Articles tagged with Child Abuse
A new study of child homicides found that fatalities are evenly distributed across all months, contradicting widespread notions of increased risk during winter holidays. Experts emphasize that prevention efforts should be a year-round priority, as common stressors on caregivers like tantrums and accidents occur throughout the year.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports a marked increase in abusive head trauma cases during economic downturns. According to research, the number of such cases rose significantly between 2004 and 2009, with 16% of affected children dying as a result.
A study by UNC researchers found that abused children are more likely to suffer from unexplained abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting. The study analyzed data from over 800 children and showed a significant association between abuse and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Researchers found that wait time is the most important factor in patients' care-seeking decisions, while high-touch aspects of the patient-centered medical home are more highly correlated with preventive services delivery. Additionally, in-office C-reactive protein testing can help physicians more appropriately prescribe antibiotics fo...
A study of over 500 low-income children found that early abuse can lead to more frequent and severe depression, with distinct cortisol regulation patterns. Children who experienced maltreatment before age 5 showed atypical cortisol production, indicating compromised stress systems.
Two studies published in 2009 found that half of survivors wait up to five years before disclosing abuse, with 25% never revealing the secret. The research also showed a sharp contrast between genders, with women more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and male victims more likely to become adult victims of physical o...
A recent study found that adolescents think school bullying is a natural part of life and will continue happening, leading to a negative and pessimistic attitude towards it. The researchers suggest that more comprehensive educational programs are needed to prove to children that bullying can be stopped.
A new study finds that abused women experience a five-stage process of leaving, marked by boundary ambiguity, emotional disconnection, and preparation to leave. Women often struggle with clarity and connection once they've left, highlighting the need for support and understanding from social workers, friends, and family.
A large-scale, five-year research project will investigate how various factors affect the well-being and mental health of children who have experienced child maltreatment. The study aims to understand the complex interactions between genetics, family environment, hormonal regulation, personality traits, and brain activity.
The Lancet calls for a National Child Protection Commission to review evidence on protecting vulnerable children. The UK government should be held accountable for its inadequate system, which has led to the deaths of thousands of victims.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals a history of child abuse significantly impacts the challenges faced by depressed inpatients, including increased suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalizations. The research highlights the importance of aggressive approaches to prevent child abuse and stresses the need for more public health initiatives.
Researchers found that women with severe mental illness are more likely to have been abused in childhood than the general population, with a twofold increased risk compared to healthy women. In contrast, no such association was found in men.
Experts argue that schools and community health services contribute significantly to child maltreatment reporting, highlighting the need for improved recognition and response. The study suggests that policy approaches focusing on supportive interventions may be more effective than those prioritizing protection.
Research highlights effective interventions for preventing child maltreatment, including home-visiting programs like Nurse Family Partnership and Early Start. Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapy shows benefits for sexually abused children, while enhanced foster care leads to better mental health outcomes.
The Lancet Series on Child Maltreatment aims to provide a rigorous summary of scientific evidence to inform policy discussions. The series emphasizes the importance of training, recognition strategies, and evidence-based approaches to safeguard children from abuse.
A new study found that children who witness family violence have more symptoms of depression and anxiety, while those subjected to harsh physical discipline are more aggressive. Researchers call for targeted interventions to address the ongoing emotional and behavioral problems in these vulnerable youth.
A recent study found that children who experienced physical or sexual abuse were more than twice as likely to have asthma. The researchers also discovered an association between stress, violence, and decreased glucocorticoid response, leading to airway inflammatory responses.
A new approach is required to address the growing issue of child abuse and neglect in Australia, with a focus on preventing abuse before it occurs. The current system's emphasis on intervening after harm has been done is deemed unethical and ineffective.
Researchers found that defense lawyers using complicated language during interrogations increased guilty verdicts by 2.16 times, according to a study analyzing 223 child abuse case transcripts. The study, published in Law and Human Behavior, highlights the potential impact of questioning techniques on trial outcomes.
Research found that variations in the FKBP5 gene, related to stress response, predict higher risk of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in adults who experienced childhood abuse. Genetic variations interact with levels of child abuse and other trauma exposure to predict PTSD symptoms.
