Abstract:
The recent identification of the extent to which maltreated children are subjected to other forms of victimization continues a several decades long progression of broadening our understanding of the damaging experiences that can befall children. This process has, however, often occurred without refining existing methods and integrating available evidence. One such topic is the precision with which existing conceptual and operational definitions can both identify and clearly differentiate the different types of victimization. Clear definitions are important for characterizing a particular type of victimization, for determining precisely which consequences follow from it, which antecedents precede it, and what to target in an effort to treat or prevent it. A small amount of recent research provides evidence that children often experience multiple maltreatment types that is, some combination of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect. More recently, a child’s witnessing domestic violence is included. Research has also demonstrated the negative consequences of multi-type maltreatment. The discussion that follows examines several inter-related issues. First, how frequently do maltreated children experience more than one type of maltreatment? Second, to what degree are the maltreatment types correlated? Third, what is required to establish the validity of each operational definition of each maltreatment type? (Author Text)