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Physical Punishment/Maltreatment During Childhood and Adjustment in Young Adulthood

NCJ Number
168017
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 21 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1997) Pages: 617-630
Author(s)
D M Fergusson; M T Lynskey
Date Published
1997
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Data were collected over the course of an 18-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1,265 New Zealand children to study the relationships between retrospective reports of physical punishment and maltreatment and adjustment difficulties at 18 years of age.
Abstract
Retrospective reports of exposure to physical punishment and maltreatment were obtained at 18 years of age. The cohort was also assessed on measures of psychosocial adjustment, including juvenile offending, substance abuse, and psychiatric disorders. Young people reporting exposure to harsh or abusive treatment during childhood had elevated rates of juvenile offending, substance abuse, and mental health problems. Subsequent analysis using logistic regression methods, however, showed much of the elevated risk exhibited by this group was explained by social and contextual factors that were associated with patterns of childhood punishment and maltreatment. Nonetheless, even after controlling for confounding factors, those reporting harsh or abusive childhood experiences were at increased risk of violent offending, suicide attempts, being a victim of violence, and alcohol abuse. The study leads to three major conclusions: (1) those exposed to harsh or abusive treatment during childhood constitute an at-risk population for juvenile offending, substance abuse, and mental health problems; (2) much of this elevated risk arises from the social context in which harsh or abusive treatment occurs; and (3) exposure to abuse appears to increase the risk of involvement in violent behavior and alcohol abuse. 41 references and 4 tables