Research reveals that past child abuse increases PTSD symptoms in adults, with certain gene variations amplifying the risk. The study identifies a key gene, FKBP5, which plays a crucial role in regulating stress-response systems.
A study published in the Journal of Emotional Abuse highlights the overlooked emotional trauma suffered by brothers and sisters of child abuse victims. These siblings often become emotionally numb or hostile towards the abused child, requiring therapy but rarely receiving it.
A long-term study found that middle-aged women who suffered physical or sexual abuse as children spent significantly more on healthcare costs. Women with an average age in their late 40s still suffer consequences from abuse that occurred decades ago.
A recent study found that adults who were abused in childhood and carried a specific gene variant showed lower measures of depression. The gene variant, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor one (CRHR1), appears to protect against depression in adults who experienced moderate to severe child abuse.
Research identifies genetic variations that shield adults from depression caused by childhood trauma. The study discovered that certain gene variations help regulate the response to stress, protecting against moderate to severe depression in adulthood.
A study by Group Health Research Institute found that children of mothers with a history of abuse have higher health care needs, including increased costs for mental health services. The research highlights the importance of screening women for intimate partner violence and providing interventions to minimize its effects on families.
A study by Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters found that dads break or fracture the bones of their children far more often than moms. The abuse can be horrific, with one case involving 31 broken or fractured bones.
Researchers have found a way to help health-care providers and social workers understand the stages that abused women go through when deciding to leave their partners. The study identifies five stages, including precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance, with key turning points for women's empowerment.
Women with migraine who suffered childhood abuse were more likely to experience depression than those without abuse. The study found a significant association between childhood abuse and depression in women with migraine, suggesting that neurobiological systems may be altered by adverse experiences.
Studies show abused children are more likely to commit delinquent crimes, with the type of abuse connected to the crime. The special issue examines moderating factors connecting child maltreatment to delinquent behavior in adolescence.
A study of 169 former Ugandan and Congolese child soldiers found that those with PTSD symptoms were less open to reconciliation and had more feelings of revenge towards their enemies. The research highlights the need for psychological recovery for war-affected children, such as child soldiers.
A new study reveals that child abuse and neglect rates nearly double when soldier-parents deploy for combat tours, leaving mothers at home to care for the children. The rate of physical abuse nearly doubles, and neglect increases four times higher in these cases.
A study found that children's reports of long-ago events can be accurate and reliable, contradicting previous notions that memories fade with time. The researchers suggest that timing of interviews rather than delay is crucial in assessing accuracy, particularly in cases of child abuse.
Child maltreatment is a worldwide problem with far more prevalence than recognized. Medical responses typically occur after the event, but prevention is advocated through measures like parental education and home visits. Diagnosis involves detecting injuries that cannot be explained by medical history or other circumstances.
Rates of child abuse and neglect in military families in Texas doubled since October 2002, according to a UNC study. The increase was linked to the stress of deployment on military personnel and their families.
Children born with low birth weight are more likely to develop depression and social dysfunction if they experience child abuse, according to a recent study. The study found that those who suffered both low birth weight and child abuse had significantly poorer outcomes than those who experienced either adversity alone.
A prospective study found that childhood abuse and neglect are associated with an increased risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) and psychiatric illness in young adulthood. Physical abuse was linked to a 59% increased risk of lifetime MDD, while neglected children had a 51% higher risk of current MDD.
Research found that baby rhesus monkeys with high maternal rejection and mild abuse had lower serotonin levels, associated with anxiety and depression. Abused females who became abusive mothers had reduced serotonin, suggesting a potential link between early abuse and intergenerational transmission of parenting behaviors.
Research found that healthcare professionals are hesitant to report child physical abuse due to fear of misidentification and confrontation with families. The study suggests that education, training, and support are needed to address this issue and improve reporting rates.
A recent study found that victims of childhood abuse tend to transfer their feelings towards their abusive parent to new people, leading to negative reactions. This 'transference' can affect adult relationships and highlight the importance of understanding the long-term impact of childhood trauma.
