Articles tagged with Child Abuse
Research from Northwestern University found that supportive relationships in midlife can partially compensate for mortality risks linked to childhood abuse. Adult self-reported social support was associated with a lower mortality risk, with the strongest effects seen among those who experienced childhood abuse.
A study published in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests that smaller social networks and feelings of loneliness are significant risk factors for late-life depression. The findings also emphasize the need to detect childhood abuse in adults with depression and consider it in treatment planning.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that child abuse and violence are associated with higher high school dropout rates, particularly among girls who experienced childhood violence. The study suggests that policies aimed at reducing violence against children may also help lower the national dropout rate.
The study suggests alternative terms like 'maternal abuse by children' to clarify the main victim. Researchers found that mothers are predominantly victims, followed by fathers, who often face abuse alongside their mothers. The study emphasizes the need for further research from a legal perspective.
A joint statement by world experts calls for caution in applying the Disorganised Infant Attachment classification to assess infant mental health and potential cases of abuse. The statement highlights the classification's limitations and suggests it should not be relied upon alone for child protection assessments.
A Sam Houston State University researcher is studying child abuse cases filed directly with police, aiming to strengthen the safety net for abused children in Texas. The study aims to determine if every child in need receives critical services at an earlier point in the investigation.
Researchers found reduced myelin coating thickness and molecular alterations in brains of adults who experienced severe childhood abuse. These changes may contribute to depressive disorders, suicidal behavior, and altered emotional processing.
A recent study found that children injured by a parent's partner, especially males, are more likely to suffer severe injuries. The research suggests that pre-emptive education and behavior modification strategies targeting these caregivers could protect more kids.
A recent national survey of over 200 prosecutors found that the Supreme Court's 2004 decision in Crawford v. Washington has had a limited impact on prosecuting child abuse cases. Nearly 42% of prosecutors reported that the need for child testimony and prosecutions decreased, while insufficient physical evidence was the primary reason f...
Adolescents who experienced physical or sexual abuse were more likely to engage in non-suicidal self-injury than their non-abused counterparts. Additionally, females with depression, ADHD, and mood disorders were at higher risk, while those with emotional support had lower rates of self-injury.
Research reveals that only one in five children with suspected child abuse-related serious injuries is treated at a designated major trauma centre. These children face nearly three times the mortality risk as those injured unintentionally.
New research by Lehigh University professor Michael Gill and Stephanie C. Cerce found that considering a wrongdoer's life history reduces harsh blame but doesn't change the perception of their free will. This approach, known as historicist narrative, can lead to more constructive prison systems and improved mental health.
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that childhood abuse impairs associative learning, contributing to misbehavior patterns later in life. Researchers discovered that abused children struggled with learning which stimuli were associated with rewards, leading to pessimism and poor decision-making.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that radiologists may be uniquely positioned to detect elder abuse due to their role in identifying injury patterns. However, most diagnostic radiologists have limited training or experience in this area, and all participants reported missing cases of elder abuse.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that children who experienced neglect and abuse are more likely to have time off work due to sickness and less likely to own their own homes by middle age. The researchers also identified poor reading and mathematics skills as a key factor contributing to these outcomes.
A new study by PolicyLab found that only 20% of medically diagnosed child abuse and neglect cases in US Army dependent children between 2004 and 2007 were substantiated. The rate is significantly lower than the civilian Child Protective Services rate, suggesting under-reporting or a breakdown in communication.
A new AI toolkit can automatically detect new child sexual abuse photos and videos in online peer-to-peer networks. The iCOP toolkit uses machine learning to flag new and previously unknown child sexual abuse media, with a high accuracy rate of 7.9% for images.
A Baylor University study found that good parent-child bonds are necessary to enforce healthy routines and social skills in children. Childhood socioeconomic status can provide physical health benefits, but only if accompanied by warm relationships with parents.
A study found that women who experienced severe physical or emotional abuse in childhood were at a higher risk of dying from all causes during adulthood. The association was not seen in men, and factors such as socioeconomic status and depression did not explain the increased risk.
A survey of over 1,300 physicians found that 96.7% recognized shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma as valid diagnoses, supported by scientific literature and clinical experience. The study aims to dispel controversy surrounding these conditions, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis for child care.
