Work

Child Maltreatment: A Public Health Overview and Prevention Considerations

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Child maltreatment (CM) is a significant public health problem, affecting hundreds of millions of children globally. CM has been linked to a variety of short- and long-term health consequences, including poor physical and mental health, changes to brain architecture and development, altered biological factors, reduced cognitive ability and educational achievement, and impaired psychosocial functioning. This article will define and describe the various types of CM and its epidemiology from a public health perspective that considers incidence, prevalence, and consequences. The authors discuss risk and protective factors and approaches for the prevention of CM, including key considerations for nurses to help identify potential victims and provide treatment and/or referrals.

Source: OJIN The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing

DOI: 10.3912/ojin.vol19no01man02

Authors: Melissa Merrick, Natasha Latzman

Language: English

Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institutes of Health

Award: G7543494365