Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Developmental Timing of Childhood Physical and Sexual Maltreatment Predicts Adult Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms.

Child physical and sexual maltreatment have emerged as documented risk factors for a wide range of health problems in adulthood, including depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Prior research focuses on generalized childhood adversities without accounting for how different critical details about the maltreatment may affect outcomes in adulthood. The present study examines the impact of two critical details, timing and type of child maltreatment, on depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms in adulthood. Participants ( N = 104) completed the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure scale (MACE) and the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Scale-Second Version (IDAS-II). Hierarchical multiple regressions compared three different models of child maltreatment predictors and their differential utility for predicting depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms in adulthood: (a) number of child maltreatment experiences, (b) severity of child maltreatment, and (c) timing of child maltreatment. Results indicate that severity of child maltreatment and timing of child maltreatment are greater predictors for adult depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms than number of child maltreatment experiences. Compared with other developmental periods, early childhood sexual maltreatment experiences (5 years of age and below) and late childhood physical maltreatment experiences (13 years of age and above) were stronger predictors of adult depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Children maltreated during these age groups may be prioritized for prevention and intervention efforts, particularly when there are limited resources. Clinical interviews with maltreated children should also be expanded to include information about developmental timing and severity of maltreatment, which have ramifications for later health problems. Implications for assessment of maltreated children, prevention of adult depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and future research directions are discussed.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app