Child Neglect Research Articles

Conveying gendered power through bureaucratic websites: A symbolic analysis of mediated child welfare culture

Child welfare organizations work directly with families to intervene in response to community concerns about child abuse and neglect. Other aspects of their services are symbolically conveyed through online presence. This paper explores the mediated culture of state-operated child protective services agencies with a focus on bureaucracy and gendered power. Our findings reveal alignment between mediated cultures that signify rigid, penalty-oriented bureaucratic cultures and those states with the highest substantiated rates of child maltreatment. Similarly, this content analysis indicated alignment between more family-oriented collaborative bureaucratic cultures of online websites for states with the lowest rates of substantiated child maltreatment.

Trends in the Annual Incidence Rates of Child Sexual Abuse and Child Maltreatment over the Past 25 Years in the United States

AbstractExperiencing child sexual abuse is associated with increased risk for a range of short‐ and long‐term negative effects. This short report defines and explores the annual incidence rates of child sexual abuse in the United States over 25 years between 1996 and 2021 (the most recent data released) and, comparatively, annual incidence rates of child maltreatment, more generally. A retrospective trend analysis of Child Maltreatment Reports, produced by the Department of Health and Human Services with data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, was conducted to compile and analyse rates of child sexual abuse and child maltreatment over time. In general, the rates of reported child maltreatment and child sexual abuse have declined, on average, since the 1990s. We, then, discuss these trends in connection with research documenting societal and family factors that may have contributed to these declines.

Health follow-up visits of children with autism

Child health follow-up is the most important of basic health services and should continue at regular intervals until the age of 18 years. Physicians’ child health follow-up examinations present the best opportunity to deliver evidence-based preventive health services, such as monitoring the growth and development of the child, conducting age-appropriate screenings, providing vitamin/mineral support according to age and requirements, administering childhood vaccinations, informing the family about home accidents and nutrition, monitoring the child in terms of child neglect and abuse risks, and raising the awareness of the family in this regard. Child health follow-up should encompass not only children without any health problems but also those with mental, physical, visual, or hearing impairments, or special needs such as those with autism. Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication limitations and repetitive, restricted behaviors. The presence of a child with special needs such as autism can have social, psychological, and economic implications for family members. While there are many difficulties in caring for a healthy child, these difficulties increase exponentially in the care of a child with special needs. Professional assistance is necessary for families to address matters such as monitoring the child’s development, providing nourishment, and administering vaccinations. Children with autism constitute a group that needs to be closely followed up for vitamin-mineral deficiencies and growth retardation due to their higher risk of malnutrition. For these reasons, regular health follow-up of children with autism is essential at regular intervals.

When ‘Discharge Against Medical Advice’ (DAMA) rhymes with potential child neglect: a 10-year analysis in a tertiary care center

Introduction Taking into account parents’ privileged knowledge of their children, clinicians trust them to make the best decisions for their care. However, sometimes, their choices may appear misaligned with the child’s best interest, such as when “Discharge Against Medical Advice” (DAMA) occurs. In some instances, a DAMA will rhyme with a form of child maltreatment. Method This retrospective study analyzes all pediatric cases of DAMA presenting red flags for medical neglect from a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia over 10 years (January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022). The red flags were: 1) being an infant, 2) being vitally or clinically unstable, 3) refusing potential life-saving treatments, 4) presenting signs of physical, sexual, emotional abuse, or neglect, or 5) anticipating long-term consequences to forgo treatments. Data were retrieved from medical records. Results A total of 159 cases were identified with 47.2% females and a median age of 3.6 years. 57.9% were under 5 years. At baseline, 26.4% were medically free, and 73.6% had a significant or chronic illness. The most frequent reason for the encounter was an elective admission (44%). The most frequent red flag for neglect identified during DAMA was being “vitally or clinically unstable” (72.2%). Conclusion Clinicians may feel hesitant to disagree with parental care decisions which may make them worry as it may affect the trust between them. However, children are vulnerable, and all efforts should be made to ensure they get the required care. At times, this involves contacting Child Protection Services.

Examining the Impact and Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect in Nkpor-uno, Anambra State, Nigeria.

