Mother’s IPV, Child Maltreatment Type and the Presence of PTSD in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

This correlational cross-sectional study was designed to investigate whether the intimate partner violence (IPV) suffered by mothers (physical and psychological maltreatment), child eyewitness of psychological and physical maltreatment suffered by the mother, the neglect suffered by children, and the maltreatment (physical and psychological) directly suffered by children are statistically associated to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms exhibited by the child. In addition, the prevalence of child PTSD was estimated, as well as the concordance between the PTSD symptoms assessed by the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for child PTSD. The sample consisted of 152 Spanish children aged 8 to 17 and their mothers, who were recruited from Centers of Specialized Assistance for Women Victims of IPV. PTSD prevalence was 20.4%. The results of a canonical correlation analysis showed that the two types of maltreatment with the largest contribution to the canonical variable were physical maltreatment directly suffered by the child, and child eyewitness of physical maltreatment suffered by the mother. The potential developmental pathway of PTSD when both children and mothers suffer severe maltreatment needs to be examined, and this will contribute to the choice of the most effective type of specialized intervention.

The Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment and Risky Sexual Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis

“…In addition, trauma symptoms appear to be an important explanation for the link [48]. Childhood maltreatment may cause a range of internalizing problems in childhood and cause trauma symptoms by distorting the child’s concept of self and others, world view, or affective capacities, making victims vulnerable to RSBs during adolescence or adulthood [9,49,50]. Evidence shows shame, feelings of betrayal or powerlessness components of trauma symptoms in individuals experiencing CEA and CSA may reduce awareness of protective behaviors, in particular contraceptive use [51,52,53].…”

Measuring the Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences by Survey Research Methods

“…Numerous studies have shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs, including forms of child maltreatment and household dysfunctions) are major risk factors for acute and chronic somatic and mental diseases such as anxiety or post-traumatic disorders mediated by risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide attempts, aggressive behaviors, risky sexual behaviors, and low mental resilience [12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20]. Previous studies provided strong evidence that ACEs tend to co-occur in which intergenerational transmission of adversity might be a contributing factor [21,22,23,24].…”

The impact of abuse and neglect in childhood on the development of substance use disorders

“…У тех лиц, кто перенес особо тяжелые формы насилия или отделение от семьи и бездомность, чаще формируется посттравматический стрессовый синдром. Возникающие в рамках посттравматического стрессового расстройства тягостные навязчивые воспоминания способствуют использованию ПАВ с целью самолечения как попытки избежать эти воспоминания [20][21][22].…”