Prevalence Of Childhood Physical Abuse Research Articles

Association between childhood physical abuse and suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents: The mediation of aggression

BackgroundAlthough previous studies have examined many predictors of suicidal behaviors. However, little is known for childhood physical abuse (CPA) and aggression, which are prevalent among adolescents. This study aimed to explore association between CPA and suicidal behaviors, and the potential mediating role of aggression. MethodA total of 16,111 students graded 7 to 12 were recruited using a stratified cluster sampling across five representative provinces in China. Conflict Tactics Scale-Parents to Child (CTS-PC) and Buss and Warren's Aggression Questionnaire (BWAQ) were used to measure CPA and aggression, respectively. ResultsDuring the last year, 16.0 % of adolescents reported suicidal behaviors. Specifically, 7.9 % were suicide ideators, 4.6 % were planners, and 3.5 % were attempters. The prevalence of CPA in mild, moderate, and severe was 15.7 %, 26.9 %, and 4.4 %, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that moderate and severe CPA and overall aggression were associated with suicide ideators, planners, and attempters. In five sub-types of aggression, only hostility was significantly associated with all three suicidal behaviors. Structural equation modelling showed that aggression partially mediate the relationship between CPA and suicidal behaviors. The mediation proportion of overall aggression, physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, hostility, and indirect aggression were 27.2 %, 22.4 %, 5.2 %, 14.2 %, 23.5 %, and 12.1 %, respectively. LimitationsCross-sectional design, self-reported questionnaire, and no other forms of childhood maltreatment. ConclusionsCPA is a critical risk factor of suicidal behaviors among Chinese adolescents and aggression is a mediator between CPA and suicidal behaviors. Targeted suicide prevention should focus on those adolescents who report CPA and aggression, especially for hostility.

Childhood physical abuse and subsequent violent victimization among people who use illegal drugs in Vancouver, Canada.

BackgroundViolent victimization is common among people who use illegal drugs (PWUD) and is a source of significant health-related harm. However, little attention has been paid to how antecedent childhood trauma among PWUD may contribute to the risk of victimization in adulthood.ObjectiveThis study sought to examine the relationship between childhood physical abuse and victimization by physical assault among adult PWUD.Participants and settingData were derived from three prospective cohorts of PWUD in Vancouver, Canada between 2005 and 2018.MethodsChildhood physical abuse was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed modeling was used to estimate the relationship between childhood physical abuse and subsequent violent victimization, after adjustment for potential confounders.ResultsAmong 2960 PWUD, including 1018 (34.39%) female participants, 1030 (34.8%) participants reported a history of moderate to severe childhood physical abuse, and 949 (32.06%) participants reported recent violent victimization at baseline. In a multivariate analysis, childhood physical abuse (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–1.46) remained independently associated with violent victimization after adjustment for potential confounders.ConclusionsThis study found a high prevalence of childhood physical abuse and that this was associated with a higher risk of subsequent violent victimization among PWUD in this setting. Greater support for PWUD with a history of childhood physical abuse is needed to decrease existing vulnerability to violence, including screening for and treatment of childhood trauma and related violence prevention.

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Prevalence of Child Physical Abuse among School Children in Mosul City\North of Iraq

Background and Aims: Physical abuse is the most critical problem in Mosul city children and the extent ofphysical abuse is currently unknown. Aim of this study to determine the prevalence of physical abuse amongsample of Mosul schoolchildren, aged 12–18 years.Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out from 1st, December 2018 to 4th March 2019.The settings chosen by multicultural sampling with a systematic sampling technique of 800 child (396 maleand 404 female) using a self-reported questionnaire.Result: A total of 800 intermediate school children, age group 14-15 years represent 43.6%, male to femaleratio 1:1, 36.1% of these had experienced physical abuse and 32.6% abused by mothers. The relationshipbetween the parent educations and father’s job shows high significant rate 0.000, 0.004.Conclusion: physical abuse Mosul city had high prevalent in comparison with others. Psychological andphysical problems of children were the main predictors.

