Multi-type child maltreatment: prevalence and its relationship with self-esteem among secondary school students in Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundChild maltreatment is becoming predominantly multi-type in nature. Studies report that multi-type child maltreatment is associated with low self-esteem in adolescence and adulthood. There is a lack of published studies in Tanzania regarding multi-type child maltreatment and its relationship with self-esteem in adolescence. This study investigates the prevalence of multi-type child maltreatment and its relationship with self-esteem among secondary school students in Tanzania.MethodsA cross-sectional, community-based study of secondary school students was conducted in randomly selected secondary schools in Tanzania. A multistage cluster sampling technique was employed to obtain the required number of study participants. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire were used to measure the variables under investigation in the study. A total of 1000 participants (M: F ratio = 1.2:1) were studied. The mean age at presentation was 16.24 ± 7.36 years. The modal age group was 16–18 years (54.2%).ResultsThe prevalence of multi-type child maltreatment was 97.6%. The prevalence of physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect emotional abuse and sexual abuse was 82.1, 26.2, 51.9, 21.8 and 24.7%, respectively. Females reported a higher prevalence of physical abuse (84.3%), physical neglect (28.0%) and sexual abuse (26.2%) than their male counterparts. Emotional abuse (53.3%) was reported more often by males. In terms of ACE, participants were classified as having zero (2.4%), one (22.4%), two (20.3%), three (18.2%), four (14.7%), five (12.8%) and over five (9.2%) types of maltreatment.With regard to multi-type child maltreatment, emotional abuse (X2 = 2.925, p = 0.001), emotional neglect (X2 = 2.329, p = 0.032), physical neglect (X2 = 22.508, p < 0.001) and physical abuse (X2 = 6.722, p = 0.036) were significantly associated with low self-esteem.ConclusionThe current study demonstrates that multi-type child maltreatment exists in Tanzania and has adversely affected self-esteem among secondary school students. We believe that this study has significantly added to the body of literature on child maltreatment by investigating exposure to 10 types of ACEs as opposed to single types, as the majority of previous studies have investigated.

Impact of intimate partner violence and childhood maltreatment on maternal–infant maltreatment: A longitudinal study

“…One possible reason for the phenomenon is that pregnant women with poly‐victimizations of IPV and childhood maltreatment may find it more difficult to disclose their problems and seek help; this may worsen their psychosocial health, exacerbate psychosocial problems like depression and a lack of social support (Kita, Haruna, et al, 2020; Saint Arnault, 2009), and result in maternal–infant maltreatment after childbirth. The majority of the victims of childhood maltreatment tend to suffer on disclosing their experiences and seeking help, possibly due to their insecure attachment style, low self‐esteem, and feelings of guilt, shame, and self‐blame (MacGinley, Breckenridge, & Mowll, 2019; Mwakanyamale et al, 2018; Worsley et al, 2018). In addition, women abused by their partners tend to not present help‐seeking behavior due to their fear of worsening the level of violence received by them and being criticized and discriminated against, as well as developing hopeful feelings toward themselves and other people (Bancroft & Silverman, 2004; Fanslow & Robinson, 2010; Fugate et al, 2005; Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet in Japan, 2017; Krug et al, 2002).…”

“…Undeniably, the occurrences of emotional and physical IPV in adulthood were 1.8–3.9 and 1.76–2.76 times higher among children who had experienced physical, emotional, and sexual maltreatment in childhood than those who had not experienced any maltreatment (Abajobir et al, 2017). Such an association may be related to long‐term adverse mental health conditions, such as: depression; anxiety; drug maltreatment; risky sexual behavior; poor self‐esteem (Krug, Dahlberg, Mercy, Zwi, & Lozano, 2002; Mwakanyamale, Wande, & Yizhen, 2018; Norman et al, 2012); higher acceptance of violence (Bancroft & Silverman, 2004); and an insecure attachment style, including anxious attachment (Cohen et al, 2017; Worsley, McIntyre, Bentall, & Corcoran, 2018). Such symptoms indicate that pregnant women who experience poly‐victimizations of IPV during pregnancy and childhood maltreatment likely have a more damaged perinatal mental health and a compromised future relationship with the baby than women experiencing either IPV or childhood maltreatment without any violence.…”

Linking Childhood Maltreatment and Psychological Symptoms: The Role of Social Support, Coping Styles, and Self-Esteem in Adolescents

“…Journal of Interpersonal Violence 00(0) childhood maltreatment experiences increase the probability of low selfesteem (Mwakanyamale et al, 2018), which may endanger individuals in a greater risk of further psychological symptoms (Freire & Ferreira, 2020;Kalemi et al, 2019). Kalemi et al (2019) detected the association between lower self-esteem and higher levels of aggression among women.…”

Faktor Risiko Depresi Antenatal Di Puskesmas Jagir Dan Tanah Kali Kedinding Surabaya

“…Sedangkan dampak bagi ibu yakni (Menesez, et al 2007;Hapisah et al, 2010;Babenko, O et al, 2015). Faktor-faktor yang dapat memengaruhi depresi pada kehamilan yakni; 1) Faktor biologis meliputi riwayat depresi perinatal, riwayat depresi/gangguan psikologis pada keluarga, riwayat PMDD, kadar neurotransmitter (terutama serotonin), dan status obstetrik (usia, riwayat keguguran dan cara persalinan, keluhan dan risiko kehamilan); 2) Faktor psikologis meliputi tipe kepribadian, fungsi kognitif dan citra diri (self esteem), riwayat child abuse, peristiwa kehidupan yang negatif dalam setahun terakhir, dan jenis mekanisme koping; dan 3) Faktor sosial meliputi konflik perkawinan, kehamilan tidak diinginkan, dukungan keluarga, pasangan dan sosial, dan kesulitan kondisi finansial (Kessler, et al, 2003;Leigh, b et al, 2008;Jae Lee Et Al, 2015;Nasri, 2017;Muhdi, 2018). Instrumen untuk menilai gejala depresi pada ibu hamil menggunakan skala EPDS.…”