Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Child Maltreatment on Later Outcomes Among High-Risk Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 222723
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 37 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 506-521
• Author(s): Kimberly A. Tyler; Katherine A. Johnson; Douglas A. Brownridge
• Date Published: May 2008
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined effects of child maltreatment, parenting, and disadvantaged neighborhood on victimization, delinquency, and well-being among high-risk adolescents.

Abstract

Results indicated that positive parenting was associated with school engagements and running away; sexual abuse, neglect, and disadvantaged neighborhood were related to victimization and/or well-being; school engagement was associated with delinquency and overall well-being; and running away was related to participation in delinquency. Additionally, numerous gender interactions indicated that unique pathways existed for males and females. Adolescents who experienced poor parental relations were more likely to run away to escape their environment and were more likely to have poorer well-being. Running away was also associated with delinquency; youths who ran away were often associated with deviant peers who might have initially introduced them to delinquent behaviors, increasing the risk for the youth's own participation in delinquency. The strong impact of positive parental relations continued to protect adolescents over time; positive parenting was associated with greater adolescent well-being 3 years later. Neglect was found to have short-term consequences, and continued to negatively impact the youth 3 years later. Sexually abused adolescents tended to have lower overall well-being 3 years later. Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood was associated with lower adolescent well-being; and youth who lived in poor and dangerous neighborhoods were more likely to experience poor adolescent development. Youth exposed to crime and delinquency in their neighborhood were likely to worry more about their safety, which affected their mental and physical health. Physical abuse was not a factor in any of the outcome variables. Data were collected from the national survey of child and adolescent well-being, a longitudinal study of youth ranging in age from birth 14 years old at the time of the initial sample. Tables, figures, references