Child abuse in America: prevalence and consequences

Date

2001

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma

Abstract

Description

Childhood abuse and neglect is a serious problem in the United States; each year, over three million children are reported abused and/or neglected. One million of these reports are substantiated; however, more than half of the confirmed cases are closed on the day of substantiation. Research has shown that a range of psychiatric symptoms and disorders in child- and adulthood are associated with early trauma, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, substance use, suicidality, self-mutilation, somatization, sexual behavior problems, dissociative disorders, and learning disorders. Moreover, abusive childhood experiences have been associated with increased risks of violent offending and being a victim of violence. Childhood abuse and neglect is a major public health problem cannot only dramatically affect the quality of life of many individuals, but also is enormously expensive for society at large. This paper reviews both the prevalence of childhood abuse and neglect as well as its psychiatric and general health sequelae in child- and adulthood.

Keywords

Abuse-sexual -- emotional, Abuse-sexual -- physical, Economic impact, Effects -- Adverse childhood, Risk -- Risk factors

Citation

DOI