Childhood Abuse as a Possible Locus for Early Intervention Into Problems of Violence and Psychopathology

• NCJ Number: 181997
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2000 Pages: 255-266
• Author(s): A. A. Sappington
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article addresses long-term problems associated with abuse in the childhood home and their possible prevention.

Abstract

After a brief discussion of research strategies, the article explores the links between childhood abuse and later violence or psychopathology. It then examines interventions that attempt to prevent or stop abuse or that seek to ameliorate its effects. The emphasis is on the possibility that early intervention with families that have experienced or are at risk of experiencing abuse may be a cost-effective way to reduce violence and psychopathology. The study notes that most of the data on links between childhood abuse and later violence or psychopathology come from use of three research strategies: comparison of rates of childhood abuse in groups that differ in violent experiences or psychopathology; comparison of rates of violent experiences or psychopathology in groups that differ in whether or not they were abused as children; or prospective studies that follow children at high risk for abuse over a long period of time, beginning before any abuse has occurred, and compare those who are actually abused with those who escape abuse. This article combines results from these methodologies, because the findings on the relationships of interest tend to be similar for all three; however, there are some problems with each of these strategies. The reviewed research shows that physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, as well as children witnessing parents abuse each other were all associated with later problems with violence and psychopathology. No causal conclusions could be drawn because of the correlational nature of the research. Research into possible interventions was also reviewed. At least somewhat effective interventions for stopping abuse once it begins are available for all of the types of abuse; however, there are no data on the effects of these interventions on long-term problems of violence or psychopathology. Recommendations are offered for intervention. 61 references