Trajectories of Psychopathology According to Continuation or Discontinuation of Child Abuse: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

Eunji Jung,Joung-Sook Ahn,Jaehyun Han,Min-Hyuk Kim

doi:10.3390/ijerph18178968

Abstract

Long-term exposure to childhood abuse and occurrence of mental illness are positively correlated. Using long-term tracking data in Korea, we identified the characteristics of children and adolescents who experienced abuse and impact thereof on their psychopathology. Using the Korea Welfare Panel data, 354 teenagers in grades 4–6 of elementary school participated, were assessed at baseline, and monitored 3 years later. They were categorized into Never, Occurrence, Continuation, and Discontinuation groups according to changes in the abuse experienced. Psychopathology was evaluated using K-CBCL. Childhood abuse experience significantly affected psychopathology. At the baseline, the Continuation and Discontinuation groups had a higher severity of psychopathology than the Never group. Psychopathology at the baseline was associated with whether the patient experienced abuse that year. In the follow-up observation, the risk of psychopathology in the Occurrence and Continuation groups was higher than that in the Never group. The Discontinuation group had decreased psychopathology, which was not clinically significant in the follow-up observation (INT aRR = 2.09; 95% CI 0.61–7.13, EXT aRR = 4.23; 95% CI 1.12–16.07). Stopping abuse in late childhood reduces adolescents’ psychopathology in the long term, meaning they can recover their normal developmental trajectory according to risk groups and provide effective interventions including discontinuation of abuse.

Highlights

Recent neurobiological research has explored the development of the human brain during childhood and adolescence
This study analyzed the relationship between childhood abuse experiences and early adolescents’ psychopathology using representative domestic samples
The group that reported continuous abuse between the baseline and follow-up period demonstrated a high incidence of psychopathology 3 years later compared to the non-abuse groups

Summary

Introduction

Recent neurobiological research has explored the development of the human brain during childhood and adolescence. This is a critical time in neurological development, and experiences of childhood abuse including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect, lead to children and adolescents deviating from their normal developmental trajectories. Children who experience abuse have a high risk of developing externalizing symptoms such as aggression and antisocial behavior in adolescence [1,2]. Abused children are at high risk of developing internalizing symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, and interpersonal problems [3]. Abuse increases psychopathology in childhood and adolescence, which can lead to various mental illnesses in adulthood [4–6]. The risk of persistent and repeated abuse leading to psychopathology is high [7–9].

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Conclusion