Childhood Maltreatment and Mental and Physical Health in Haitian Adults

Abstract

Rates of childhood maltreatment were high in this sample of Haitian adults, and their childhood maltreatment was related to physical and mental health symptoms in adulthood.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Haiti

“…15,43,45,47 The high burden of psychological distress among the adult population, many of whom are parents, unquestionably impacts the adjustment and emotional health of their children. 41,50 Estimates of neurodevelopmental disabilities and disorders, such as epilepsy and intellectual disabilities, are unavailable, but the high rates of neonatal infections, birth injuries, and malnutrition that impact children in other low income countries have very likely resulted in disproportionately high prevalence in Haiti, too. 51 Children with cognitive and physical disabilities are at risk for abandonment and exploitation, and many children with physical and cognitive disabilities in Haiti, including epilepsy, do not attend school.…”

“…Abuse and neglect are thought to be common: one survey sample found that 60% of adult women and 85% of men had experienced abuse or neglect as children. 41 Studies of Haitian immigrant youth have noted extensive trauma in a variety of different contexts, including witness to political killings and torture and abuse by stepparents, as well as high rates of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 42,43 Working as a restavek; exposure to gang, political, and street violence; and leaving Haiti to work in the Dominican Republic, where mistreatment and abuse are common, almost certainly predispose children and adolescents to trauma and emotional distress.…”

Prevalence of History of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Consecutive Hospital Admissions of Women with Psychotic Diagnosis in Israel: A Preliminary Report

“…‘Abuse’ implies unwanted sexual contact, often with a relative, or sexual contact by an adult with a pre-pubertal child. A study of CSA outside of European or American culture can explore whether attitudes towards childhood sexuality are different in Jewish or other cultures [9,10,11]. We decided to interview subjects both on admission to the hospital in a psychotic state and again on discharge to evaluate the possibility that reports of sexual abuse in childhood are subject to unreliable reporting in psychosis [12,13,14].…”

Relationship between Family Abuse Experience, Social Maladaptation, Ego Resilience and Daily Life Satisfaction in University Students

“…Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), (Rew et al, 2001;Sagy & Dotan, 2001;Lee, 2006 Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000). Toth, 1998), (Colman & Widomb, 2004;Martsolf, 2004) Lopez and Heffer(1998) Park, 2006). Bandura, 1997).…”

“…Hong, 2000). Finklehor, 1998;DeLorme, 2004;Park, 2006) (Patrick, 1997;Hoglund & Leadbeater, 2004) Colman & Widomb, 2004;Martsolf, 2004) …”