TITLE: Posttraumatic
Stress and Mental Health Functioning of Sexually Abused Children.
AUTHOR: Avery,
L.; Massat, C. R.; Lundy, M.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: University
of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg. School of Social Work.
SOURCE: 17(1):
pp. 19-34; Kluwer Academic-Human Sciences
Press, Inc., Dordrecht (The Netherlands)., February 2000; p. 31
ABSTRACT: The
authors explored the relationships between the mental health functioning of
sexual abuse victims and post traumatic stress disorder, using data collected
from the Non-Offending Parents project, a four-year project funded by the
National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect. Longitudinal data were collected
from 53 sexually abused children; unlike numerous previous studies,
standardized instruments such as the Child Assessment Schedule and the Child
Post-traumatic Stress Reaction Index were used for data collection. Data
analysis supported the hypothesis that the post traumatic stress level of
children who had been sexually abused is associated with level of child mental
health functioning. Nearly all the children experienced a clinical level of
posttraumatic stress and were diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress
disorder. Results suggest that clinicians intervening with children
who have been sexually abused should assess and treat posttraumatic stress
disorder symptoms. Theauthors recommend use of standardized instruments to
facilitate comparison across studies and additional longitudinal studies to add
further depth to the knowledge base. Four tables, numerous references. (Author
abstract modified)
KEY TERMS: post
traumatic stress disorder; mental
health; sexual abuse; research;
longitudinal studies; data
collection; data analysis; psychopathology
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.wkap.nl
TITLE: Medicolegal
Aspects of Child Abuse.
AUTHOR: Myers,
J. E. B.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Pacific
Univ., Sacramento, CA. McGeorge School of Law.
SOURCE: In:
Reece, R. M. (Editor). Treatment of Child Abuse: Common Mental Health, Medical,
and Legal Practitioners. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.,
2000; p. 36
ABSTRACT: Children
s statements during examinations and interviews have forensic as well as
medical significance. Under certain circumstances, the child s statements are
inadmissible as evidence, due to the hearsay rules of evidence. There are,
however, important exceptions. They include the excited utterance exception,
disclosure under the doctrine of fresh complaint, statements made during
diagnostic or treatment services, and the residual and child hearsay
exceptions. Interviewing techniquesmust include the avoidance of suggestive or leading questions. Confidentiality and privileged communication
have well-defined boundaries, and child abuse reporting laws override
confidentiality and privilege. A professional called upon to appear in court as
an expert witness should review only those portions of the record needed for
the testimony and should document the parts of the record reviewed. Privileged
and nonprivileged materials should be separated in the record. If one takes the
record tocourt, limit what is taken to the intended testimony. If possible, do
not take the record to the witness stand, and if it is taken, refer to it only
if necessary. Expert testimony usually takes one of three forms: an opinion, an
answer to a hypotheticalquestion, or a lecture providing information to the
judge or jury. Be prepared for cross-examination, understanding that the
defense attorney will try to raise doubts about the expert testimony. This is
done by trying to limit the expert s ability to explain, by undermining the
expert s assumptions, by impeaching the expert with a learned treatise, or by
raising the issue of the expert s bias toward the prosecution. 33 references.
(Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: medical
aspects of child abuse; physicians
role; legal processes; expert testimony; expert witnesses; rules
of evidence; hearsay rule; confidentiality
PUBLICATION TYPE: Chapter
in Book
INTERNET URL: http://www.press.jhu.edu
TITLE: No
Ordinary Life: Parenting the Sexually Abused Child and Adolescent.
AUTHOR: Knauer,
S.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
SOURCE: Charles
C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd., Springfield, IL., February 2000; p. 75
ABSTRACT: This
book for survivors of sexual abuse and their caregivers explains the impact of
sexual abuse on child behavior and suggests
parenting strategies for supporting the healing process. It reviews the signs
of sexual abuse and describes how to respond to a disclosure of abuse. Legal
aspects and court processes are addressed, as well as discipline and managing
behaviors such as eating disorders, self-mutilation, anger, and shame. Other
topics include survivors in foster care and group homes, intimacy and sexuality
among survivors, survivors as parents, and how to start a survivor s group. Suggestions for breaking the cycle of abuse are also
presented. The book is intended to provide a sense of kinship for survivors and
understanding for nonsurvivors.
