History Of Childhood Physical Abuse Research Articles

Do trauma symptoms mediate the relationship between childhood physical abuse and adult child abuse risk?

Objective Although the intergenerational transmission of family violence has been well documented, the mechanisms responsible for this effect have not been fully determined. The present study examined whether trauma symptoms mediate the relationship between a childhood history of child physical abuse (CPA) and adult CPA risk, and whether any such mediation was similar for women and men. Method Female and male US Navy (USN) recruits ( N = 5,394) and college students ( N = 716) completed self-report measures of their history of child abuse (i.e., CPA and child sexual abuse [CSA]), exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV), current trauma symptoms, and adult CPA risk. Results As expected, there was a strong association between a childhood history of CPA and adult CPA risk. This association was significant even after controlling for demographic variables and childhood exposure to other forms of violence (CSA and IPV), and the strength of the relationship did not vary depending on demographics or exposure to other forms of violence. However, the association between a history of CPA and adult risk of CPA was stronger for individuals high in defensive avoidance compared to those low in defensive avoidance. The association between a history of CPA and adult CPA risk was largely, although not entirely, mediated by psychological trauma symptoms. Mediation was observed for both women and men in both the USN and college samples. Conclusions Trauma symptoms associated with a history of CPA accounted for a substantial part of the relationship between a history of CPA and adult CPA risk in both women and men. Practice implications To the extent that trauma symptoms are a mechanism by which the intergenerational transmission of child abuse occurs, intervening to reduce trauma symptoms in CPA victims has the potential of reducing their risk of continuing the cycle of violence.

Prevalence of Childhood Physical Abuse in a Representative Sample of College Students in Samsun, Turkey

The main objective of this article is to obtain the prevalence of childhood physical abuse experiences in college students.This cross-sectional study was performed on a gender-stratified random sample of 988 participants studying at Ondokuz Mayis University, with self-reported anonymous questionnaires. It included questions on physical abuse in childhood, on whom and why the violence was inflicted, and on the reactions exhibited. Of the 988 participants, 527 (53.3%) had a history of childhood physical abuse (64.0% in men and 41.6% in women). The prevalence of being subject to physical violence was 1.5 times higher in men. Mothers more frequently inflicted violence on daughters and fathers on sons. According to participants, most frequent reasons for physical violence were "loss of perpetrator's self-control" and "establishment of discipline at home." The most frequent statement observed among the participants was humiliation after subjection to physical violence. It is concluded that the first (and the most) important preventive measure is to protect and strengthen the social, economic, and judicial status of the Turkish family. Second, it should by all means be prevented that violence remains legal in some social conditions like child abuse.

Comparing physically abusive, neglectful, and non-maltreating parents during interactions with their children: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Objective To clarify the nature and extent of differences in the ways that physically abusive, neglectful, and non-maltreating parents communicate during interactions with their children. Method A meta-analysis was conducted of 33 observational studies comparing parent–child interactions in families where parents have a documented history of physical abuse or neglect vs. where parents have no history of child maltreatment. Parental behaviors were grouped into three clusters (positivity, aversiveness, and involvement) for comparison across studies. Results When comparing maltreating (physically abusive or neglectful) vs. non-maltreating parents, mean weighted effect sizes for the three behavioral clusters range from d = .46 to .62. Physically abusive parents are distinguished from non-maltreating parents more so than neglectful parents in terms of aversive behavior, whereas the reverse is true for involvement. Publication date, parent and child age, and task structure moderate the magnitude, though not direction, of differences. Conclusion Parents with a documented history of child physical abuse or child neglect also are distinguished from non-maltreating parents by the levels of aversiveness, positivity, and involvement they display during interactions that constitute the parent–child relationship. Practice implications Researchers and practitioners need to carefully consider sample size, length and setting of observation, and interaction tasks when using observational methods.

Familial transmission of suicidal behavior: factors mediating the relationship between childhood abuse and offspring suicide attempts.

