History Of Childhood Physical Abuse Research Articles

Paths Between Childhood Emotional and Other Maltreatment and Psychiatric Problems in Criminal Offenders

Abstract The relationships between a maternal childhood history of physical abuse and a son's maltreatment experiences, childhood behavior problems and adult diagnoses were examined in a sample of 89 young male prison inmates and 31 of their mothers. Structured interviews, files, and questionnaires yielded information about childhood maltreatment. The presence of behavior problems was inferred from early files, and diagnoses were derived using interviews. LISREL path models showed that the sons' childhood history of rejection (emotional maltreatment) and neglect and the mothers' childhood physical abuse predicted the sons' externalizing behavior problems. The sons' physical abuse experiences predicted their adult depression and substance dependencies. Contrary to expectations, behavior problems were not a mediator between childhood maltreatment and adult diagnoses. Neither was there a direct relationship between maternal abuse history and the sons' maltreatment experiences.

Prevalence of Child Physical and Sexual Abuse in the Community

Although child maltreatment is considered common, few community surveys have examined the prevalence of more than 1 type of maltreatment among both males and females. To determine the prevalence of a history of physical and sexual abuse during childhood among the general population. General population survey. Household dwellings in the province of Ontario, Canada. A random sample (N=9953) of residents aged 15 years and older participated in the Ontario Health Supplement. Self-administered questionnaire about a history of physical and sexual abuse in childhood. A history of child physical abuse was reported more often by males (31.2%) than females (21.1%), while sexual abuse during childhood was more commonly reported by females (12.8%) than males (4.3%). Severe physical abuse was reported by similar proportions of males (10.7%) and females (9.2%). A greater percentage of females reported a history of severe sexual abuse (11.1%) compared with males (3.9%). Age of the respondent was not significantly associated with childhood abuse within any category for males. However, for females, the reported prevalence in childhood of sexual abuse, co-occurrence of physical and sexual abuse, and both categories of severe abuse decreased with increasing age of the respondent. A history of childhood maltreatment among Ontario residents is common. Child abuse may be more prevalent in younger women compared with older women, or there may be a greater willingness among younger women to report abuse.

Predictors of service utilization in veterans with bipolar disorder: a prospective study

This study prospectively followed 103 bipolar patients enrolled in a VA treatment program for 1 year. Mental health service utilization was recorded and aggregated using the VA Cost Distribution Report. We hypothesized that previously reported predictors of disease severity would also predict service utilization, and that several other predictors of service utilization might also be identified. Analyses indicated that only the presence of a major affective episode at clinic intake and a recalled history of childhood physical abuse predicted mental health service utilization. Contrary to expectations, previously reported predictors of disease severity were not significant predictors. Implications for the study of economic outcome are discussed. In particular, we propose that economic outcome is a complex function of both patient and system factors, rather than simply being passively driven by disease severity.

The Measurement of Childhood Trauma among Male and Female Soldiers in the U.S. Army

One thousand three hundred sixty-five soldiers from the U.S. Army completed a 30-item version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) together with four questions on sexual abuse developed for a national survey of U.S. adults. A four-factor solution to the CTQ produced four subscales that were similar to those found in the original study, namely (1) emotional neglect, (2) physical and emotional abuse, (3) sexual abuse, and (4) physical neglect. We found that half of female soldiers reported a childhood history of sexual abuse, compared with one-sixth of male soldiers. Half of both male and female soldiers reported a childhood history of physical abuse. Combined abuse histories were noted in 34% of female and 11% of male soldiers. Abused soldiers reported more psychological symptoms on the Brief Symptom Inventory than nonabused soldiers. The CTQ and screening questions are discussed as possible tools for eliciting histories of abuse from soldiers.

Moderating effects of physical abuse and perceived social support on the potential to abuse

This study investigated the moderating effects of perceived prepubertal social support on the relationship between prepubertal childhood physical abuse and child abuse potential as well as on the relationship between a childhood history of abuse and conflict and depth in adult relationships. Three hundred and sixty-nine undergraduate men and women were classified as abused or nonabused based on their responses to the Childhood History Questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses revealed interactions of social support and a childhood history of physical abuse on both the potential to abuse and the quality of participants' relationships with their parents. Differences between abused and nonabused individuals were obtained only under conditions of low perceived social support. When social support was perceived to be high, abused and nonabused individuals did not differ in the potential to abuse or in the ratings of the depth of their relationships with parents. Implications of these findings for the intergenerational transmission of abuse are discussed.

Childhood maltreatment, childhood social support, and child abuse potential in a Basque sample

The present study obtained data on childhood physical and sexual abuse in a Basque sample in order to compare abuse rates with a similar study conducted in the United States. The study also examined the relationships between childhood physical and sexual abuse, childhood social support, and abuse potential in the Basque sample. Although the overall rates of physically abusive behaviors were similar in the Basque and US samples, the rates of physical abuse sequelae (bruises/welts, cuts/scratches, dislocations, burns, and/or bone fractures) were lower in the Basque sample. In addition, while the rates of sexual abuse were similar for females, the sexual abuse rates for Basque males were more than double the rates reported for US males. As expected, a childhood history of physical and sexual abuse were directly related to child abuse potential. Childhood social support, especially father support, was inversely associated with abuse potential. An interaction between a childhood history of physical abuse and father support was found where those with a history of abuse and low levels of father support had the highest level of abuse potential and those with a history of abuse and high levels of father support had the lowest level of abuse potential.

