NCJ Number
53709
Journal
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 175-180
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE REPORTED FOR SOME FOLLOWUP STUDIES THAT EXAMINE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABUSED CHILDREN RELATIVE TO INCIDENTS OF DEATH, SUBSEQUENT INJURY, GROWTH FAILURE, INTELLECTUAL RETARDATION, AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
Abstract
BRIEF INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ON THE METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLING PROCEDURES AND PROBLEMS OF THE STUDIES FROM WHICH RESULTS ARE REPORTED. EACH OF THE STUDIES HAS DEALT IN SOME WAY WITH THE CONDITION OF CHILDREN AT SOME POINT SUBSEQUENT TO THEIR INITIAL IDENTIFICATION AS ABUSED. PUBLISHED FOLLOWUP STUDIES OF ABUSED CHILDREN ARE REPORTED TO HAVE QUOTED LOW DEATH RATES. WHILE IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SUCH FINDINGS MIGHT LEAD TO THE PREFERRED BELIEF THAT INTERVENTION IN CHILD ABUSE CASES REDUCES THE INCIDENCE OF DEATH, IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE MAJORITY OF CHILD ABUSE DEATHS OCCUR WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN; BUT FOLLOWUP STUDIES TEND TO FOCUS ON ABUSED CHILDREN AT AN OLDER AGE. ALTHOUGH EVALUATION OF COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS NOW SHOWS THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT THE SERIOUS REINJURY OF ANY ABUSED CHILD, IT IS REPORTED THAT ALL FOLLOWUP STUDIES LOOKING AT THE NEUROLOGY OF PHYSICALLY ABUSED CHILDREN HAVE FOUND A HIGH INCIDENCE OF ABNORMALITY. IN EXAMINING FOLLOWUP STUDIES THAT RECORD THE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT DEVELOPMENT OF ABUSED CHILDREN, A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CONTINUING GROWTH FAILURE IS SHOWN. IN FOLLOWUP STUDIES CONSIDERING THE INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF ABUSED CHILDREN, TWO MAIN PATTERNS ARE CONSIDERED TYPICAL OF ABUSED CHILDREN. FIRST, THERE ARE THOSE CHILDREN WHO ARE QUIET, INACTIVE, AND UNDERACHIEVING IN ALL AREAS; AND THOSE THAT WHO ARE AGILE AND SOCIALLY COMPETENT, BUT STILL QUIET. STUDIES EXPLORING THE PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OF ABUSED CHILDREN SHOW THAT THEY HAVE A STRIKING INABILITY TO RELAX AND ENJOY THEMSELVES AND SOCIAL ISOLATION AND HOSTILE ATTITUDES ARE FREQUENTLY NOTED. IT IS ADVISED THAT HELPING AGENCIES MUST BE WILLING TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO MORE THAN SHORT-TERM CRISIS INTERVENTION IN AN EFFORT TO THWART LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ABUSE. (RCB)