This study investigates the prevalence and impact of child abuse and neglect in Nkpor-uno, located in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, highlighting a critical issue with profound lifelong implications. With a focus on understanding the scope of child abuse and neglect within this community, the research adopts a methodological framework guided by the principles of social learning theory. The study's objectives were pursued through the analysis of data collected from a purposively sampled group of 100 parents and caregivers out of a targeted population of 1,000 residents. Utilizing a specially designed structured questionnaire, the study employed quantitative methods, specifically frequency counts, means, and standard deviations, to analyze the collected data. The findings of the research are alarming, indicating a 91% prevalence rate of child abuse and neglect in Nkpor-uno, which underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address this crisis. Based on these results, the study proposes a multifaceted approach to combat child abuse and neglect. It calls for a collaborative effort involving parents, caregivers, educational administrators, healthcare professionals, non-governmental organizations, and governmental bodies. The aim is to foster a supportive environment that not only prevents child abuse and neglect but also ensures the rehabilitation and well-being of affected children. This study contributes to the broader discourse on child welfare and serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to prioritize and address the issue of child abuse and neglect in Nkpor-uno and beyond.

Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Prospective Interventional Study among Schoolteachers from Andhra Pradesh.

To assess the awareness of schoolteachers from Andhra Pradesh towards child abuse and neglect (CAN) through pre- and post-educational intervention (audiovisual aid) questionnaires. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 schoolteachers using a 12-item questionnaire that was created using the standard focus group discussion method. Baseline awareness of CAN was assessed using the questionnaire. Subsequently, all the schoolteachers were educated regarding the various types of CAN and the process of reporting CAN using an audiovisual aid. The same questionnaire was re-administered to all the teachers immediately after the intervention and after three months. The data were statistically analyzed using Fisher's exact test to compare the frequency and distribution of responses among the study participants at various intervals. A statistically significant difference (p value < 0.05) was observed in the awareness of the schoolteachers regarding CAN compared to the baseline and immediately after the intervention. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p value > 0.05) between immediately after the intervention and three months. There is a need to have awareness among schoolteachers concerning CAN. However, after education through audiovisual aids, teachers' awareness of CAN has been improved.

Child and family characteristics in multisystemic therapy for child abuse and neglect (MST-CAN): Are there associations with treatment outcome?

Evidence-based indication for targeted interventions is a central approach in the field of child welfare and psychotherapy. This study explored the characteristics of children and families referred to Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) in Switzerland and their associations with treatment outcomes. We sought to identify subgroups of children and families referred to MST-CAN and understand their specific needs and alignment with the program. We identified five distinct subgroups of children: (a) those characterized by clinically significant "social withdrawal" and "anxiety/depression," (b) with multiple clinically significant emotional and behavioral problems, (c) with predominantly externalizing problems, (d) with no pathological findings at all, with parents who were less stressed and had fewer mental health problems, and (e) with mainly internalizing problems and parents whose mental health problems deteriorated during treatment. Investigating the fit of children and families referred to treatment programs can enhance the understanding of their healthcare needs and enable more individualized interventions.

Mandated reporting policies and the detection of child abuse and neglect

In federal fiscal year 2019, approximately 3 million reports of suspected child abuse or neglect (CAN) met the criteria for an investigation or alternative response. Yet only 656,000 children were found to be victims of CAN. Such a large proportion of unsubstantiated CAN reports may indicate that the child welfare system is using already limited resources on reports that could be avoided with policies that better foster the accurate detection of CAN. Little research exists examining the relationship between mandated reporting policies and reported and substantiated CAN. To address this gap, we explore how five different mandated reporting policies are associated with rates of reporting and odds of substantiation. We utilized data from NCANDS, the SCAN Policies Database, and the U.S. Census. We found mandated reporting policies were not associated with rates of reporting or substantiation. However, the relationship between different policy characteristics and reports and substantiation were moderated by child race/ethnicity and the type of CAN experienced.

Hair toxicological analysis of infants and their mothers: a 5-year retrospective study focusing on cocaine.