A survey of 628 US physicians reveals that shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma are widely accepted diagnoses among medical professionals. The study found that 88% of respondents acknowledged the validity of shaken baby syndrome, while 93% affirmed abusive head trauma as a diagnosis.
A new study finds that childhood adversities are associated with higher rates of adult insomnia, with specific combinations of events predicting mild, moderate-severe, or no insomnia. The research highlights the long-term impact of early life experiences on sleep health.
A new study by the University of Washington found that states' varying politics and approaches to social problems drive foster care entry. States with more punitive criminal justice systems tend to remove children from their homes far more frequently than those with generous welfare programs.
Researchers argue that mandatory FGM reporting as child abuse is not an effective solution and propose a three-step approach: educating health workers, women at risk, and incorporating antenatal screening. This proactive strategy relies on awareness, training, and proper documentation to make a positive change.
A study of the Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey found that child abuse experiences accounted for 28.7% of the burden of illness, while Afghanistan-related deployments contributed 8.7%. Child abuse was linked to various mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder.
Research from Purdue University reveals that childhood poverty and parental abuse can lead to a range of adult health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and smoking. The study, based on data from 1,748 adults, found that these early life experiences had a lasting impact on adult health outcomes.
A panel of experts estimates that child abuse costs countries billions of dollars each year, with the US facing estimated losses of $150 billion annually. The economic impact of violence against children is prevalent across all income levels and regions, with lower-income countries experiencing higher rates of abuse.
A survey of medical specialists found significant variability in the definition of reasonable medical certainty, with experts citing different probabilities and settings for interpretation.
Child abuse in youth-serving organizations is a problem but much less common than family maltreatment. Verbal abuse was reported by most YSO survivors, with physical abuse and neglect occurring at lower rates.
Child abuse exposure higher in Canadian military personnel than the general population, associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation and behaviors. The study suggests prevention efforts targeting child abuse exposure may help reduce suicide-related outcomes in both military and civilian populations.
Biological anthropologists use skeletal remains to understand how earlier peoples lived, while forensic experts decipher skeletal evidence to solve crimes. Researchers at North Carolina State University have published guidance on analyzing child-abuse victims to shed light on past cultures' treatment of children.
Researchers found that children who experienced a mix of positive and negative events, but particularly those with strong familial support, aged more successfully. These 'cherished' children formed supportive relationships, had greater life satisfaction, and experienced better aging outcomes.
A Sam Houston State University study found that mothers in abusive relationships are four times more likely to report threats against their children during the separation process. This indirect abuse can occur even after the relationship has ended and is a means for abusers to control victims.
A recent study by Queen's University researchers explored the attitudes and preferences of prospective adoptive parents in Ontario. The study found that those most open to adopting children with special needs had been formally seeking adoption for some time and had completed government-required SAFE assessments and training.
A large study found that infants under 12 months are most at risk of serious physical abuse, with severe injuries leading to a threefold increase in mortality compared to other types of trauma. The majority (98%) of abused children were under 5 years old, and nearly all (76%) were less than 1 year old.
A large study by CHOP PolicyLab found an increased risk of child abuse and neglect among US Army soldier-parents when they return from deployment, especially in the first six months. The risk was highest among families with soldiers deployed twice, with abuse often perpetrated by non-soldier caregivers.
A new study examines the effectiveness of a shaken baby syndrome prevention program, Period of PURPLE Crying, which was implemented in North Carolina from 2009-2012. The program, teaching parents about normal infant crying, resulted in a decline of calls to nurse advice line but no significant change in AHT rates.
A statewide shaken baby prevention effort implemented in 2007 reduced crying-related calls to a nurse advice line by 20% for children under 3 months and 12% for those ages 3-12 months. However, the study found no association between the intervention and state-level rates of abusive head trauma.
A study by McGill University researchers found that emotional abuse has equivalent, broad, and universal effects on children's behavior and mental health, comparable to physical abuse and neglect. The study suggests that effective treatments for maltreatment of any sort are likely to have comprehensive benefits.
A University of Washington-led study found that maltreated adolescents can modulate their emotional responses when taught strategies for controlling them. The researchers observed increased brain activity in regions involved in emotion control among the maltreated group, suggesting a promising ability to regulate emotions with training.