The prevalence of child maltreatment among Chinese primary and middle school students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to provide an estimate of the prevalence of child maltreatment among Chinese primary and middle school students. An attempt was also made to explore the causes of heterogeneity by analyzing stratified variables and other potentially related factors included in the study. Literature retrieval has been carried out in the databases, including Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database and China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc), for relevant published studies up to October 2019. The Cochran's chi-squared test (Cochran's Q), I2 test and subgroup analysis were performed to evaluate the heterogeneity. Funnel plots were used to detect publication bias. Trim-and-fill method was performed to identify possible asymmetry and assess the robustness of the conclusions. A total of 1433 studies were obtained after retrieval. Finally, 19 eligible studies were included in meta-analysis after detailed exclusion. The pooled prevalence of child physical abuse (CPA), child emotional abuse (CEA), child sexual abuse (CSA), child physical neglect (CPN) and child emotional neglect (CEN) were 0.20 (95% CI 0.13, 0.27), 0.30 (95% CI 0.20, 0.39), 0.12 (95% CI 0.09, 0.15), 0.47 (95% CI 0.35, 0.58) and 0.44 (95% CI 0.28, 0.59), respectively. In subgroup analyses, a higher prevalence of CEN was reported in rural areas. Meanwhile, the prevalence of CPN and CEN in non-only child group was higher than that observed in only child group. Compared with children without mental symptoms, children with mental symptoms have a higher incidence of all categories of child maltreatment. In terms of assessment tools, studies using Childhood Trauma Questionnaire as an assessment tool reported lower prevalence of CPA, CEA. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire In addition, the prevalence of CPN, CEN in studies conducted in northern China was significantly higher than that estimated in southern and central China. For CSA, eight additional studies required trimming according to the trim-and-fill analysis, and the pooled estimate was 0.042 after filling. For CPA, CEA, CPN and CEN, there were no indications of publication with the trim and fill method (data unchanged). Our findings indicated that primary and middle school students had a relatively high prevalence of maltreatment. Because of the visible heterogeneity of the studies included, more large samples, high-quality and prospective studies are needed in the future to acquire the accurate prevalence of child maltreatment in China. Certainly, future research needs to focus not only on the estimate of prevalence of child maltreatment, but also on risk factors and intervention strategies for child maltreatment.

Children's Disclosures of Physical Abuse in a Population-Based Sample.

Few studies have explored the disclosure of child physical abuse although child sexual abuse disclosure has been widely studied and debated for years. The present study explores the characteristics of child physical abuse disclosures and compares them to previously published findings on child sexual abuse disclosure from the same data. The data consist of a representative sample of 11,364 sixth and ninth graders. Participants responded to a wide variety of questions concerning experiences of violence, including child physical abuse and child sexual abuse, in the Finnish Child Victim Survey conducted in 2013. Within this sample, the prevalence of child physical abuse was 4.1%. Children reporting abuse experiences also responded to questions regarding disclosure, reactions encountered during disclosure, and potential reasons for nondisclosure. Findings show that most of the children who disclosed physical violence had disclosed to their mother. The overall disclosure rate of child physical abuse was 74%. However, only 42% had disclosed to adults, and even fewer had reported their experiences to authorities (12%). The most common reason for nondisclosure was that the youth did not consider the experience sufficiently serious to report (53%). These findings were largely in line with the child sexual abuse disclosure rates in our previous study. Analyses of variables associated with disclosing to an adult indicate that the strongest factors predicting disclosure to an adult are younger age, female gender, no previous experiences of child physical abuse, and parents knowing who their child spends her or his spare time with. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.

Eight‐Year Period Prevalence of Physical Abuse in Hospitalised Infants and Corresponding In‐hospital Mortality in France

Child abuse is a global public health issue; however, there is a severe lack of reliable epidemiological data. This study estimates the period prevalence of child physical abuse requiring hospitalisation and the corresponding in‐hospital mortality, using the French medico‐administrative database. We included all children less than one year old who were hospitalised from 2007 to 2014. Three groups were defined: group one – physically abused children; group two – possible physically abused children; and group three – all other hospitalised children. Estimation of the national eight‐year period prevalence of physical abuse among hospitalised children was equivalent to the number of children included in group one or groups one and two divided by the number of children aged less than one year in France from 2007 to 2014. Infants hospitalised for physical abuse represent between 0.04 per cent (group 1) and 0.10 per cent (groups 1 and 2) of all children less than one year old in France, which corresponds to 0.28 per cent (group 1) and 0.74 per cent (groups 1 and 2) of all hospitalised children (less than one year old). Hospital mortality at first admission ranged from 2.93 per cent (group 1) to 2.36 per cent (groups 1 and 2). To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide an estimation of the period prevalence of child physical abuse requiring hospitalisation in France and the corresponding in‐hospital mortality. More effective prevention strategies are needed to help health professionals identify and protect at‐risk children. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Messages The average hospital stay for physically abused children was much longer than for other children. The in‐hospital mortality rate is higher for physically abused children than for those with other trauma‐related cases. Identifying and coding child abuse accurately is an important step towards understanding the extent of this public health problem.