Prenatal and infant exposure to drugs of abuse is an emerging social and public health problem affecting children health and which may relate to child abuse and neglect. Exposure to drugs of abuse may occur through different routes, including intrauterine, breastfeeding, accidental intake, passive inhalation, and intentional administration. Currently, cases of suspected exposure can beinvestigated by hair toxicological analysis, the interpretation of which is, however, often difficult, leading to consequent difficulties in the management of such cases. In order to provide a contribution in terms of interpretation of the analytical results, this study aimed to search for the possible existence of elements, from a toxicological point of view, indicative towards the route of exposure. A retrospective study was performed on cases of suspected exposure to drugs of abuse in children aged 0-1 year, evaluated ata University Hospital between 2018 and 2022. Data of children hair toxicological analysis were analyzed and then compared with those of their mothers, when available; 41.6% children tested positive for cocaine. The study found a significant correlation between cocaine and benzoylecgonine concentrations, and a benzoylecgonine/cocaine ratio that tends to decrease as the age of children increases. From the comparison with mothers, a child/mother cocaine concentration ratio lower than 1 was found in all cases of hair sampled within the first week of life, and a ratio greater than or equal to 1 in all cases in which the sampling was performed later. These results, if confirmed in a larger cohort, could represent a contribution in the interpretation of cases of infant exposure to drugs of abuse and be integrated in the context of their multidisciplinary evaluation.

Meeting the training needs of a child-protection workforce: perspectives on professional certificates in understanding, assessing, and responding to childhood trauma

ABSTRACT There is a well-established need to ensure that practitioners who work directly with children and young people impacted by abuse are well-equipped to support them. This need is coupled with a lack of evidence-based practice models and specialized responses to abuse-related trauma within the child protection/family support sectors. This study examines the outcomes of a suite of Professional Certificates that aim to support nonspecialist practitioners in developing their capacity to provide trauma-specific therapeutic interventions to children who have experienced child abuse and neglect. A mixed-methods design including both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis was used to evaluate the impact of the Professional Certificates on participants’ practices and development of competencies applicable to their field of work. Findings suggest that the Professional Certificates may help students develop relevant skills and knowledge applicable to a child protection workforce, and allow them to apply their learning in practice. The results of this study have important implications for the training and development of the child protection workforce. They suggest that interventions such as the Professional Certificates may be an effective way to equip graduates with the requisite skills and knowledge to foster a sense of preparedness in their practice.

Associations between nurse characteristics, institutional characteristics and perceived nurse knowledge and self-efficacy of reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.

To determine the association between nurse and institutional characteristics and perceived professional nurse knowledge and self-efficacy of reporting child abuse and neglect. A sample of N = 166 nurses were recruited to respond to the Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (RSCAN) survey. A multiple linear regression examined whether nurse characteristics and institutional characteristics were associated with the two RSCAN survey domain scores. Perceived knowledge of a workplace child abuse and neglect protocol was associated with the knowledge subscale. Education and child abuse and neglect expertise were significant predictors of the self-efficacy subscale. Nurses with a master's or higher degree and those who identified as being either forensic, paediatric or Emergency Department nurses, had less perceived institutional barriers to self-efficacy of reporting child abuse and neglect. This study provides a preliminary insight into the institutional barriers and facilitators of nurses as child abuse and neglect mandated reporters. To encourage innovative education and collaborations to support nurses as fully informed child abuse and neglect mandated reporters. This research identifies the gaps and facilitators of nurses as child abuse and neglect mandated reporters to inform healthcare professionals and academic institutions on the importance of nurse education and experience in nurse knowledge and self-efficacy in reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. The authors of this study have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines: STROBE. There is no patient or public contribution as the study only looked at nurses.

Caring records: professional insights into child-centered case note recording

The consequences of poorly processed reports of child abuse and neglect, along with governance challenges in child protection systems, are well-documented. Recent research, inquiries and royal commissions emphasise the need for child-centered and participatory practices that support the rights and dignity of children and their families. However, the challenges of quality case recording in child protection systems and contexts remain unclear. This paper reports on the findings from a pilot study that interviewed (n = 22) and surveyed (n = 56) social work students and social work curriculum developers from Australian Universities and practitioners currently working in the Australian child protection service system. By capturing participants' professional insights, we aim to understand the embedded barriers to transforming child-centered systems by focusing on strengths and possibilities in current practices rather than reiterating deficiencies in recordkeeping. This paper reveals insights into how professionals working in the child protection system understand and are supported in child-centered case note recording and recordkeeping practices. It also identifies the possibilities for the crucial role that interdisciplinary collaboration and alignment between social work and recordkeeping informatics can play in transforming and supporting recordkeeping approaches and practices that prioritise and uphold the rights and dignity of the child.