Childhood Abuse as a Factor in Attrition from Drug Rehabilitation

The following factors were examined as possible influences of clients' attrition from inpatient and outpatient drug-rehabilitation programs: depression (Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression test), attributional style (Attributional Style Questionnaire), primary drug of choice, family incidence of substance abuse, and history of childhood physical abuse. A step-wise regression analysis indicated that a history of childhood abuse was a statistically reliable predictor of program noncompletion for 92 substance abusers who entered a drug-rehabilitation program.

Childhood Physical Abuse, Perceived Social Support, and Socioemotional Status in Adult Women

This study investigated the extent to which an interactional model, relative to a main effect model, predicts the relationship between childhood physical abuse, perceived social support, and various aspects of socioemotional functioning in adult women. The results indicated that perceived social support during childhood was significantly related to subsequent levels of adult depression, trait anxiety, and child abuse potential in a manner consistent with a main effect model. Childhood history of physical abuse was related only to adult child abuse potential. Implications and study limitations are discussed.

Physiological responses to child stimuli in mothers with and without a childhood history of physical abuse

The present study investigated changes in heart rate, skin conductance, and self-reported affect in response to child stimuli in mothers with and without a childhood history of physical abuse. The stimuli were videotape presentations of a smiling and crying infant. During baseline periods (prior to videotape presentations), mothers without a childhood history of abuse displayed a significant reduction in skin conductance, which was not observed in mothers with a childhood history of abuse, suggesting that mothers without a history of abuse habituated to the experimental setting. Although the two groups of mothers did not differ in self-reported affect or in heart rates in response to the crying and smiling infant, mothers with a childhood history of abuse showed increases in skin conductance while viewing the smiling infant, but not while viewing the crying infant. In contrast, mothers without a childhood history of abuse showed increases in skin conductance during the presentation of the crying infant, but not while viewing the smiling infant. Similarities between the skin conductance results for mothers with and without a childhood history of abuse and skin conductance data reported for physically abusive and at-risk mothers are discussed.

Is Abuse during Childhood a Risk Factor for Developing Substance Abuse Problems as an Adult?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between a history of childhood physical abuse and later substance abuse, controlling for family history of substance abuse. The study was a cross-sectional survey. Subjects were a convenience sample of mothers with children younger than 6 years being seen for routine care in five pediatric clinics. Mothers were given an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire on demographics, substance abuse, history of physical abuse, and family history of substance abuse. Of the 733 respondents, 24% reported having been physically abused, 24% reported a family history of substance abuse, and 36% had a positive screen for substance abuse. A positive screen for substance abuse was more common among those who reported having been abused than those who had not (47% vs 32%, p < .001). After controlling for family history of substance abuse, a history of being abused remained significantly associated with current substance abuse (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 2.2). Suffering abuse during childhood is a significant risk factor for later substance abuse, even after controlling for a family history of substance abuse. Clinicians treating victims of abuse may wish to include substance abuse prevention measures.

Screening for Maternal Experiences of Physical Abuse During Childhood

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.

Childhood Physical Abuse, Childhood Social Support, and Adult Child Abuse Potential

The childhood experience of physical abuse is believed to be associated with parental child abuse. However, not all parents with a childhood history of abuse are abusive, indicating that factors such as social support may buffer the effects of childhood abuse. To examine the role of social support in the discrimination of physical child abusers and nonabusers, the Childhood Social Network Questionnaire (CSNQ) and the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory were given to matched groups of physical child abusers with a childhood history of physical abuse, nonabusers with a childhood history of physical abuse, and nonabusers without a childhood history of physical abuse. Overall, CSNQ factors and the CAP abuse scale each distinguished between physical child abusers and nonabusers. The CAP abuse scale, however, provided the highest classification rates, and the rates were not improved by the addition of social support factors. In contrast to expectations, none of the social support factors distinguished between physical child abusers with a childhood history of physical abuse and the group of nonabusers with a childhood history of physical abuse.

Childhood abuse experiences and combat-related PTSD.

Current literature on the etiology of combat-related PTSD strongly implicates combat trauma exposure as a primary etiological factor. However, studies of premilitary variables have produced conflicting results, perhaps in part due to methodological inconsistencies and failure to employ standardized measures. The present study examines one premilitary variable, childhood physical abuse history. Using a standardized measure developed by child abuse researchers, forty-five percent of veterans with PTSD were identified as recipients of abusive physical punishment during childhood. A positive correlation between physical abuse history and severity of combat-related PTSD was found. These preliminary findings set the stage for further investigation of the child abuse variable and underscore the need for treatment of veterans with combat-related PTSD which addresses developmental traumagenic events.

