Child Maltreatment, Peer Victimization, and Mental Health: Neurocognitive Perspectives on the Cycle of Victimization
Date
2021
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Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Abstract
Abstract
Children who experience maltreatment are at increased risk of revictimization across the life span. In childhood, this risk often
manifests as peer victimization. Understanding the nature of this risk, and its impact on mental health, is critical if we are to
provide effective support for those children who are most vulnerable. A systematic scoping review was conducted using Google
Scholar and PsycINFO. Studies on adults, psychiatric, and/or inpatient populations were excluded. Included studies concerned all
forms of child maltreatment and peer victimization. We found 28 studies about the association between maltreatment experience
and peer victimization as well as peer rejection. We review the evidence documenting the relation between these adverse
childhood experiences and mental health. The evidence suggests that maltreatment and peer victimization have additive effects on
mental health outcomes. A number of theoretical developmental frameworks that delineate putative mechanisms that might
account for an association are considered. Building on prior research, we then discuss the role of recent neurocognitive findings in
providing a multilevel framework for conceptualizing mental health vulnerability following maltreatment. In addition, we consider
how altered neurocognitive functioning following maltreatment may shed light on why affected children are more likely to be
victimized by their peers. Specifically, we consider the threat, reward, and autobiographical memory systems and their role in
relation to stress generation, stress susceptibility, and social thinning. Such a mechanistic understanding is necessary if we are to
reduce the likelihood of peer victimization in children exposed to maltreatment, and move to a preventative model of mental
health care.
Description
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Keywords
International Resources, Netherlands, United Kingdom, peer victimization, child maltreatment, stress susceptibility, mental health, social thinning
Citation
Goemans, A., Viding, E., & McCrory, E. (2021). Child maltreatment, peer victimization, and mental health: neurocognitive perspectives on the cycle of victimization. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 15248380211036393.