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Identifying experiences of physical and psychological violence in childhood that jeopardize mental health in adulthood
- Authors:
- GREENFIELD Emily A., MARKS Nadine F.
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 34(3), March 2010, pp.161-171.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study aimed to extend understanding of linkages between childhood experiences of physical and psychological violence (either experienced alone or in combination) from mothers and fathers with poorer mental health in adulthood. Profiles were distinguished by the types of violence retrospectively self-reported as well as by the frequency at which each type of violence occurred. The study conducted secondary analysis of publicly available data from the National Survey of Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS). An adapted version of the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) was used to collect respondents’ reports of physical and psychological violence in childhood from each parent. The respondents also reported on current experiences of negative affect and psychological well-being. The results showed that reports of frequent psychological violence from mothers, even when coupled with never or rarely having experienced physical violence, were associated with more negative affect and less psychological well-being in adulthood. Nearly all profiles of violence in childhood from fathers, with the exception of reports of rare physical violence only, were associated with poorer adult mental health. The results provide evidence that frequent experiences of psychological violence from parents, even in the absence of physical violence and regardless of whether such violence is from mothers or fathers, can place individuals’ long-term mental health at risk. Moreover, frequent physical violence from fathers, even in the absence of psychological violence, also serves as a risk factor for poorer adult mental health.
Sense of community as a protective factor against long-term psychological effects of childhood violence
- Authors:
- GREENFIELD Emily A., MARKS Nadine F.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Service Review, 84(1), March 2010, pp.129-147.
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
Adults subjected to childhood abuse are known to have poorer mental health on average than their counterparts who do not report such incidence. This current study used a risk and resilience framework for conceptualising the long-term effects of childhood family violence on mental health. It investigated the sense of community as a protective factor against adult psychological distress associated with experiences of physical or psychological violence in childhood from parents. Regression models were estimated using data from 1,031 adults from the 1995 National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States and from the 1996/97 National Study of Daily Experiences. Reported experiences of frequent psychological violence, regardless of the frequency of physical violence, was identified as being positively associated with adult psychological distress. In conclusion, the authors indicate that an adults’ sense of community was found to moderate the association between reports of both frequent psychological and frequent physical violence in childhood from parents and adult psychological distress.