The Toxic Triad: Childhood Exposure to Parental Domestic Violence, Parental Addictions, and Parental Mental Illness as Factors Associated With Childhood Physical Abuse.

Childhood physical abuse can result in serious behavioral, mental health, and physical health conditions. There is a need for improved strategies to identify households in which childhood physical abuse occurs. This article explores three potential correlates of childhood physical abuse: childhood exposure to parental domestic violence, parental addictions, and parental mental illness. Secondary analyses were conducted using the regionally representative 2010 Brief Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) of adults (n = 9,241 men, n = 13,627 women) and the analyses were replicated in the 2012 BRFSS (n = 11,656 men, n = 18,145 women). Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Approximately one-quarter of the sample was Hispanic and/or Non-White. In 2010, 78.3% of men who had been exposed to all three of these early adversities reported that they had experienced childhood physical abuse compared with 7.5% of males who did not experience these adversities. Women reported similar levels of childhood physical abuse (66.9% for those reporting all three factors, 5.9% for those with zero risk factors). The 2012 BRFSS analyses resulted in comparable findings. Domestic violence, even in the absence of parental addictions and mental illness, was associated with a high prevalence of childhood physical abuse (between 34% and 38%). Currently, the World Health Organization cautions against routine screening for child abuse due to the high rate of false positives. We propose a two-step strategy to improve targeting: first, identifying households in which two or more adversities exist, and subsequently screening children in these households. Our findings will help improve the targeting of screening and outreach efforts to children most at risk, thereby minimizing the risk of false positives. Our data provide support for universal screening for childhood physical abuse in cases of domestic violence, particularly for those families where parental addictions and/or parental mental illness also exist.

Children's exposure to physical abuse from a child perspective: A population-based study in rural Bangladesh.

BackgroundAlthough child physical abuse (CPA) is considered as a major global public health problem, it has not yet been recognized as such in Bangladesh. Very few studies have assessed the prevalence and victims’ characteristics of multiple forms of CPA.ObjectiveThis population-based study assessed the prevalence of CPA committed by adults in a rural area of Bangladesh and examined its association with demographic and socio-contextual factors.MethodsData were obtained using ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool for Children (ICAST-C) in a random sample of 1416 children (49% girls, 51% boys) aged 11 to 17 years by face-to-face interviews during March-April 2017. The response rate was 91.5%. To estimate predictors of CPA, physical abuse was categorized into frequent and less frequent groups.ResultsThe prevalence of at least one form (≥ 1), two forms (≥2) and three or more forms (≥ 3) of CPA were estimated approximately to 99%, 95% and 83% in their lifetime and 93%, 79%, and 57% in the past year respectively. Hitting (except on buttocks), standing/kneeling and slapping were the most common physical abuse whereas given drugs or alcohol, pinched, burned or scalded, beaten-up and locked up were less reported. Female children were faced severe forms of CPA more than that of males. Male children, younger age groups, witnessing adults using weapons at home, bullied by siblings and low level of maternal education were found to be significant risk factors for both ≥ 1 form and ≥ 2 forms of frequent CPA whereas adding also adult shouting in a frightening way was found as a significant risk factor for ≥ 2 forms of frequent CPA.ConclusionSelf-reported prevalence of CPA is extremely common in the Bangladeshi rural society. The prevalence was associated with demographic and socio-contextual characteristics of the children such as being younger, witnessing domestic violence and maternal low education. The findings provide evidence to support parents and policy-makers to take effective measures to implement policy and programme on alternative up-bringing methods and creating awareness of negative effects of CM which in turn help Bangladesh to line up with UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the country signed in 1990.