Self-reported childhood sexual abuse is associated with major depression and with suicidal behavior. The current study investigates the relationship between reported childhood abuse and the familial transmission of suicidal behavior and other related risk factors. 507 offspring of 271 parent probands with DSM-IV major depressive disorder were compared according to the reported childhood abuse history on demographic, diagnostic, and clinical variables related to risk for suicidal behavior. Both self-report and clinical interview measures assessed history of childhood physical and sexual abuse. The study was conducted from May 1997 to February 2004. Reported childhood sexual abuse, but not physical abuse, in the proband correlated with suicide attempts, posttraumatic stress disorder, earlier onset of major depressive disorder, higher levels of impulsivity, and greater likelihood of childhood sexual abuse in the offspring and was rarely perpetrated by the affected parent. A reported history of childhood physical abuse was related to more lifetime aggression in the offspring. Reported childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for suicidal behavior in parent and offspring. Transmission of suicide risk across generations is related to the familial transmission of sexual abuse and impulsivity. Sexual abuse is not directly transmitted by the victim to the next generation and may be related to family dynamics related to sexual abuse.

Childhood physical abuse, attachment, and adult social support: Test of a mediational model.

This study examined the mediating role of attachment on the relationship between childhood physical abuse and perceived social support in adulthood. The 2 underlying dimensions of attachment, view of self and view of other, were both hypothesized to be potential mediators. Young adults, with and without a history of childhood physical abuse, completed a series of questionnaires inquiring about past abuse experiences and current levels of attachment and social support. Results indicated a robust mediational effect. Namely, both attachment variables were significant mediators in the relationship between childhood physical abuse and social support. In addition, the mediation occurred across all sources of social support, that is, social support from family/close friends, peers, and authority figures. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Childhood physical abuse in outpatients with psychosomatic symptoms

BackgroundIn Japan and Asia, few studies have been done of physical and sexual abuse. This study was aimed to determine whether a history of childhood physical abuse is associated with anxiety, depression and self-injurious behavior in outpatients with psychosomatic symptoms.MethodsWe divided 564 consecutive new outpatients at the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of Kyushu University Hospital into two groups: a physically abused group and a non-abused group. Psychological test scores and the prevalence of self-injurious behavior were compared between the two groups.ResultsA history of childhood physical abuse was reported by patients with depressive disorders(12.7%), anxiety disorders(16.7%), eating disorders (16.3%), pain disorders (10.8%), irritable bowel syndrome (12.5%), and functional dyspepsia(7.5%). In both the patients with depressive disorders and those with anxiety disorders, STAI-I (state anxiety) and STAI-II (trait anxiety) were higher in the abused group than in the non-abused group (p < 0.05).In the patients with depressive disorders, the abused group was younger than the non-abused group (p < 0.05). The prevalence of self-injurious behavior of the patients with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders and pain disorders was higher in the abused groups than in the non-abused groups (p < 0.005).ConclusionA history of childhood physical abuse is associated with psychological distress such as anxiety, depression and self-injurious behavior in outpatients with psychosomatic symptoms. It is important for physicians to consider the history of abuse in the primary care of these patients.

Child Abuse and Chronic Pain in a Community Survey of Women

This study examined the relationship between a self-reported history of child physical and sexual abuse and chronic pain among women (N = 3,381) in a provincewide community sample. Chronic pain was significantly associated with physical abuse, education, and age of the respondents and was unrelated to child sexual abuse alone or in combination with physical abuse, mental disorder (anxiety, depression, or substance abuse), or low income. Number of health problems and mental health disorders did not mediate the relationship between physical abuse and chronic pain. Despite considerable evidence from the clinical literature linking exposure to child maltreatment and chronic pain in adulthood, this may well be the first population-based study to investigate this relationship for child physical and sexual abuse independently. The significant association between childhood history of physical abuse and pain in adulthood calls for a greater awareness of the potential for chronic pain problems associated with this type of maltreatment. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism for this complex relationship.

Childhood Physical Abuse and Differential Development of Paranormal Belief Systems

This study compared paranormal belief systems in individuals with and without childhood physical abuse histories. The Revised Paranormal Belief Scale and the Assessing Environments III Questionnaire were completed by 107 University students. Psi, precognition, and spiritualism, which are thought to provide a sense of personal efficacy and control, were among the most strongly held beliefs in abused subjects, and were significantly higher in abused versus nonabused subjects. Superstition and extraordinary life forms, thought to have an inverse or no relation to felt control, were the least strongly held beliefs in abused subjects, and, along with religious beliefs, did not differ between the two abuse groups. Witchcraft was unexpectedly found to be the most strongly held belief among those with abuse histories. Results suggest that by providing a sense of control, certain paranormal beliefs may offer a powerful emotional refuge to individuals who endured the stress of physical abuse in childhood.

