NCJ Number
146079
Date Published
Unknown
Length
73 pages
Annotation
This research review considered evidence related to the possible utility of including physical abuse and neglect as parent-child relational diagnoses in the DSM-IV.
Abstract
The review first focused on public policies relevant to physical abuse and neglect and implications of these policies for psychiatric diagnostic categories. The review then looked at various strategies for operationally defining abuse and neglect. Studies on the incidence of physical abuse and neglect and characteristics of abused and neglected children were examined. The review explored child characteristics as risk factors, and attention was paid to the behavioral characteristics of abused and neglected children and to the association of abuse and neglect with child and adolescent psychopathology. Parent characteristics were also reviewed, as well as long-term consequences of physical abuse and neglect and the link between childhood maltreatment and adult dysfunction. Finally, the review focused on issues related to abuse and neglect diagnoses, clinical and research implications of including physical abuse and neglect as diagnostic categories in the DSM-IV, the desirability of including physical abuse and neglect as diagnostic categories in the DSM-IV, and recommended guidelines for establishing diagnostic criteria. The authors conclude that incorporating physical abuse and neglect as parent-child relational problems in the DSM-IV has clear advantages. 481 references