Determination of Elementary Teachers’ Opinions on Child Abuse and Neglect Training Programs Developed According to the Quantum Learning Model

This study was conducted to determine the opinions of elementary teachers about the child abuse and neglect education program developed according to the quantum learning model. This study was carried out with the participation of 20 elementary teachers working in the Yozgat province of Turkey. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used together. Within the scope of the quantitative research, the “In-Service Training Programs Evaluation Scale” developed by Tekin and Yaman in 2008 was used. This scale had two factors and 28 items. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale in the original study was 0.95. Within the scope of the qualitative research, open-ended structured questions were asked to determine the opinions of elementary teachers on child abuse and neglect and the quantum learning model. Descriptive statistics and descriptive analysis were used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the opinions of teachers on the in-service training program were positive; they considered the quantum learning model as a physics-related model that developed the student in all aspects; they did not plan to implement the quantum learning model in the classroom; and they found it positive that the quantum learning model and child abuse and neglect were handled together. Teachers also reported that parents should participate in the training program on child abuse and neglect. The teachers acquired the learning outcome “Knows that he/she should call the Alo 183 social support line in case of child abuse and neglect” at the end of the training program. As a result of the study, recommendations were made regarding the nature of the courses to be organized for teachers, the arrangements that can be made in schools for the implementation of the quantum learning model, and the need to organize educational programs for parents.

Intergenerational effects of child maltreatment on adolescents’ anxiety and depression in Ethiopia: the important mediating and moderating roles of current psychological distress

BackgroundChild abuse is widespread around the world, and one continent with particularly high rates is Africa. Research in high- and middle-income countries shows the cascading effect of parental history of child abuse and neglect on adolescents’ maltreatment and, in turn, on mental health problems. This cascade has been reported in young children but has rarely been studied in parent-adolescent dyads or in low-income countries (LICs). The goal of this study was to test intergenerational associations of child abuse and neglect and to examine how these experiences are in turn associated with youth anxiety and depression in an LIC.MethodsA total of 231 adolescents (age: 13–21 years) and 185 of their parents (n = 90 fathers and n = 95 mothers) were recruited from secondary schools in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed a set of questionnaires assessing child maltreatment (in adolescence and own past history in parents), parental psychological distress, youth depression and anxiety, and sociodemographic factors.ResultsThe frequencies of child maltreatment exposure were 68% for adolescents and 65% for their parents (when they were a child). Fifty-one percent and 42% of adolescents had borderline to clinical levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Adolescents of parents with a history of child abuse and neglect also reported higher exposure to maltreatment themselves (p < 0.001). Current paternal, but not maternal, psychological distress mediated this intergenerational association of maltreatment experiences (95% CI [1.164, 9.467]). We further found parents’ psychological distress to be a significant moderator of the indirect pathways of the intergenerational effect of child maltreatment on adolescents’ anxiety and depression (95% CI [− 0.770, − 0.012]).ConclusionsWe found child maltreatment to be intergenerationally associated, and this effect subsequently affected adolescents’ anxiety and depression through different pathways supporting the cascading effects across generations. Intervention plans may be effective through an array of possible indirect pathways and encourage the implementation of multiple access points to facilitate change in the lives of affected youth in Africa.

Reconsidering the best interests of the child construct

BackgroundIn many ways modern child protection systems begin with the 1962 seminal article ‘The battered-child syndrome’ by Kempe and colleagues. The article focused on injuries to a child presented at a hospital that were at variance with the explanation given by a parent regarding the occurrence of the trauma. What followed somewhat later from this seminal article was the introduction in 1974 in the US of mandatory reporting of child abuse and prevention legislation that defined what must be reported. This legislation was influenced by the equally seminal ‘In the best interest of the child’ construct as developed by Goldstein and colleagues that was published in book form in 1973. ObjectiveThe purpose of this commentary is to call attention to limitations to how the “best interests of the child” has been implemented. ConclusionThis article provides an overview of criticisms of the best interests construct and suggestions that the construct is a dated view about what is in a child’s best interests. There is a need for a new balance between explanations about child abuse and neglect (CAN) that takes account of poverty, social disadvantage, and the interests of children and their families.