Brief Communication: Physical Abuse of Boys and Possible Associations with Poor Adult Outcomes

Men's childhood physical abuse experiences are understudied. To obtain descriptions about men's personal childhood physical abuse histories and estimate their association with adult outcomes. Population-based telephone survey. Urban areas with high frequency of domestic violence against girls and women. 298 men recruited through random-digit dialing. 6 Conflict Tactics Scale items and psychiatric, sexual, and legal history questions. One hundred of 197 (51%) participants had a history of childhood physical abuse. Most (73%) participants were abused by a parent. Childhood physical abuse history was associated with depression symptoms (P = 0.003), post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (P < 0.001), number of lifetime sexual partners (P = 0.035), legal troubles (P = 0.002), and incarceration (P = 0.007) in unadjusted analyses and with depression symptoms (P = 0.015) and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (P = 0.003) in adjusted analyses. There may have been inaccurate recall of past events. Lack of exposure time data disallowed direct comparison of abuse perpetration by mothers versus fathers. Other unmeasured variables related to childhood physical abuse might better explain poor adult outcomes. The high frequency of childhood physical abuse histories in this population-based male sample, coupled with the high proportion of parent perpetrators and the association between childhood physical abuse and adult outcomes that are often associated with perpetration of violence, argues for more study of and clinical attentiveness to potential adult outcomes of men's own childhood physical abuse histories.

Self-mutilation in substance-dependent patients and relationship with childhood abuse and neglect, alexithymia and temperament and character dimensions of personality

Objective: Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-mutilation (SM) in Turkish male substance-dependent patients, and to investigate the relationship of SM with childhood abuse and neglect, alexithymia and temperament and character dimensions of personality. Methods: Participants were 136 consecutively admitted males with substance dependence (96 alcohol and 40 drug). Substance dependence was diagnosed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), Turkish version. Patients were investigated with the childhood abuse and neglect questionnaire, Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and temperament and character inventory (TCI). Results: Among substance-dependent patients 34.6% was considered as a group with SM. Rates of being single and unemployed, histories of physical and sexual abuse and suicide attempts were higher in the SM group. Current age, age at first substance use and age at regular substance use were lower in the group with SM. Mean of TAS-20 and ‘difficulty in identifying feelings’ (DIF) and ‘difficulty in describing feelings’ (DDF) subscales of TAS-20 were higher in SM group. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of TCI subscales. Age, childhood physical abuse and suicide attempt history predicted SM in logistic regression. Conclusions: Young substance users with childhood physical abuse histories could be the target population to prevent self-mutilating behavior. This study also suggests that whenever self-mutilating behavior is present, the possibility of childhood abuse, alexithymia and suicide attempts must be evaluated.

A Path Model of Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence among Couples in the United States

The present study was designed to identify the impact of drinking problems, impulsivity, and a history of childhood physical abuse on both male-to-female (MFIPV) and female-to-male intimate partner violence (FMIPV). The data were collected in 1995 from a representative national sample of couples living in the contiguous 48 states. Using a multistage probability sampling design, face-to-face interviews were conducted in respondent' homes, privately with each member of 1, 635 couples. A complex path model building on earlier work was tested for African American, Hispanic, and White couples separately. Multiple-group path analysis demonstrated that impulsivity, alcohol problems, and childhood physical abuse were differentially associated with reports of MFIPV and FMIPV as a function of ethnicity. This study suggests that a history of being physically harmed by parental figures during childhood, impulsivity, and drinking problems are all risk factors for intimate partner violence in the general household population in the United States.

Child sexual and physical abuse among college students in Singapore and the United States

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore differences in rates and characteristics of child sexual and physical abuse experiences among women in Singapore and the US. Method: Participants ( N=153) completed an anonymous questionnaire which assessed experiences of childhood sexual and physical abuse, abuse characteristics (e.g., victimization age, severity), and behavioral and subjective reactions to such experiences (e.g., labeling of experiences as abuse, psychological symptomatology). Exposure to other forms of traumatic life events was also assessed. Results: In comparison to Singaporean women, US women were more likely to report a history of child sexual abuse, and to report experiencing more severe forms of sexual abuse. Women in Singapore were more likely than women in the US to report a history of child physical abuse, to report experiencing injury as a result of the abuse, and to disclose the abuse. Singaporean women with a history of child sexual abuse reported elevated psychological symptom levels relative to their nonabused peers and to US women with a history of child sexual abuse, even after controlling for exposure to other types of traumatic events. No significant differences in symptomatology with regard to child physical abuse were observed. Conclusions: Although preliminary in nature, the present findings are among the first to demonstrate differences in psychological adjustment between sexually abused and nonabused Asian women living in Asia. This study also provides some of the first support for cross-national differences in the psychological adjustment of child sexual abuse survivors.

