National studies of the prevalence of child maltreatment: Methodological variance and challenges, and a new Australian study
Year: 2019
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Child maltreatment through physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence, causes substantial adverse health and behavioural consequences through the lifespan. Child maltreatment leads to biomedical disease through physical injuries and psychological disorders. Long-term disease is caused by stress-related diseases and coping mechanisms such as smoking and alcohol abuse. Since child maltreatment is a public health issue, reliable data on prevalence is essential to inform prevention efforts. In addition, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals include a target of ending abuse of children (Goal 16), and governments worldwide are required to report on their efforts to measure progress against this goal. Obtaining reliable prevalence data is essential for this task. Despite its importance, robust data on the prevalence of child maltreatment has not been generated in most countries, and many studies are limited to one or few maltreatment types. Studies measuring child maltreatment prevalence vary in design, often use unstandardized instruments, and often simply ask single non-specific questions. The use of unsound constructs to define the five forms of maltreatment also compromises reliability. Such studies therefore face multiple scientific, conceptual and practical challenges. This seminar first discusses the varying approaches taken in national prevalence studies to date, and identifies their strengths and limitations. It then discusses the parameters of a new study commencing in Australia, which aims to use best practice approaches to measure the prevalence of all five forms of child maltreatment, associated mental health outcomes and chronic physical conditions through the lifespan, and burden of disease.
Author: Ben Mathews
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2960359342