The impact of gender and childhood abuse on age of psychosis onset, psychopathology and needs for care in psychosis patients

Gender is associated with several features of psychotic disorders, including age of illness onset, symptomatology, a higher prevalence of history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and needs for care. Childhood sexual abuse is associated with adverse mental health consequences but as there is a gender difference in stress reactivity, there may be a differential impact of CSA on psychopathology, age of psychosis onset and needs for care in First Episode Psychosis (FEP) patients. We hypothesized that a history of abuse would be associated with lowering of age of onset, increased symptomatology and more unmet needs in women but not men. A total of 444 FEP patients have been recruited within the context of the GET UP trial. Symptomatology has been assessed using the PANSS scale, needs for care with the CAN scale and childhood abuse with the CECA-Q scale. Childhood sexual abuse was more frequent among female patients [22.6% in women vs 11.6% in men (OR = 0.45, p < 0.01)], whereas there was no gender difference in the prevalence of childhood physical abuse (29.0% in women vs 31.7% in men). Childhood abuse was associated with higher levels of negative symptoms in both men and women, with a reduced age of onset in women only and little increase in needs for care in both men and women. Our results seem to suggest that childhood sexual abuse in female FEP patients may be linked to a more severe form of psychosis whose presentation is characterized by earlier age of onset and higher levels of negative symptoms and we can also speculate that gender-specific protective factors in women, but not in men, may be outweighed by the consequences of childhood abuse.

Childhood physical and sexual abuse, and adult health risk behaviours among university students from 24 countries in Africa, the Americas and Asia

The goal of this study was to retrospectively estimate the prevalence of childhood physical abuse (CPA) and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in relation to experience of adult violence, poor mental health, addictive behaviour and sexual risk behaviour among university students from 24 countries in Africa, the Americas and Asia. In a cross-sectional survey, data were collected from 18 404 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.7, SD = 2.9, age range of 16–30 years) from 24 countries. Overall, 5.0%, 2.6% and 1.2% of the students reported childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse and childhood physical and sexual abuse, respectively. In the logistic regression models, adjusting for age, sex, study year, family wealth, and country, having experienced CPA and CSA was associated with increased odds of having any adult violence (physical and sexual partner violence victimisation. Having been in a physical fight, and weapon carrying), any poor mental health (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression symptoms and sleeping problems), addictive behaviour (tobacco use, binge drinking, frequent gambling and obesity) and sexual risk-taking was higher with a self-reported history of CPA and CSA.

Schizophrenia clinical symptom differences in women vs. men with and without a history of childhood physical abuse.

BackgroundChildhood abuse has been implicated as an environmental factor that increases the risk for developing schizophrenia. A recent large population-based case–control study found that abuse may be a risk factor for schizophrenia in women, but not men. Given the sex differences in onset and clinical course of schizophrenia, we hypothesized that childhood abuse may cause phenotypic differences in the disorder between men and women.MethodsWe examined the prevalence of childhood physical abuse in a cohort of men and women with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Specifically, we examined differences in positive, negative, cognitive and depressive symptoms in men and women who reported a history of childhood physical abuse. We recruited 100 subjects for a single visit and assessed a history of childhood physical abuse using the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and clinical symptoms and cognition using the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), the calgary depression scale (CDS) and the repeatable battery of the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) for cognition.ResultsNinety-two subjects completed the full CTQ with abuse classified as definitely present, definitely absent or borderline. Twelve subjects who reported borderline abuse scores were excluded. Of the 80 subjects whose data was analyzed, 10 of 24 (41.6 %) women and 11 of 56 (19.6 %) men reported a history of childhood physical abuse (χ2 = 4.21, df = 1, p = 0.04). Women who reported such trauma had significantly more psychotic (sex by abuse interaction; F = 4.03, df = 1.76, p = 0.048) and depressive (F = 4.23, df = 1.76, p = 0.04) symptoms compared to women who did not have a trauma history and men, regardless of trauma history. There were no differences in negative or cognitive symptoms.ConclusionsWomen with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder may represent a distinct phenotype or subgroup with distinct etiologies and may require different, individually tailored treatments.

The burden of child maltreatment in the East Asia and Pacific region

This study estimated the health and economic burden of child maltreatment in the East Asia and Pacific region, addressing a significant gap in the current evidence base. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the prevalence of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and witnessing parental violence. Population Attributable Fractions were calculated and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost from physical and mental health outcomes and health risk behaviors attributable to child maltreatment were estimated using the most recent comparable Global Burden of Disease data. DALY losses were converted into monetary value by assuming that one DALY is equal to the sub-region's per capita GDP. The estimated economic value of DALYs lost to violence against children as a percentage of GDP ranged from 1.24% to 3.46% across sub-regions defined by the World Health Organization. The estimated economic value of DALYs (in constant 2000 US$) lost to child maltreatment in the EAP region totaled US $151 billion, accounting for 1.88% of the region's GDP. Updated to 2012 dollars, the estimated economic burden totaled US $194 billion. In sensitivity analysis, the aggregate costs as a percentage of GDP range from 1.36% to 2.52%. The economic burden of child maltreatment in the East Asia and Pacific region is substantial, indicating the importance of preventing and responding to child maltreatment in this region. More comprehensive research into the impact of multiple types of childhood adversity on a wider range of putative health outcomes is needed to guide policy and programs for child protection in the region, and globally.