Childhood Trauma and Adult Prostitution Behavior in a Multiethnic Heterosexual Drug‐Using Population

A cross-sectional study of the association between severity of childhood trauma and adult prostitution behaviors was conducted among 676 heterosexual drug addicts in San Antonio, Texas. Three hundred and fifty eight women and 338 men taking part in a national multisite program for AIDS prevention research completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire as part of a comprehensive risk behavior assessment. Women addicts in the sample were less educated, more likely to be in a common-law relationship, living with someone of the opposite sex or separated, and had lower incomes in comparison to men addicts. Among male subjects, higher educational levels and older age were positively associated with prostitution activities. Single female subjects were three times more likely to engage in selling sex than married subjects. Single women with higher incomes were more likely to be prostituting than single women with lower incomes. Black women reporting severe degrees of emotional abuse, emotional neglect, or physical neglect were more likely to engage in prostitution behavior than Hispanic or white women with similar levels of trauma. Black men with a history of childhood physical abuse were more likely to use prostitutes than Hispanic or white men.

Neurocognitive and psychosocial correlates of hostility among persons in a post-acute phase of schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Persons with schizophrenia often have difficulty inhibiting hostile behaviors. While the correlates of hostility have been extensively explored in controlled settings, less is known about hostile behaviors and attitudes among outpatients who are in a post-acute phase of illness. Accordingly, this study examined the relationship of self-reported hostile behaviors and attitudes with measures of neurocognition, childhood physical abuse and hopelessness among 36 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. In a stepwise multiple regression, poorer executive function and a history of childhood physical abuse significantly predicted behavioral hostility (R(2) =.25, P <.05), while attitudinal hostility was uniquely predicted by hopelessness (R(2) =.16, P <.05). Results suggest that behavioral hostility among persons in a stable phase of illness may be closely related to disinhibition and trauma history while hostile attitudes may be more closely linked with attitudes about current psychosocial circumstances.

Childhood abuse and lifetime psychopathology in a community sample.

The authors assessed lifetime psychopathology in a general population sample and compared the rates of five psychiatric disorder categories between those who reported a childhood history of either physical or sexual abuse and those who did not. A modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and a self-completed questionnaire on child abuse were administered to a probability sample (N=7,016) of Ontario residents 15 to 64 years of age. Those reporting a history of childhood physical abuse had significantly higher lifetime rates of anxiety disorders, alcohol abuse/dependence, and antisocial behavior and were more likely to have one or more disorders than were those without such a history. Women, but not men, with a history of physical abuse had significantly higher lifetime rates of major depression and illicit drug abuse/dependence than did women with no such history. A history of childhood sexual abuse was also associated with higher rates of all disorders considered in women. In men, the prevalence of disorders tended to be higher among those who reported exposure to sexual abuse, but only the associations with alcohol abuse/dependence and the category of one or more disorders reached statistical significance. The relationship between a childhood history of physical abuse and lifetime psychopathology varied significantly by gender for all categories except for anxiety disorders. Although not statistically significant, a similar relationship was seen between childhood history of sexual abuse and lifetime psychopathology. A history of abuse in childhood increases the likelihood of lifetime psychopathology; this association appears stronger for women than men.

Child maltreatment in the “Children of the nineties”: A longitudinal study of parental risk factors

Objective: To identify and validate factors within the parental background affecting risk of child maltreatment. Method: A nested case-control study based on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (“Children of the Nineties”), a cohort of children born in Avon in 1991 through 1992. Data on the childhood and psychiatric histories of the parents, along with other data on the social and family environments, have been collected through postal questionnaires from early antenatal booking onwards. Results: Out of 14,138 participating children, 162 have been identified as having been maltreated. Using logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors within the mothers’ backgrounds were age < 20; lower educational achievement; history of sexual abuse; child guidance or psychiatry; absence of her father during childhood; and a previous history of psychiatric illness. Significant factors in the fathers’ backgrounds were age < 20; lower educational achievement; having been in care during childhood; and a history of psychiatric illness. Significant factors on univariate, but not multivariate analysis included a parental history of childhood physical abuse; divorce or separation of the mother’s parents; a maternal history of having been in care, or separated from her mother; parental alcohol or drug abuse; and a maternal history of depression. Conclusions: This study, the first of its kind in the UK, supports the findings of others that parental age, educational achievement, and a history of psychiatric illness are of prime importance in an understanding of child maltreatment. With the exception of maternal sexual abuse, a history of abuse in childhood is not significant once adjusted for other background factors. The study suggests that psychodynamic models are inadequate to explain child maltreatment, and wider models incorporating other ecological domains are needed.

