International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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15 pages, 583 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Linking a History of Childhood Abuse to Adult Health among Canadians: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis

by Margherita Cameranesi, Lisa M. Lix and Caroline C. Piotrowski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(11), 1942; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111942 - 31 May 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4596

Abstract

A history of childhood abuse has been linked to serious and long-lasting problems in adulthood. We developed two theoretical models concerning how early adverse experiences affect health in adulthood, and we tested the empirical fit of the two models in a population-based representative [...] Read more.

A history of childhood abuse has been linked to serious and long-lasting problems in adulthood. We developed two theoretical models concerning how early adverse experiences affect health in adulthood, and we tested the empirical fit of the two models in a population-based representative sample of Canadian adults (N = 25,113) using a structural equation modelling (SEM) technique, path analysis. The first model included direct pathways by which a history of three types of childhood abuse—exposure to intimate partner violence, physical abuse, and sexual abuse—affected adult physical and mental health, as well as indirect pathways by which perceived social support and everyday life stress acted as mediators of these associations. The second model included only indirect pathways and tested mediating effects. Global statistics indicated that both models were a good fit to the data, and local statistics supported the hypothesized associations between independent, dependent, and mediator variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

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15 pages, 1018 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Harsh Physical Parenting and Behavioral Problems in Children in Religious Families in Yemen

by Khadija Alsarhi, Rahma, Mariëlle J. L. Prevoo, Lenneke R. A. Alink and Judi Mesman

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(9), 1485; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091485 - 26 Apr 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3420

Abstract

The present study examined maternal religiosity as an underlying cultural factor in the effect of harsh physical parenting on child behavioral problems. Data was collected via a discipline observational task, religiosity-based vignettes, and a questionnaire in a group of 62 mothers and their [...] Read more.

The present study examined maternal religiosity as an underlying cultural factor in the effect of harsh physical parenting on child behavioral problems. Data was collected via a discipline observational task, religiosity-based vignettes, and a questionnaire in a group of 62 mothers and their children in slum areas in Yemen. Moderation and mediation models were tested, where the role of maternal religiosity as a predictor and a moderator in the association between harsh physical parenting and child behavioral problems was explored. Findings showed no direct association between harsh physical parenting, maternal religiosity, and child behavioral problems. However, maternal religiosity was found to significantly moderate the relationship between harsh physical parenting and child behavioral problems such that the positive association between harsh physical parenting and child behavior problems was stronger when parents were more religious. Implications of the moderating role of maternal religiosity on the association between harsh physical parenting and child behavioral problems are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

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15 pages, 308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trauma Exposure in Relation to the Content of Mother-Child Emotional Conversations and Quality of Interaction

by Mathilde M. Overbeek, Nina Koren-Karie, Adi Erez Ben-Haim, J. Clasien de Schipper, Patricia D. Dreier Gligoor and Carlo Schuengel

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(5), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16050805 - 5 Mar 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3363

Abstract

Parent-child conversations contribute to understanding and regulating children’s emotions. Similarities and differences in discussed topics, quality of interaction and coherence/elaboration in mother-child conversations about emotional experiences of the child were studied in dyads who had been exposed to interpersonal trauma (N = 213) [...] Read more.

Parent-child conversations contribute to understanding and regulating children’s emotions. Similarities and differences in discussed topics, quality of interaction and coherence/elaboration in mother-child conversations about emotional experiences of the child were studied in dyads who had been exposed to interpersonal trauma (N = 213) and non-trauma-exposed dyads (N = 86). Results showed that in conversations about negative emotions, trauma-exposed children more often discussed trauma topics and focused less on relationship topics than non-trauma-exposed children. Trauma-exposed dyads found it more difficult to come up with a story. The most common topics chosen by dyads to discuss for each emotion were mostly similar between trauma-exposed dyads and non-trauma-exposed dyads. Dyads exposed to interpersonal traumatic events showed lower quality of interaction and less coherence/elaboration than dyads who had not experienced traumatic events. Discussion of traumatic topics was associated with lower quality of mother-child interaction and less coherent dialogues. In conclusion, the effect of the trauma is seen at several levels in mother-child interaction: topics, behavior and coherence. A focus on support in developing a secure relationship after trauma may be important for intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

19 pages, 742 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Family Violence and Self-Control in Adolescence: A Multi-Level Meta-Analysis

by Yayouk E. Willems, Jian-Bin Li, Anne M. Hendriks, Meike Bartels and Catrin Finkenauer

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(11), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112468 - 5 Nov 2018

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6886

Abstract

Theoretical studies propose an association between family violence and low self-control in adolescence; however, empirical findings of this association are inconclusive. The aim of the present research was to systematically summarize available findings on the relation between family violence and self-control across adolescence. [...] Read more.