Place du pédopsychiatre auprès de l’enfant négligé

Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. It can also have the most serious impact on a child's development, with an increased and accompanying risk of the emergence of psychiatric disorders from adolescence to adulthood. Child neglect is under-recognized today, due to a lack of training for professionals, the orientation of child psychiatry, and difficulties in understanding what this vague concept refers to. After proposing definitions of neglect, its characteristics, and its effects, we present the possible actions of the child psychiatrist in the ecosystem of the neglected child. Neglect is neither a legal nor a medical term. It is, however, used by doctors and social workers, with a loose definition as the absence of appropriate care for a child's development. Neglect is multifactorial. The French consensus approach to the basic needs of the child has highlighted a meta-need for security, emphasizing attachment and the particular qualities of the caregiver. In light of this report, we understand that affective or emotional neglect is the most problematic form of neglect. The effects of neglect are early, depending on the child's age. They can manifest as developmental delays, sleep disorders, tonus disorders in infants, intellectual disorders, and various internalized and externalized disorders in adolescence. Mortality and morbidity are increased in cases of neglect, and developmental sequelae have been described. Neglect has a greater impact on development than physical abuse. The child psychiatrist can take three types of action to treat the neglected child. Firstly, he or she must identify neglect and alert the appropriate instances so as to protect the child. Identification involves being aware of indicators of neglect and a particular clinical pattern that varies according to age, requiring the exploration of the different lines of development. Three clinical patterns seem to be linked to extreme neglect: anaclitic depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly complex developmental trauma, and attachment disorders. When faced with symptoms suggestive of neglect, the child psychiatrist should try to rule out a sensory or neurodevelopmental cause, sometimes seeking the advice of a specialist. He or she will observe the child's behavior alone and with his or her parents, as well as parent-child relationships, and will consider the child outside the family microsystem in an ecosystemic approach. The child psychiatrist can use available standardized tools that explore the various dimensions of neglect. This multi-consultation assessment should not delay the child psychiatrist's initial actions, given the narrow developmental windows. In particular, the child psychiatrist may be required to report the child's situation to the administrative and judicial authorities. The care provided to the neglected child will then take place within the child's own ecosystem. Interventions must be early, participative and in partnership with social services, educators, and staff at the placement site. Care will seek to compensate for the negative developmental effects of neglect, in order to correct the child's developmental trajectory. It must take into account the child's psychopathology. Psychotherapy, the framework of which will need to be adapted, will help the child to assume ownership of his or her history. Child psychiatrists can also take part in innovative initiatives to help children at risk, such as mobile teams. The final action to be developed by the trained child psychiatrist is preventative. It is important that child psychiatrists be informed and trained to deal with neglect and its effects. Today's neglected children will be tomorrow's adults with the most psychiatric disorders.

DIVERSION IN THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CRIMINAL ACT OF DISPOSAL OF INFANTS

&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;The rise of promiscuity among children, resulted in children getting pregnant out of wedlock and then giving birth. Not mentally strong and afraid of not being able to support the child born, have the heart to throw away the baby. This act is a criminal offense of child neglect. Perpetrators of child neglect who are under 18 years old are of course handled differently from adults. Children who face the law will go through the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (SPPA), where the process must go through diversion, then What is the form of diversion in solving the crime of child neglect. This research method uses empirical juridical, where the actions committed by the perpetrators (parents) of the disposal of babies under 18 years old, are not under the Child Protection Law, so they must account for it and the settlement must be used diversion as a form of protection for living babies. This study intends to find out how the reasons for babies being dumped as well as what sanctions will be imposed and the form of diversion carried out by the police. The results of this study show that child criminals throwing away their babies have violated Article 78 B of Law No. 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law No. 11 of 2012 concerning Child Protection, and can be subject to sanctions for babies who are discarded as victims taken over their authority by the police because the perpetrators. The perpetrator is married off and is required to take care of the discarded baby until adulthood. then it has violated the Article... Law on Child Protection. The perpetrator is still a child and the child born also needs protection and care, so the solution to the case is through diversion by bringing together the perpetrator's parents, community, and religious leaders. and mediated by the police. The two perpetrators, namely the parents of the baby who were discarded, were married to the two, and then they were both released from prison and only subject to mandatory reporting.&lt;/span&gt;