Trauma Symptomatology among Female U.S. Navy Recruits

A sample of female U.S. Navy recruits (N = 1,051) was surveyed for histories of childhood abuse and current trauma symptomatology. Victims of only childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and victims of both CSA and childhood physical abuse (CPA) had significantly higher scores on all 10 Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) clinical scales than did participants who did not report a history of childhood abuse. Victims of only CPA had significantly higher scores on all TSI clinical scales, except the Sexual Concerns scale, than participants who did not report a childhood history of CPA or CSA. Additionally, more victims of childhood abuse positively endorsed TSI items related to suicidal behavior and ideation than did nonvictims. Overall, the women who experienced CPA and/or CSA reported substantially higher levels of trauma symptomatology.

Childhood abuse and premilitary sexual assault in male Navy recruits.

Three samples of male U.S. Navy recruits (N = 7,850) were surveyed to determine whether a history of childhood physical abuse (CPA) or childhood sexual abuse (CSA) was predictive of premilitary rape of women and whether these relationships were mediated by alcohol problems and number of sex partners. In the 3 samples, 11.3%, 11.6%, and 9.9% of men reported committing premilitary rape. When demographic factors were controlled for, both CPA and CSA were independently and additively predictive of rape in each sample, with men who experienced both forms of abuse showing the highest risk of committing rape. Additional analyses revealed that alcohol problems and number of sex partners significantly mediated the relationship between childhood abuse (CPA and CSA) and rape perpetration.

Severity of child maltreatment, pain complaints and medical utilization among women

High medical utilization in adults has been linked to both reported history of childhood abuse and mental health problems. However, few studies have explored relationships between abuse severity and psychological distress to identify subgroups with unique utilization patterns and medical complaints. This study compared two groups of psychologically distressed, high utilizers. One group (DS) was comprised of those with psychological distress, who reported a history of child sexual abuse (CSA); the other group (DSP) consisted of those with psychological distress, who reported CSA plus a history of childhood physical abuse. The groups were compared on severity of sexual and nonsexual child maltreatment, medical complaints and medical utilization. From a convenience sample of 206 females age 20–63, recruited while waiting for a physician appointment in a primary care clinic, we compared 25 DSPs to 33 DSs. Compared with DSs, DSPs reported significantly more severe: (1) sexual abuse including completed intercourse; (2) emotional abuse; (3) emotional neglect; and (4) psychological distress. DSPs also showed a nonsignificant trend towards more severe physical neglect. In addition to being significantly higher on emergency room visits, DSPs were marginally higher than DSs on nonpsychiatric outpatient visits. DSPs had significantly more frequent chronic and acute pain complaints at emergency room (ER) visits. Headaches were the most frequently coded diagnosis at ER visits in this sample. DSPs accounted for 89% of these ER visits attributable to headaches. The interaction of psychological distress and reported severity of child maltreatment reveals subgroups with unique utilization patterns and medical complaints. Physicians should screen patients for child maltreatment severity and psychological distress and should be involved in mental health referral where necessary.

Risk factors and context of men who physically abuse in Bogotá, Colombia

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for physical abuse caused by male perpetrators, as well as to describe the context of abuse and the role of the female partner in these cases in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: Information from in-depth interviews of males reported to authorities for physical child abuse and their female partners ( n = 45) was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed and compared to to males and their female partners from the same neighborhood living with a child of the same gender and age (±3 years) as the abused child ( n = 44). Results: Situations of abuse occurred more often on a weekday, in the afternoon or early evening hours, with the mother present, exceptionally involved substance abuse, and tended to be repetititve. Male subjects’ lower level of education, stepfather status, perceived stress, substance abuse and mental illness, lack of social support, history of childhood physical abuse, negative perceptions, attributions and unrealistic expectations of the child’s behavior were associated with abuse. Cases’ female partners were more likely to have a lower occupational level, a higher frequency of dependent personality, a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse and be herself physically and emotionally abused by her spouse. At least three scenarios for abuse emerged from the analyses: “explosive” men, “abusive disciplinarians,” and “children out of parental control.” Conclusions: Most of the findings are consistent with existing research despite the different social and cultural context. The different scenarios suggest the need to tailor preventive and rehabilitative interventions for abusers.