Prevalence of Child Abuse in Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2015: A Review of thet Literature

Unfortunately, there have been only limited reports about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in Saudi Arabia (SA). Determining the magnitude and extent of this phenomenon is essential to construct an effective strategy to counter and prevent it. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in SA over the past 15 years (2000-2015). Studies were gathered by reviewing published papers in the Medline and Google Scholar databases reporting the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in SA over the past 15 years. In 2007, the prevalences of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect in previous studies were 70%, 15%, and 15%, respectively. Between 2000 and 2008, the prevalence of child physical abuse and neglect was greater than other forms of abuse. Additionally, the annual report of the National Family Safety Registry noted the same findings. In 2014, a study in Al-Kharj found that psychological abuse was most prevalent among teenagers. In conclusion, child physical abuse and child neglect were the most prevalent forms of abuse over the last 15 years, whereas the recognition of emotional abuse started late compared with other forms of abuse. Awareness of the phenomenon of child abuse and neglect is improving in SA. Consequently, the detection and reporting of such cases are growing across the nation.

A meta-analysis of child physical abuse prevalence in China

This study estimated the prevalence of child physical abuse in China, compared Chinese prevalence with international and Asian estimates, and ascertained whether some differences in sample characteristics and methodological factors (e.g., time prevalence, definitional or regional difference) help explain variations in Chinese rates. Based on a meta-analysis of 47 studies found in English- and Chinese-language peer-reviewed journals that involved general populations of students or residents reporting child physical abuse prior to age 18, the life time prevalence of any child physical abuse in China was estimated at 36.6% (95% CI: 30.4–42.7), which was significantly higher than either the international or the Asian estimate in Stoltenborgh et al.’s (2013) study. Chinese prevalence was estimated at 43.1% (95% CI: 36.6–52.5) for minor physical abuse, 26.6% (95% CI: 21.4–31.8) for severe physical abuse, and 7.8% (95% CI: 5.0–10.5) for very severe physical abuse. Subgroup analysis found a significant difference between lifetime and 12-month or less prevalence only for minor physical abuse. The prevalence of any and minor child physical abuse in mainland China was significantly higher than that in non-mainland China. The mainland and non-mainland difference was significant even controlling for definitional and methodological factors as well as sample characteristics. The findings suggested the need to develop educational programs to promote non-violent parenting particularly in mainland China.

Psychiatric and Physical Sequelae of Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse and Forced Sexual Trauma Among Individuals With Serious Mental Illness

Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently co-occur with serious mental illness, yet the unique mental and physical health influences of childhood physical abuse (CPA), childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and forced sexual trauma on individuals with serious mental illness remain unevaluated. The present study of 172 individuals with serious mental illness investigated the adverse effects of CPA, CSA, and forced sexual trauma on severity of PTSD and depression, and overall mental and physical health functioning. Data analysis consisted of chi-square tests, independent t tests, bivariate odds ratios, and linear regressions. Prevalence of CPA (44.8%), CSA (29.1%), and forced sexual trauma (33.1%) were elevated, and nearly one third of participants (31.4%) reported clinical PTSD. Participants exposed to CSA or forced sexual trauma evidenced bivariate ORs ranging from 4.13 to 7.02 for PTSD, 2.44 to 2.50 for major depression, and 2.14 to 2.31 for serious physical illness/disability. Sexual trauma exposure associated with heightened PTSD and depression, and reduced mental and physical health functioning, with CSA uniquely predicting PTSD, depression, and physical health difficulties. CPA less significantly affected these clinical domains. Sexual traumas have profound negative effects on mental and physical health outcomes among individuals with serious mental illness; increased screening and treatment of sexual traumas is needed.

