Citation

Bijlsma AME, Assink M, Overbeek G, van Geffen M, van der Put CE. J. Public Child Welf. 2023; 17(2): 408-429.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15548732.2022.2044429

PMID

36896409

PMCID

PMC9988305

Abstract

This study examined differences in developmental problems between children who were victims of two child maltreatment dimensions: abuse versus neglect, and physical versus emotional maltreatment. Family demographics and developmental problems were examined in a clinical sample of 146 Dutch children from families involved in a Multisystemic Therapy - Child Abuse and Neglect treatment trajectory. No differences were found in child behavior problems within the dimension abuse versus neglect. However, more externalizing behavior problems (e.g., aggressive problems) were found in children who experienced physical maltreatment compared to children who experienced emotional maltreatment. Further, more behavior problems (e.g., social problems, attention problems, and trauma symptoms) were found in victims of multitype maltreatment compared to victims of any single-type maltreatment. The results of this study increase the understanding of the impact of child maltreatment poly-victimization, and highlight the value of classifying child maltreatment into physical and emotional maltreatment.

Language: en

Keywords

abuse; Child maltreatment dimensions; developmental problems; emotional maltreatment; multitype maltreatment; neglect; physical maltreatment