KEY TERMS: sexual
abuse; sequelae; parenting skills; symptoms; disclosure; child behavior; discipline; group
PUBLICATION TYPE: Book
INTERNET URL: www.ccthomas.com
TITLE: A
Theory of Children's Services: Reflections on Epstein's Indictment.
AUTHOR: Stoesz,
D.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Children
and Youth Services Review
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Virginia
Commonwealth Univ., Richmond. School of Social Work.
SOURCE: 22(1):
pp. 1-11; Elsevier Science Ltd., New
York, NY., January 2000; p. 130
ABSTRACT: This
article reviews criticisms of the current child welfare system and suggests policy changes that will improve services for abused
children and their families. Some of the remarks depict the child welfare
system as perpetuating inferior practices without the desire to assess the
outcomes of its services. The public child welfare system serves primarily
poor, minority families, while wealthier families are treated by private and
sometimes commercial service providers. Workers inthe public sector tend to be
less qualified than those in private services and are expected to care for
children who are more traumatized with multiple risk factors. Recommendations
for child welfare reform include: national certification for children'sservices
workers, focusing on competency in forensic procedures, social policy, child
and family development, research, and finance; tax on alcoholic beverages to be
used for a wide variety of proven child abuse prevention initiatives; tax on
commercialchild and family service providers to fund locally integrated
categorical programs; federal funding based on child morbidity and mortality;
open cases of children with serious injuries or deaths while in care; establish
a child research institute in each federal region; require philanthropies that
are funding children and family issues to allocate 25 percent of their
resources to programs that utilize best practices; and create a tax credit for
children's mentors. 14 references.
KEY TERMS: child
welfare reform; service delivery; program models; public policy; policy
formation; funding; advocacy;
research needs
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Social
Support and the Relationship Between Family and Community Violence Exposure and
Psychopathology Among High Risk Adolescents.
AUTHOR: Muller,
R. T.; Goebel-Fabbri, A. E.; Diamond, T.; Dinklage, D.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: York
Univ., Toronto, ON (Canada). Dept. of Psychology.
SOURCE: 24(4):
pp. 449-464; Elsevier Science Ltd., New
York, NY., April 2000; p. 170
ABSTRACT: The
objective of this study was to examine the protective effect of social support
in the relationship between exposure to violence and psychopathology. Exposure
to violence in the family and exposure to violence in the community were
examined separately. Exposure to violence was further divided according to
whether violence was experienced as a victim or as a witness. Internalizing and
externalizing forms of psychopathology, as well as post-traumatic stress
symptomatology were measured. Participants consisted of 65 high-risk
adolescents admitted consecutively to psychiatric inpatient units. Data were
collected by means of individual interviews, self-report questionnaires, and
hospital charts. Social support emerged as a protective factor with respect to
the maladaptive effects of family violence, experienced as either a victim or
as a witness. In contrast, social support did not appear to buffer the
maladaptive effects of community violence, regardless of whether violence was
experienced as a victim or as a witness. In fact, the relationship between community
violence and psychopathology was found to be generally nonsignificant
regardless of social support status. These findings suggest that exposure to family violence may affect development
differently than exposure to community violence, allowing social support to
effectively buffer the effects of family, but not community, violence. This
finding highlights the importance of examining violence exposure that occurs
within the family separately from violence exposure that occurs within the
community. 58 references and 10 tables.
KEY TERMS: adolescents; psychopathology; sequelae; community
violence; family violence; social isolation; resilience; child
witnesses of family violence
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Children
in Foster Care: Factors Influencing Outpatient Mental Health Service Use.
AUTHOR: Leslie,
L. K.; Landsverk, J.; Ezzet-Lofstrom, R.; Tschann, J. M..; et al.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: California
Univ., San Diego. Children's Hospital.
SOURCE: 24(4):
pp. 465-476; Elsevier Science Ltd., New
York, NY., April 2000; p. 172
ABSTRACT: Detailed
survey and administrative data were collected on 480 children who entered
long-term foster care in San Diego County to determine factors influencing the
utilization of outpatient mental health services by children in foster care.