Childhood abuse experiences and combat‐related PTSD

AbstractCurrent literature on the etiology of combat‐related PTSD strongly implicates combat trauma exposure as a primary etiological factor. However, studies of premilitary variables have produced conflicting results, perhaps in part due to methodological inconsistencies and failure to employ standardized measures. The present study examines one premilitary variable, childhood physical abuse history. Using a standardized measure developed by child abuse researchers, forty‐five percent of veterans with PTSD were identified as recipients of abusive physical punishment during childhood. A positive correlation between physical abuse history and severity of combat‐related PTSD was found. These preliminary findings set the stage for further investigation of the child abuse variable and underscore the need for treatment of veterans with combat‐related PTSD which addresses developmental traumagenic events.

Risk factors associated with HIV infection among male prostitutes.

This study documents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease seroprevalence rate for male prostitutes, identifies the risk factors for HIV, and provides baseline information for the development and implementation of appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. Structured interviews were conducted with and blood samples were collected from 235 actively working male prostitutes in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 1988 through July 1991. The HIV seroprevalence was 29.4%; 25.1% of the sample had seromarker for syphilis and 58.3% for hepatitis B. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the following significant HIV risk factors: history of receptive anal sex with nonpaying partners, serologic history of hepatitis B or syphilis, and history of childhood physical abuse. The reported seroprevalence rates among these male prostitutes indicate they are a high-risk group. The striking difference in HIV seroprevalence by sexual orientation may warrant special attention. Considering the public health consequences, there is a clear need for innovative HIV prevention and intervention among these men.

Family of Origin Violence and MCMI-II Psychopathology, Among Partner Assaultive Men

This study examined associations between family of origin violence, self-reports of psychopathology on the MCMI-II, and current spouse abuse among partner assaultive men. Compared to nonviolent men in discordant (n = 24) and well-adjusted (n = 24) relationships, partner assaultive men (n = 24) were significantly more likely to report childhood histories of physical abuse and physical abuse of the mother in the family of origin. The partner assaultive men also reported significantly higher scores on a variety of MCMI-II personality disorder and Axis I disorder scales. When negative affectivity was controlled, however, batterers differed from contrast groups only on scales assessing antisocial and aggressive characteristics. Within the partner assaultive group, a history of severe childhood abuse was associated with higher scores on a variety of MCMI-II personality disorder and Axis I disorder scales, and higher levels of psychological and physical aggression directed toward the current relationship partner. Abuse of the mother in the family of origin among batterers was associated with higher levels of psychological and physical aggression toward the current partner, but not with self-reported psychopathology. The results support prior descriptions of a batterer subgroup with significant trauma histories, more psychological difficulties, and higher abuse levels than other batterers, suggesting continuities in social and emotional development from childhood maltreatment to adult relationship violence.

Child Physical Abuse Observed

Twenty-seven families, 14 with a history of child physical abuse and 13 with no such history, were studied over the course of intensive in-patient treatment. The families in the former group differed significantly from those in the latter group in terms of current circumstances and background histories. Families where abuse was admitted benefited significantly more from treatment than families where abuse was suspected but not admitted. The ability of mothers to remember good relationships from childhood and to establish good relationships during treatment was an important prognostic factor for successful treatment.

History of Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Fantasies

The study investigated the hypothesis that women with a history of childhood sexual abuse would report different sexual fantasies from women with no childhood sexual abuse. Women with a history of abuse had more force in their fantasies, had more sexually explicit fantasies, began having sexual fantasies at a younger age, and had more fantasies with the theme of being under someone's control. Women with a history of childhood physical abuse did not have a similar pattern. It was suggested that the sexual fantasies may reflect the sexualizing effect of childhood sexual experiences and that fantasies of the abusive experience may become intrusive.

Childhood history of abuse and adult child abuse potential

The experience of aversive interactions within the family of origin is believed to increase the probability of parental physical child abuse. To test this hypothesis, 375 subjects were given a Childhood History Questionnaire (CHQ) and the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory. The CHQ contained a series of questions about the presence and frequency of various abusive behaviors and associated sequelae that were received and/or observed before and/or after puberty. The CAP Inventory was used to measure adult physical child abuse potential. As expected, a childhood history of physical abuse was significantly related to adult physical child abuse potential; and, as chronicity increased, so did abuse potential. The experience of physical abuse prior to puberty produced higher abuse scores than the experience of physical abuse after puberty. The study provides preliminary data indicating the childhood experience of a caring adult and / or caring friend moderates adult child abuse potential.

Prevalence of childhood physical abuse in adult male veteran alcoholics

Although past research has identified psychological and behavioral consequences for adults who were abused as children, few studies have examined the incidence and consequences of childhood physical abuse among adult alcoholics. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of a childhood history of physical abuse in adult male alcoholics and to determine what differences may exist in the psychological profile and patterns of alcohol abuse in abused and nonabused alcoholics. The study sample was comprised of 100 male alcoholic inpatients from the alcoholism treatment unit at a metropolitan Veterans Administration hospital. Subjects were administered a self-report devised by the authors to assess a history of childhood physical abuse, the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Findings indicated that approximately one-third of the alcoholics were physically abused as children. Abused alcoholics reported having more severe psychological symptoms and distress than their nonabused counterparts, although they did not differ on the onset, severity, or treatment history for alcohol dependency.