Predicting Child Maltreatment over the Early Life Course: A Prospective Study

Overview

Journal Child Psychiatry Hum Dev

Specialties Pediatrics
Psychiatry

Date 2021 Mar 31

PMID 33788054

Authors

Jake M Najman

James G Scott

Gail M Williams

Alexandra M Clavarino

Steve Kisely

Tara R McGee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

A large number of early life exposures predict child maltreatment. Using data from a 30-year birth cohort study we examine 12 early life course risk factors of four types of self-reported childhood maltreatment recalled at the 30-year follow-up. Of the 7223 children in the sample at birth, 2425 responded to the Child Trauma Questionnaire at the 30-year follow-up. On adjusted analysis being a teenage mother predicts childhood physical and sexual abuse, as well as child neglect. More numerous maternal marital partner changes in the 5 years after the birth predict offspring experiences of emotional abuse, sexual abuse and childhood neglect. Policy responses should focus on the broad social context in which children are reared as the most effective approach to reducing the high level of childhood abuse and neglect.

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