Data were linked with claims data from Medicaid and San Diego County Mental
Health Services information systems. A Poisson regression model was used to
determine whether the following factors influenced outpatient mental health
service use: age; race-ethnicity; gender; maltreatment history; placement
pattern; and behavioral problems as measured by the Achenbach Child Behavior
Checklist. Except for maltreatment history, all independent variables included
in the multivariate regression model were statistically significant. The total
number of outpatient mental health visits increased with age, male gender, and
non-relative foster placements. Relative to Caucasians, visits were lower for
Latinos, and Asian-Others, but comparable for African-Americans. Concerning
maltreatment history, differences were only found in one category: children
experiencing caretaker absence received fewer visits compared to children who
did not experience caretaker absence. Children with CBCL Total ProblemScale
T-scores of 60 or greater had significantly more visits than those with a score
less than 60. Both clinical and non-clinical factors influence outpatient
mental health service use by foster children. Limitations imposed by gender,
race-ethnicity, and placement setting need to be addressed by child welfare
policies. These findings suggest that guidelines are needed to
systematically link children in foster care with behavioral problems to
appropriate services. 44 references and 2 tables. (Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: utilization; mental health services; foster children; outpatient treatment;
predictor variables; age
factors; racial factors; child behavior
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: From
Maltreatment Report to Juvenile Incarceration: The Role of Child Welfare
Services.
AUTHOR: Jonson-Reid,
M.; Barth, R. P.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Washington
Univ., St. Louis, MO. George Warren Brown School of Social Work.
SOURCE: 24(4):
pp. 505-520; Elsevier Science Ltd., New
York, NY., April 2000; p. 188
ABSTRACT: This
study examined whether children who received child welfare services (e.g.,
in-home or out-of-home placement) were more or less likely to become
incarcerated as serious and violent youthful offenders than those children who
were investigated as victims of abuse and neglect but received no further child
welfare intervention. Administrative data on child abuse reporting, foster
care, birth records, and juvenile corrections (CYA) were liked to prospectively
examine the risk of incarceration as an adolescent following an investigation
of abuse or neglect after age 6. The 10 county California sample included
159,549 school-aged children reported for abuse and neglect after 1990. About 8
per 1,000 children in the sample were later incarcerated in CYA. African
American and Hispanic children who received in-home or foster care services
after the index investigation event had a lower risk of incarceration than
those whose cases were closed after the investigation. Among females, the rate
of incarceration was highest for those who experienced foster or group care
placements. Children initially reported for neglect were more likely to be
incarcerated than those reported for physical or sexual abuse. Public child
welfare services have rarely been assessed in terms of future negative child
outcomes. This study finds that one serious negative outcome, CYA involvement,
can only be understood when a number of factors are considered. The importance
of understanding the differences between how different subpopulations respond
to services is highlighted. Specifically, the findings suggest that more attention should be focused on children who are
now receiving no services after an investigated child abuse and neglect report,
on females, and on victims of child neglect. 39 references, 3 figures, and 2
tables. (Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: child
welfare research; risk factors; sequelae;
delinquent behavior; juvenile
delinquency; child abuse history; child abuse reporting; outcomes
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Coping
Strategies and Burnout Among Veteran Child Protection Workers.
AUTHOR: Anderson,
D. G.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Child
Abuse and Neglect
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Kentucky
Univ., Lexington. Coll. of Social Work.
SOURCE: 24(6):
pp. 839-848; Elsevier Science, Ltd.,
New York, NY., June 2000; p. 200
ABSTRACT: This
study examined how veteran child protective service investigations workers cope
with job stress and the relationship between coping strategies and levels of
emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and sense of reduced personal
accomplishment (burnout syndrome). Cross-sectional, self-report methodology was
used to measure coping strategies and the burnout syndrome. The voluntary
subjects were 151 front-line child protective service workers with at least 2
years experience in a southeastern Department of Social Services. They attended
one of nine stress management workshops provided in various locations around
the state. Quantitative analyses were run on the data. These workers perceived
themselves to use Engaged (active) coping strategies more than Disengaged
(avoidant) strategies. Sixty-two percent of participants scored in the high
range on Emotional Exhaustion, the aspect some researchers consider to be the
heart of Burnout. Those who used Engaged coping were less likely to feel
depersonalized and more likely to feel a sense of personal accomplishment.
Neither the use of active nor avoidant coping strategies saved these workers
from Emotional Exhaustion. The problem-focused strategies they are taught and
use most do not help deal with the emotional content and context of their work,
suggesting the use of emotion-focused coping to
prevent and remediate burnout. 39 references and 3 tables. (Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: child
welfare workers; coping skills; well being;
child protective services;
psychological characteristics;
stress management;
investigations; child welfare
research
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: State
Child Well-Being Ranking: Alternative Approaches.
