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Abstract
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Using a prospective cohorts design, a large sample of physical and sexual abuse cases was compared to a matched control group. Overall, abused and neglected subjects had higher rates than did controls for adult criminality and arrests for violent offenses, but not for adult arrests for child abuse or neglect. Findings are discussed in the context of intergenerational transmission of violence, and directions for future research are suggested.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this article by Widom was to examine the effects of childhood abuse and neglect on adulthood criminality and child abuse and neglect offenses.
METHODOLOGY:
The study used a quasi-experimental design. The research used secondary data. The study utilized county court records from a metropolitan area in the Midwest from 1967 to 1971. The sample included cases of child neglect and abuse that had been court substantiated and validated. The sample included cases in which the children were 11 years of age or younger at the time of the abuse. The cases were from the adult criminal court and the juvenile court. The cases included cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Physical abuse included "cruelty to children" and the exposure to strains that would "injure the physical well-being of the child." Sexual abuse cases included charges such as "assault and battery with the intent to gratify sexual desires," incest, sodomy, and obscene touching. Neglect cases included situations of child homelessness or the parents' failure to provide adequate shelter, food, clothing, and medical attention. The final sample of both abuse and neglect cases totaled 908 subjects. It was reported that at the time of the study the subjects were between 16 and 32 years of age. The control group totaled 667 subjects. The control group matched the sample for age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status. The abused/neglected and control groups were divided into two groups: school-age children (5-11 years) and under school-age children. It was found that there were no significant differences between the abused/neglected group and the control group for demographic characteristics. Data was collected on the subjects from several sources. Information was gathered from the juvenile court and the juvenile probation department. Descriptions of the abuse were recorded. Delinquency records were coded and recorded. The subjects' criminal histories were investigated at local, state, and federal levels. The tracing of subjects was aided by records from the Department of Motor Vehicles and marriage license bureau records.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The study found that 28.6% of the abused and neglected subjects had an adult criminal record and 21.1% of the control group had an adult criminal record (p=.000). The data showed that older subjects were more likely to have a criminal record than younger subjects (p=.0001). The researcher reported that males had a higher frequency of criminal records than females (p=.0000). The study found that each subject characteristic (sex, race, age, and abuse and neglect status) was a significant contributor for predicting later criminal behavior. The data showed that the abused and neglected and control groups had almost the same frequencies for arrests for child abuse or neglect. The researcher posited that victimization as a child is significantly related to later criminal behavior. However, the research found that subjects who were abused or neglected in childhood were no more likely to be arrested for child abuse as adults. The author noted that these findings challenge the assumptions that abused children become abusers and victims of violence are future victimizers. She concluded that the cycle-of-violence hypothesis has been over-simplified.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The author recommended that the understanding of the relationship between childhood abuse and adult criminal behavior be refined. The study suggested that a more discriminating analysis on the various effects of childhood abuse and neglect be undertaken. It was also recommended that future studies examine the role of protective factors, such as environmental conditions or biological predispositions, which mitigate negative childhood experiences. The author recognized the limitations with this study. She noted that the cases used in this study do not represent unreported, unsubstantiated, and childhood adoption cases or self-reported and nonofficial criminal behavior. Finally, the study recommended further research on the inter-generational transmission of violence.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
Child Victim
Child Abuse Effects
Child Abuse Victim
Child Abuse-Crime Link
Child Abuse-Violence Link
Inter-generational Transmission of Child Abuse
1960s
1970s
Child Neglect Effects
Child Neglect Victim
Child Physical Abuse Effects
Child Physical Abuse Victim
Childhood Experience
Childhood Victimization
Child Abuse Causes
Adult Crime
Juvenile Crime
Crime Causes
Domestic Violence Causes
Domestic Violence Effects
Domestic Violence Victim
Intergenerational Transmission of Violence
Juvenile Offender
Juvenile Violence
Adult Offender
Adult Violence
Child Sexual Abuse Effects
Child Sexual Abuse Effects
Sexual Assault Victim
Sexual Assault Effects
Psychological Victimization Effects
Long-Term Effects
Child Abuse Offender
Domestic Violence Offender
Language: en |