A systematic review identified warning signs for potential re-abuse of children, including neglect, emotional and physical abuse, and parental mental health problems. Children who experienced previous maltreatment were six times more likely to be abused again within a month.
A new theory suggests that two-thirds of people diagnosed with schizophrenia have suffered physical or sexual abuse, making it a major cause of the illness. The research argues that trauma, not just genetic predisposition, contributes to schizophrenic symptoms.
A study investigates how methamphetamine use affects children's psychological development and behavior, revealing that despite traumatic experiences, many focus on losing their parents rather than the drug itself. The researchers developed materials for foster parents and child-welfare workers to help these children recover.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that verbal abuse in childhood can lead to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety in adulthood. The researchers studied data from over 5,600 participants aged 15-54 and found a strong correlation between verbal abuse and self-criticism.
A recent study found that witnessing intimate partner violence as a child does not increase the risk of becoming a victim of IPV as an adult. Adult Child Witnesses were more likely to be less than 40 years old, have lower incomes, and have been abused as children.
A systematic review found that structured forms and checklists can help healthcare professionals record child protection issues more effectively. Certain types of training also improved knowledge and attitudes towards child protection, boosting the speed of response to concerns.
A population-based study found that children with lower birthweights and shorter gestational ages are more likely to be placed on the child protection register. The association held true even after adjusting for levels of deprivation and age of the mother at birth.
A longitudinal study found that peer rejection is a strong predictor of reduced academic engagement and achievement in children. Children who experience rejection are more likely to avoid school and exhibit decreased classroom participation.
A study of 700 autopsy cases found that retinal hemorrhages occur more frequently than initially thought and are not always indicative of child abuse. The research suggests that doctors should consider other possibilities when evaluating children with retinal hemorrhages, rather than automatically diagnosing abuse.
Disabled children face significantly increased risk of violence and abuse due to stigma, negative traditional beliefs, and limited social support. The UNICEF report calls for inclusive interventions to address these issues.
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 51% of men experienced childhood physical abuse, with most abuse carried out by parents. The study suggests a link between childhood abuse and adult domestic violence, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to prevent future harm.
A pediatrician at Brenner Children's Hospital found that genital warts in young children do not necessarily mean child abuse. The virus causing the warts can also be spread through non-sexual contact, such as from mother to child during birth or through contaminated objects.
Researchers found that abused children exhibited prolonged attention to angry voices and didn't break focus even after the argument ended. This reaction may be linked to their brain's ongoing attempt to cope with past trauma, making them more prone to interpersonal problems.
Research found that physically abused children showed increased emotional arousal and focus on threat signs during a calm-anger-resolve conversation. They remained alert after the conflict resolved, suggesting anxiety about environmental aspects others may overlook.
Carol Jordan, director of the UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women, is being honored with a national justice award for her 23-year career in helping women and children who have faced sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child abuse, stalking, and other crimes. The $10,000 award will support endowment efforts to establ...
The GMC's judgment against Roy Meadow has raised concerns that children will be put at greater risk of abuse and murder. The decision is also expected to deter trainee paediatricians from pursuing a career in child protection, further compromising the system's ability to protect vulnerable children.
A recent study has found that abdominal injuries in children under 14 are twice as likely to be caused by abuse as road-traffic accidents. The researchers analyzed data from over 180 injured children and found that small-bowel injuries are more common in abused children, especially those under five.
A study found significant variation among pediatricians in interpreting 'reasonable suspicion' for child abuse, with varying thresholds and inconsistent responses. This discrepancy has profound implications for victims, families, and caregivers, emphasizing the need for standardized guidelines and training.
Research in macaque monkeys suggests that infant abuse is transmitted through early experience, rather than genetic inheritance. The study found that abused mothers were more likely to abuse their own offspring, but only if raised by non-abusive caregivers.
Childhood sexual abuse survivors from families with rigid gender roles and poor communication often faced social isolation, making it difficult for them to disclose the abuse. Only 40% of participants disclosed during childhood, underscoring the need for professionals to cultivate skills to detect subtle cues.