Overview and Design of the Child Maltreatment in Military Families Life Course Study

Objective This report presents an overview of the objectives, design, and analytic strategy of the Child Maltreatment in Military Families Life Course Study, an investigation of factors associated with child maltreatment in active duty military families. Method The study uses a case-control retrospective research design and discrete-time survival methodology to examine service member demographic characteristics, family characteristics, military-related characteristics, and military family life events associated with child maltreatment incidents that meet the Department of Defense definition of child abuse or neglect. The sample includes all active duty families with a first occurrence of child maltreatment anytime between Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 and FY 2018 (n = 28,684), and a representative sample of control families with children under age of 18 during the same period (n = 589,417). Analyses include child maltreatment and domestic abuse data from the Family Advocacy Program Central Registry; sponsor socio-demographic, military-related, and family data from the Active Duty Military Personnel Master and Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System data files; deployment data from the Contingency Tracking System; and mental health data from the Medical Data Repository. Results and Conclusions Study results identify risk and protective factors associated with child maltreatment in military families, subgroups at elevated risk of child maltreatment, and periods of heightened risk during the military family life course. These results are expected to improve the ability to identify families most at-risk for particular types of child maltreatment and inform prevention strategies that promote the health and safety of military families.

Current approaches addressing oral health practitioners' responsiveness to child abuse and neglect: A scoping review protocol.

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) poses significant risks, causing severe and long-lasting effects on a child's well-being, including physical and mental health and learning and socializing capabilities. Oral health practitioners (OHPs) uniquely position themselves to identify signs of maltreatment in the orofacial area, offer appropriate support, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team. The literature has shown that OHPs under-report child protection concerns to a statutory child protection agency. Responding to CAN is often hindered by various factors, such as the fear of making false accusations and insufficient knowledge to detect and report potential cases. However, the literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of the strategies and interventions that can address the responsiveness of OHPs and other professionals to child protection issues. This scoping review aims to provide a broad overview and map the literature on the existing approaches to enhance the responsiveness of OHPs in child protection. The proposed scoping review will be conducted following the JBI methodology for scoping reviews guideline and reported using the PRISMA-ScR guideline. The first exploratory search is conducted to refine the search strategy and inclusion and exclusion criteria. The second search will include MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), Dentistry & Oral Science Source (EBSCO), Cochrane Library, and Scopus, with a date range from January 2000 to March 2023. The third search will involve reference list searching and gray literature searching in Google and Google Scholar. Government and international health organizations' websites will be searched for policies and guidelines. The review will consider studies that report the current approaches to address OHPs' responsiveness to CAN in any setting. Two reviewers will independently select sources and extract data. Any disagreements will be resolved by consensus of the research team. The extracted data will be presented in a tabulated chart with a narrative summary.

Addressing the Complex Links between Psychopathy and Childhood Maltreatment, Emotion Regulation, and Aggression-A Network Analysis in Adults.

Childhood maltreatment is the strongest predictor of psychopathology and personality disorders across the lifespan and is strongly associated with a variety of psychological problems, namely, mood and anxiety disorders, behavioral and personality disorders, substance abuse, aggression, and self-harm. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive picture of the interplay between different traits of psychopathy and distinct dimensions of childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation, and aggression. Using a cross-sectional design, we employed correlational network analysis to explore the nomological network of psychopathy and provide a sample-based estimate of the population parameters reflecting the direction, strength, and patterns of relationships between variables. The sample consisted of 846 adults (71% females) who completed questionnaires measuring psychopathy, childhood maltreatment, emotion regulation, and aggression. The results highlight that disinhibition traits of psychopathy are the closest attributes of early experiences of abuse (but not neglect) in childhood and correlate with all dimensions of emotion regulation difficulties, being specifically associated with reactive aggression. Neglect was a unique attribute in the nomological network of meanness, with widespread correlations with emotion regulation difficulties but also an increased ability to engage in goal-directed behavior. Physical abuse was the only dimension of childhood adversity that was found to be intercorrelated with boldness and increased emotional regulation was found in this psychopathic trait. No significant associations were found between boldness, meanness, and aggression once shared variance with disinhibition was controlled. These results are discussed in terms of their implication for research and clinical practice.