Theoretical studies propose an association between family violence and low self-control in adolescence; however, empirical findings of this association are inconclusive. The aim of the present research was to systematically summarize available findings on the relation between family violence and self-control across adolescence. We included 28 studies with 143 effect sizes, representing more than 25,000 participants of eight countries from early to late adolescence. Applying a three-level meta-analysis, taking dependency between effect sizes into account while retaining statistical power, we examined the magnitude and direction of the overall effect size. Additionally, we investigated whether theoretical moderators (e.g., age, gender, country), and methodological moderators (e.g., time lag between family violence and self-control, informant) influenced the magnitude of the association between family violence and self-control. Our results revealed that family violence and self-control have a small to moderate significant negative association (r = −0.191). This association did not vary across gender, country, and informants. The strength of the association, however, decreased with age and in longitudinal studies. This finding provides evidence that researchers and clinicians may expect low self-control in the wake of family violence, especially in early adolescence. Recommendations for future research in the area are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

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17 pages, 339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychiatric Impact of Organized and Ritual Child Sexual Abuse: Cross-Sectional Findings from Individuals Who Report Being Victimized

by Johanna Schröder, Susanne Nick, Hertha Richter-Appelt and Peer Briken

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(11), 2417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112417 - 31 Oct 2018

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 10975

Abstract

Organized and ritual child sexual abuse (ORA) is often rooted in the child’s own family. Empirical evidence on possible associations between ORA and trauma-related symptoms in those who report this kind of extreme and prolonged violence is rare. The aim of our study [...] Read more.

Organized and ritual child sexual abuse (ORA) is often rooted in the child’s own family. Empirical evidence on possible associations between ORA and trauma-related symptoms in those who report this kind of extreme and prolonged violence is rare. The aim of our study was to explore socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the individuals reporting ORA experiences, and to investigate protective as well as promotive factors in the link between ORA and trauma-related symptom severity. Within the framework of a project of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in Germany, we recruited 165 adults who identified themselves as ORA victims via abuse- and trauma-specific networks and mailing lists, and they completed an anonymous online survey. We used variance analyses to examine correlations between several variables in the ORA context and PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) as well as somatoform dissociation (SDQ-5). Results revealed a high psychic strain combined with an adverse health care situation in individuals who report experiences with ORA. Ideological strategies used by perpetrators as well as Dissociative Identity Disorders experienced by those affected are associated with more severe symptoms (η²_p = 0.11; η²_p = 0.15), while an exit out of the ORA structures is associated with milder symptoms (η²_p = 0.11). Efforts are needed to improve health care services for individuals who experience severe and complex psychiatric disorders due to ORA in their childhood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

19 pages, 766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sexual Violence against Women in Germany: Prevalence and Risk Markers

by Deborah F. Hellmann, Max W. Kinninger and Sören Kliem

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(8), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15081613 - 30 Jul 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6730

Abstract

Previous research has repeatedly shown that gender-based violence affects a considerable proportion of women in any given population. Apart from providing current estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence against women in Germany, we identified specific risk markers applying an advanced statistical method. [...] Read more.

Previous research has repeatedly shown that gender-based violence affects a considerable proportion of women in any given population. Apart from providing current estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence against women in Germany, we identified specific risk markers applying an advanced statistical method. We analyzed data from a survey of N = 4450 women representative of the German population, conducted by the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony in 2011. Lifetime prevalence for experiencing sexual violence was 5.4% for women aged 21–40 years (five-year prevalence: 2.5%). Non-parametric conditional inference tree (C-Tree) analyses revealed that physical and sexual abuse during childhood as well as being divorced, separated, or widowed was the most informative constellation of risk markers, increasing the five-year prevalence rate of experienced sexual violence victimizations up to 17.0%. Furthermore, knowing about the official penalization of marital rape was related to a lower victimization risk for women without a history of parental violence. Possible explanations for these findings as well as implications for future research are critically discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

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Review

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13 pages, 457 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cognitive Reframing of Intimate Partner Aggression: Social and Contextual Influences

by Wind Goodfriend and Ximena B. Arriaga

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(11), 2464; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112464 - 5 Nov 2018

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5252

Abstract

Intimate partner aggression violates U.S. culturally-accepted standards regarding how partners should treat each other. Victims must reconcile the dissonance associated with being in what should be a loving and supportive relationship, while being in the same relationship that is personally and deeply harmful. [...] Read more.

Intimate partner aggression violates U.S. culturally-accepted standards regarding how partners should treat each other. Victims must reconcile the dissonance associated with being in what should be a loving and supportive relationship, while being in the same relationship that is personally and deeply harmful. To manage these clashing cognitions, victims consciously and unconsciously adopt perceptions to reframe their partner’s aggression, minimizing and reinterpreting the occurrence or impact of aggressive acts, and justifying remaining in their relationship. The paper examines the multiple and nested influences that shape such perceptions, including individual, partner, relationship, and cultural factors. Each type of influence is discussed by reviewing previous research and including accounts from women who had experienced aggression. Greater awareness of such perceptions may afford greater control in changing harmful relationship patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

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25 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mothers and Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of Treatment Interventions

by Kimberley Anderson and Elisa Van Ee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(9), 1955; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15091955 - 7 Sep 2018

Cited by 63 | Viewed by 13308

Abstract

Although a growing field, much is still unknown about how different clinical and social care services might improve outcomes for female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their children who are indirectly exposed to it. This review sought to characterize the structure [...] Read more.

Although a growing field, much is still unknown about how different clinical and social care services might improve outcomes for female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their children who are indirectly exposed to it. This review sought to characterize the structure of programs that have been tested and documented in existing literature, and the mechanisms by which change, if any, may occur. Seventeen individual interventions and two follow-ups (n = 19) were included in the review. Findings suggest that a multileveled program of mothers and children working both separately and jointly together across sessions might generate the most successful psychosocial recovery for mothers and children who have experienced violence in the home. The mechanism by which this happens is likely a collaborative one, focused on enhancing the dyadic interaction. This article adds to the growing evidence base on IPV and confirms the positive impact on well-being that programs for IPV victims can have. The evidence-base overall could benefit from testing and replicating a combination of the results found in this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Violence)

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