Multi-type maltreatment and the long-term adjustment of adults

Abstract

Multi-type refers to the experience of more than one form of child (sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, neglect and witnessing family violence). Researchers have largely ignored the presence of other types of child abuse and neglect when examining the adjustment problems associated with a particular form of maltreatment. The association between maltreatment and adjustment was explored in the current study. Retrospective data were obtained on (a) the degree to which types co-occurred, (b) childhood family characteristics and (c) adjustment problems in adulthood in an Australian self-selected community sample (N=175). As hypothesized, a large degree of overlap was reported in the experience of the five types of maltreatment. Family characteristics - particularly family cohesion and adaptability - discriminated between respondents reporting single-type and multi-type maltreatment. Greater adjustment problems were associated with reports of a larger number of different types. Multi-type should be recognized as a crucial aspect of the nature and impact of child and considered in the development of programmes for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Child Abuse Review, 2000. Copyright © 2000 by John Wiley and Sons) Child Abuse Victim Child Sexual Abuse Victim Child Victim Childhood Experience Childhood Victimization Child Abuse Effects Sexual Assault Effects Sexual Assault Victim Child Sexual Abuse Effects Psychological Victimization Effects Long-Term Effects Child Physical Abuse Effects Child Physical Abuse Victim Adult Survivor Adult Adjustment Victim Adjustment Emotional Adjustment Child Emotional Abuse Victim Child Emotional Abuse Effects Child Neglect Victim Child Neglect Effects Child Witness Witnessing Spouse Abuse Witnessing Violence Effects Spouse Abuse Effects Partner Violence Violence Against Women Children of Battered Women Interparental Violence 08-00