generation. It suggests that abuse, or neglect requires the participation of a perpetrator, victim and observer. A triquetra of these three rotates with time and circumstance. The recycling of abuse occurs because the individual, at all levels of his being, is attempting to understand the conflicts and consequent disequilibrium that were engendered within him with his early experience. Unfortunately, the re-enactment seldom results in enlightment because there is no one available to comment on the process as it occurs. Psychotherapy for child abuse requires corrective interpretation during a controlled restaging of the major conflicts.
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Working with preschool-aged child abuse victims in group settings. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 1988. [DOI: 10.1007/bf01083864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Ney PG. Does verbal abuse leave deeper scars: a study of children and parents. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 1987; 32:371-8. [PMID: 3651980 DOI: 10.1177/070674378703200509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This study investigating the effects of verbal abuse on children and their abused parents, tends to support the clinical impression that verbal abuse may have a greater impact for a longer period of time. Although there are very few pure forms of verbal abuse, there are some parents who use verbal abuse but would hit their children, neglect them, or involve them in sex. Verbal abuse may become an increasingly frequent form of controlling and disciplining children because of the increased awareness of physical abuse and because of the possible declining value of children. Verbal abuse may have a greater impact because the abused child has greater difficulty defending himself from the attack. Because children tend to identify with their parents, the verbal abuse by their parents becomes a way in which they then abuse themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Ney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Alberta
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