Multiple Types Of Maltreatment Research Articles

An Analysis of Child Behavior Problems in Adoptions in Difficulty

ABSTRACT This study examines the behavior problems of children receiving services through an adoption preservation program for legally adopted children at risk of placement or dissolution. Two measures of behavior problems are used: a behavior problem rating scale, available on 368 children, and the Child Behavior Checklist, available on 201 children. Variables associated with severity of behavior problems include attachment problems, age at placement, experiencing multiple types of abuse and neglect, a history of sexual abuse, and experiencing a recent loss in the family. Children's scores on the CBC reflect the severity of behavioral and emotional problems among these children who have lived in their adoptive home for a mean of 8.9 years. Ninety-one percent score in the clinical range on at least one of the three summary scores of the CBC. These findings support the need for services for children and families beyond the ilnalization of adoption.

The association of physical and sexual abuse with HIV risk behaviors in adolescence and young adulthood: Implications for public health

This paper explores the relationship between changes in HIV risk behaviors and physical and sexual abuse. A stratified random sampling procedure selected 602 youths from a sample of 2,787 patients seen consecutively at public health clinics in 10 cities. Face-to-face structured interviews conducted since 1984–1985 provide a history of change in risk behavior from adolescence to young adulthood. Univariate and bivariate analyses assessed differences in demographic and number and type of risk behaviors between those experiencing single or multiple types of abuse and those with no abuse history at all. The results show that a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or rape is related to engaging in a variety of HIV risk behaviors and to a continuation or increase in the total number of these behaviors between adolescence and young adulthood. This information might help practitioners to both prevent initial involvement in HIV risk behaviors and to prevent continuation of behaviors as youths move into young adulthood.

WHEN THE ELDERLY ARE ABUSED: CHARACTERISTICS AND INTERVENTION

This study examined the phenomenon of elder abuse through the systematic review of 60 cases. Research questions examined the characteristics of the victims and abusers, types and duration of abuse, descriptions of abusive situations, the reporting and verification of abuse, case management strategies utilized by caseworkers, and the consequences of those strategies. The study provides descriptions of the various types of abuse: physical, financial, emotional, passive neglect, and active neglect. Financial abuse was noted most frequently, and multiple types of abuse were noted in most cases with the combination of physical, financial, and emotional abuse being observed most frequently. Fifteen different categories of case management strategies were examined, averaging four different assistance strategies per case. Legal services appeared to be the most often refused form of assistance. The study found no evidence that those who abuse the elderly are being prosecuted. The educational implications of the research are also cited and discussed.