A new study from the University of Washington suggests that abusive children can exhibit either 'externalizing' (arguing, disobedience, fighting) or 'internalizing' (depression, withdrawal) behaviors, which are predictors of later criminal activity. Abused girls who internalize their emotions are more likely to commit crimes as adults.
According to a new study, over 40% of children and youth experienced multiple instances of violence, crime, or abuse in the past year. Girls aged 14-17 were particularly vulnerable to sexual assault, with 16.4% experiencing a sex offense.
Research suggests pedophiles are more likely to have minor physical anomalies in the face and head, developing during the prenatal period. The study found a higher prevalence of these deviations among left-handed men, who may be more susceptible to disruptive events during fetal development.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that skull fractures can create distinct fracture patterns, also known as 'fracture prints', which can aid in determining the cause of head injuries. These findings could help investigators reconstruct events and solve child abuse cases with greater accuracy.
A recent study by Professor Cathy Spatz Widom found that offspring of parents with histories of child abuse and neglect are more likely to experience childhood neglect and sexual abuse, but not physical abuse. The study also revealed a shift in societal attitudes toward physical abuse may be contributing to the decline in reports of th...
Research finds that work-family conflict leads to emotional exhaustion and verbal abuse at home and in the workplace. Having a supportive boss can mitigate this effect.
A recent study finds that childhood maltreatment is linked to adult crime, but this effect disappears when accounting for socioeconomic status and later life factors. Protective experiences like high school graduation and marriage can significantly reduce an individual's risk of crime.
Research by Michigan State University scientists reveals a strong link between mothers' prenatal domestic abuse and postnatal trauma symptoms in their children. The study found that prenatal abuse can cause changes in the mother's stress response systems, leading to increased cortisol levels in the fetus.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are investigating child resiliency in the face of abuse and neglect. Their studies aim to identify protective factors that promote resilience in maltreated children, informing interventions and programs for social workers and policymakers.
A new study found that poverty, not biased reporting, is the primary cause of racial and ethnic disparities in child abuse and neglect. States with more minority children living in poverty show greater differences in abuse and neglect rates.
A meta-analysis of 112,000 participants found that childhood trauma significantly increases the risk of obesity in adulthood. The study revealed a 34% higher risk among adults who experienced abuse as children, with physical and emotional abuse leading to increased risks of 28% and 36% respectively.
Research suggests that childhood abuse, sexual victimization, and prior suicidal behavior are significant risk factors for service members and veterans who attempt or commit suicide. The study found that soldiers who reported abuse as children were three to eight times more likely to report suicidal behavior.
A new study reveals that early life stress affects the way genes are activated, leading to long-term emotional and physical health problems. Researchers found an association between a particular gene and parenting styles, which can impact children's brain development and stress response.
Research links childhood sexual abuse to higher carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) at midlife, indicating early signs of atherosclerosis. The study of 1,400 women found no explanation for the link beyond standard cardiovascular disease risk factors.
A study by Saint Louis University found that parents of children with disabilities often have unrealistic expectations and lack empathy, increasing the risk of abuse. Parents who expect more from their children and don't empathize with their needs may become stressed and frustrated, leading to abusive behavior.
A new study examines the complex interplay between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms in ex-POWs, finding that treatment must address both conditions simultaneously. Prof. Solomon's research suggests that a 'tunnel vision' approach to treating POWs is ineffective and may even exacerbate symptoms.
A new study published in Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that thirty-five percent of adults with dyslexia reported being physically abused before age 18, compared to seven percent without dyslexia. The study suggests a possible link between childhood physical abuse and the development of dyslexia.
The Kempe Center presents its first National Kempe Scientific Impact Award to Dr. David Finkelhor for his sustained scientific contributions to the field of child abuse and neglect. Finkelhor's extensive research has informed policy and practice to benefit children and families.
A recent study found that 32% of adult Canadians have experienced child abuse, with physical abuse being the most common. The study highlights a strong association between child abuse and mental health issues, including suicidal ideation and attempts.
Dr. Carol D. Berkowitz receives 2014 Ray E. Helfer Award for her work on detecting child abuse and neglect, with a focus on improving healthcare system protection for children.