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Differential Correlates of Multi-Type Maltreatment Among Urban Youth

NCJ Number
218764
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2007 Pages: 393-415
Author(s)
Catalina M. Arata; Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling; David Bowers; Natalie O'Brien
Date Published
April 2007
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined the different effects of multiple types of maltreatment among a sample of adolescents.
Abstract
Results found that approximately two-thirds of the urban adolescent sample reported experiencing some type of maltreatment. The findings further indicated that the experience of only one type of maltreatment was rare. Most cases involved co-occurring maltreatment experiences. Neglect was the type of maltreatment most likely to be experienced alone while physical and sexual abuse rarely occurred alone. The combination of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect was nearly twice as likely as the occurrence of these types of maltreatment alone. The results support previous research that has found high rates in the co-occurrence of different types of child maltreatment. The findings underscore the importance of independently measuring emotional abuse and neglect and considering their co-occurrence with other types of maltreatment. Future research on the effects of maltreatment should focus on both the context of the abuse and the adolescent’s perceptions about their maltreatment experiences. Participants were 1,452 middle and high school adolescents who were recruited from urban schools and from a mandated early warning truancy program. Participants completed a self-report survey that measured demographic characteristics, child maltreatment, depression, suicide proneness, hopelessness, delinquency, hostility, substance use, and promiscuity. The analysis categorized participants into groups of different combinations of maltreatment based on their reports of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse. Statistical data analysis included the use of chi-square and MANOVA analyses. Tables, references

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