Is the cluster risk model of parental adversities better than the cumulative risk model as an indicator of childhood physical abuse?: findings from two representative community surveys

Screening strategies for childhood physical abuse (CPA) need to be improved in order to identify those most at risk. This study uses two regionally representative community samples to examine whether a cluster or cumulative model of risk indicators (i.e. parental divorce, parental unemployment, and parental addictions) explains a larger proportion of the variation in CPA. Data were drawn from Statistics Canada's National Population Health Survey (1994-1995) and Canadian Community Health Survey 3.1 (2005). Response rates were greater than 80% in both samples. Each survey had approximately 13,000 respondents aged 18 and over who answered questions about the above adverse childhood experiences. A gradient was shown with similar outcomes in each data set. Only 3.4% of adults who experienced none of the three risk indicators reported they had been physically abused during childhood or adolescence. The prevalence of CPA was greater among those who experienced parental divorce alone (8.3%-10.7%), parental unemployment alone (8.9%-9.7%) or parental addictions alone (18.0%-19.5%). When all three risk indicators were present, the prevalence of CPA ranged from 36.0%-41.0% and the age-sex-race adjusted odds were greater than 15 times that of individuals with none of the three risk indicators. The cluster model explained a statistically significantly larger proportion of the variation than the cumulative model although the difference between the two models was modest. For the purposes of parsimony, the cumulative model may be the better alternative. Adults who were exposed to two or more childhood risk indicators were much more likely to report that they were physically abused during their childhood than those with only one or no risk factors. Medical professionals may use this information on cumulative risk factors to more effectively target screening for potential CPA. Future research should include prospective studies.

The Correlation of Childhood Physical Abuse History and Later Abuse in a Group of Turkish Population

Domestic violence is passed from one generation to the next, and it affects not only the victim but also the psychological states of the witnesses, and especially the psychosocial development of children. Studies have reported that those who have been the victim of or witnessing violence during their childhood will use violence to a greater extent as adults in their own families. This research examines the relationships between a history of childhood physical abuse, likelihood of psychiatric diagnoses, and potential for being a perpetrator of childhood physical abuse in adulthood among women who received psychiatric treatment and in the healthy population from Turkey. Estimates of the prevalence of childhood physical abuse vary depending on definition and setting. The frequency of witnessing and undergoing physical abuse within the family during childhood is much higher in the psychiatrically disordered group than the healthy controls. Childhood physical abuse history is one of the major risk factors for being an abuser in adulthood. The best indicator of physically abusing one's own children was found to be as physical abuse during the childhood period rather than psychiatric diagnosis. There is a large body of research indicating that adults who have been abused as children are more likely to abuse their own children than adults without this history. This is an important study from the point of view that consequences of violence can span generations. Further studies with different risk factor and populations will help to identify different dimensions of the problem.

Child physical abuse and the related PTSD in Taiwan: The role of Chinese cultural background and victims’ subjective reactions

Objective This study aimed to investigate child physical abuse (CPA) while taking into account the more rigorous definitions of CPA in the Chinese societies. The prevalence of CPA and CPA-related PTSD were estimated, together with the examination of peri-traumatic subjective reactions and their impacts on PTSD. Methods In a Taiwanese sample of 1966 4th to 8th graders, the Chinese version of UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-IV ( Steinberg, Brymer, Decker, & Pynoos, 2004) was used to investigate the lifetime exposure to CPA. A sub-sample of 236 traumatized CPA victims was examined with respect to related PTSD symptoms. Results Thirty-four percent of the children had been exposed to CPA. The estimated current prevalence of full and partial PTSD was 13.6% and 16.9%, respectively. Conclusions The current CPA prevalence was found to be higher than the Western countries, but lower than the previous findings in other East Asian societies. The full PTSD prevalence was close to the findings in the Western countries, whereas sub-clinical PTSD was less observed in Taiwan. Peri-traumatic subjective reactions, that is, Criterion A2 and perceived threat, were shown to be major predictors of PTSD symptom severity. The role of attitudes of child discipline in the Chinese societies in the prevalence of CPA and CPA-related PTSD is discussed. Practice implications By providing explicit epidemiological information of CPA and CPA-related PTSD in Taiwan, the current study extends our understanding of CPA and CPA-related PTSD more broadly from Western countries to the Eastern societies. By separately investigating CPA relating to different perpetrators, cross-study comparison is enhanced. In the current study, the significance of considering cultural background in defining CPA and examining CPA-related PTSD was pointed out. Meanwhile, the role of victims’ subjective reactions in the psychopathology of PTSD is highlighted. The findings and discussions could contribute for generating a more sophisticated clinical practice, especially with Asian or Chinese cases.

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.