Psychological Maltreatment of Children Reported to Youth Protection Services: A Situation of Grave Concern

• NCJ Number: 210247
• Journal: Journal of Emotional Abuse Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 65-94
• Author(s): Claire Chamberland; Lise Laporte; Chantal Lavergne; Marc Tourigny; Micheline Mayer; John Wright; Sonia Helie; Claire Malo
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 30 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This Quebec study (Canada) examined various issues related to parents' psychological maltreatment of children.

Abstract

Data on children reported to Youth Protection Services were collected in 16 of the 18 child welfare regions in Quebec between October 1 and December 31, 1998. A total of 4,775 children under 18 years old were referred for investigation during this period. Substantiated or suspected psychological maltreatment was reported in 1,032 children (491 boys and 533 girls), which represented 21.6 percent of all children assessed. The 91 children whose reports of psychological maltreatment were unsubstantiated were excluded from the analyses. Psychologically maltreated children (PM group) were compared with children whose welfare worker reported other types of substantiated maltreatment or serious behavioral difficulties with no psychological maltreatment (No PM group; n=2,742). Part of the survey instrument focused on the characteristics of the children (sex, age, emotional problems); the characteristics of the parents and family; the characteristics of the maltreatment; and investigation outcomes. Chi-square tests and one-way analyses of variance were conducted to compare the PM and the "No PM" children. Of the 1,032 children psychologically maltreated, 24 percent had experienced overt rejection from their parents, 17 percent were deprived of parental affection or ignored, and 12.5 percent had been terrorized or threatened with abuse. Child welfare workers also reported that 45.5 percent of the children had witnessed spousal abuse, an indirect form of psychological maltreatment. In families where psychological maltreatment was identified, neglect was also identified in 42 percent of the children, physical abuse in 22 percent, and sexual abuse in 3 percent; 8 percent were also abandoned, and 28 percent manifested serious behavioral problems. Children psychologically maltreated showed more emotional difficulties; their parents had more personal and family problems; and many parents themselves had a history of childhood maltreatment. 6 tables, 6 notes, and 52 references