Faculty Articles
Maltreatment in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Prevalence and Correlates
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
ISSN
0890-8567
Publication Date
5-1994
Abstract
Objective
The goals of this study were (1) to determine the prevalence of child maltreatment in hospitalized children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and concomitant psychiatric disorders, and (2) to identify the contribution of specific mother and child characteristics to the use of more severe disciplinary practices by mothers.
Method
One hundred thirty-eight psychiatrically hospitalized children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and mothers were assessed using a semistructured interview (Child Abuse and Neglect Interview Schedule) examining factors associated with risk of child maltreatment, and questionnaires measuring maternal and child functioning. The Child Abuse and Neglect Interview Schedule and hospital charts were then used to derive ratings on the prevalence and severity of child maltreatment.
Results
Findings revealed that 61% of children had experienced some form of severe maltreatment by a care provider in their lifetime. Regression analysis indicated that interactions between high levels of social functioning and disruptive/oppositional behaviors and younger age in children, and low levels of social support and increased anger reactivity in mothers, were most predictive of mothers' use of severe disciplinary practices.
Conclusions
Maltreatment in psychiatrically hospitalized children and adolescents with disabilities is very prevalent, and it warrants careful clinical assessment. In the psychiatric setting, families in which the child is younger, higher functioning, and behaviorally disruptive, and where mothers have little social support and exhibit increased anger reactivity, are at especially elevated risk.
DOI
10.1097/00004583-199405000-00015
Volume
33
Issue
4
First Page
567
Last Page
576
NSUWorks Citation
Ammerman, R. T.,
Hersen, M.,
Van Hasselt, V. B.,
Lubetsky, M. J.,
Sieck, W. R.
(1994). Maltreatment in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Prevalence and Correlates. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(4), 567-576.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/710
