Child Multi-Type Maltreatment and Associated Depression and PTSD Symptoms: The Role of Social Support and Stress

• NCJ Number: 217571
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2007 Pages: 71-84
• Author(s): Ana-Maria Vranceznu; Stevan E. Hobfoll; Robert J. Johnson
• Date Published: January 2007
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2ROI MH 45669-09A2
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This retrospective, cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that the experiencing of multiple forms of child abuse and neglect would be linked to adult women survivors' lower social support and higher stress, which would then increase their vulnerability to symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Abstract

The hypothesis was partially supported. The study found that experiencing multiple forms of child abuse (MFCB) were directly associated with decreased social support and increased stress in adulthood. MFCB was also directly linked to PTSD symptoms, but not depression symptoms in adulthood. Social support partially mediated the relationship between MFCB and adult PTSD symptoms. Stress fully mediated the relationship between MFCB and adult symptoms of depression. Eighty-five percent of the 100 women reported at least 1 instance of being maltreated as a child. The most frequent form of abuse was emotional abuse (66 percent), followed by witnessing family violence (39 percent), sexual abuse (36 percent), and neglect (35 percent). Most women experienced more than one form of abuse, with physical abuse and neglect being the most frequent combination (56 percent); 13 percent of the women reported having experienced all forms of maltreatment. These findings highlight the importance of social resources in mitigating adverse mental health effects for adult survivors of multiple forms of childhood abuse. Study participants were 100 women recruited from an inner-city gynecological treatment center for low-income women. Various types of childhood maltreatment were identified with the Comprehensive Child Maltreatment Scale for Adults. Current depression was assessed with the Diagnostic Inventory for Depression, and social support was measured with the Social Support Questionnaire-6. The Conservation of Resources Evaluation was used to assess whether the women had encountered recent stressful conditions that resulted in loss of resources. The PTSD symptom Scale-Interview was used to measure the severity of PTSD symptoms. 2 tables, 2 figures, and 60 references