Child abuse experiences in adolescents with externalizing disorders

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of experiencing childhood abuse on externalizing disorders in a sample of adolescents from Mansoura Adolescents Unit. Patients and methods A total of 300 adolescents were included in the study; of them 100 were diagnosed as having externalizing disorders, whereas the other 200 were control adolescents from the outpatient clinic of Dermatology Department and Pediatric Hospital of Mansura University. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents was used for diagnosis, and a questionnaire on child abuse experiences was administered for assessment of parental abuse (physical and psychological) and sexual abuse. Finally, the modified Global assessment of functioning scale was used to assess the outcome of externalizing disorders. Results Paternal psychological abuse is significantly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (combined type), conduct disorder (CD), and substance use disorders (SUDs), whereas paternal physical abuse is significantly associated with CD and SUDs. Maternal physical abuse is associated with CD and oppositional defiant disorder, whereas maternal psychological abuse and sexual abuse are significantly associated with CD and SUDs. Therefore, paternal physical abuse is considered the only predictor of externalizing disorders. Conclusion This study has implications for the assessment of effect of childhood abuse on externalizing disorders during adolescence. Children physically abused, especially by the father in the sample, appeared to be at a greater risk for externalizing disorders. However, all types of child abuse were associated with externalizing disorders.