AUTHOR: Engel,
S. M.; Field, C.; Finkelhor, D.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: New
Hampshire Univ., Durham. Family Research Lab.
SOURCE: New
Hampshire Univ., Durham. Family Research Lab., May 2000; p. 202
ABSTRACT: This
paper suggests a method for controlling for race when
ranking states in order of child well being. Data from the Kids Count Data Book
were analyzed to measure the amount of change in well being, as well as to take
into account the proportion of children in the state who are black. Both
methods changed the order of the states in the ranking of well being. When
states are listed according to the amount of change in indicators, Utah,
Alaska, and Maine received the highest scores. Massachusetts and Connecticut s
rankings decreased from the top 25 percent to the lowest 25 percent. When
controlled for the percentage of black children in the state, Maryland was
ranked the best for child well being. These findings illustrate the nature of
rankings systems. Policymakers are advised to apply different statistical
methods for measuring the well being of children and their families. 2 figures
and 20 tables.
KEY TERMS: well
being; state surveys; indicators;
measures; research methodology; statistical data; statistical analysis;
racial factors
PUBLICATION TYPE: Technical
Report
INTERNET URL: http://www.unh.edu/frl
TITLE: Posttraumatic
Response and Children Exposed to Parental Violence.
AUTHOR: Rossman,
B. B. R.; Ho, J.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Journal
of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
SOURCE: 3(1):
pp. 85-106; Haworth Press, Inc.,
Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 248
ABSTRACT: Using
a factor analytic procedure, this study attempted to examine how the DSM-IV symptoms
clusters for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder come together for a sample of 285
children living in shelters for battered women and the community. The mothers
of the subjects completed instruments about family background, their
relationship with their partner, and child behavior. Children were assessed for
vocabulary, cognitive skills, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress syndrome.
The findings revealed that children exposed to violence reported higher scores
for posttraumatic stress symptoms than non-exposed children. Although the
clusters of children s symptoms were somewhat similar to the DSM-IV clusters of
re-experiencing-intrusion; arousal-avoidance, and dysphoria, the study should
be replicated to collect further evidence of the pattern. The results demonstrate
the complex nature of diagnosing posttraumatic stress disorder in children
because the symptoms are similar to other conditions, such as depression and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. General suggestions are made regarding possible intervention
with exposed children experiencing posttraumatic symptoms. 49 references and 7
tables. (Author abstract modified)
KEY TERMS: child
witnesses of family violence;
posttraumatic stress disorder;
sequelae; trauma; symptoms;
intervention strategies; child
abuse research; self report
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com
TITLE: Consider
the Children: Research Informing Interventions for Children Exposed to Domestic
AUTHOR: Pepler,
D. J.; Catallo, R.; Moore, T. E.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Journal
of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: York
Univ., North York, ON (Canada). La Marsh Centre for Research on Violence and
Conflict Resolution.
SOURCE: 3(1):
pp. 37-57; Haworth Press, Inc.,
Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 250
ABSTRACT: This
article considers interventions for children exposed to family violence in
light of the research on children s problems associated with witnessing family
violence. Risk and protective factors related to these children s adjustment
are identified, emphasizing that all children are not similarly affected by
exposure to family violence. A systemic perspective of intervention is proposed
to address children s relationships with their mother, father, and siblings, as
well as within broader systems such as the peer group, the school, and the
community. The article summarizes the findings of an evaluation of an
intervention that incorporates some of the elements identified by a systemic
perspective. The evaluation revealed a significant improvement in children s
self-reports of depression and anxiety over the course of the program. Mothers
rated their children as significantly improved in emotional and hyperactive behavior
problems. There was no relation between mothers involvement in counseling and
children s improvement. Overall, the results suggest
that the Peer Group Counseling Program effectively provided support to children
exposed to family violence. Finally, the steps necessary to support children
and families in moving toward violence-free lives are described. 33 references
and 3 tables. (Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: child
witnesses of family violence;
intervention strategies; risk
factors; resilience; program evaluation; therapeutic effectiveness;
group therapy; peer groups
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com
TITLE: Witnessing
Parental Violence as a Traumatic Experience Shaping the Abusive Personality.
AUTHOR: Dutton,
D. G.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Journal
of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: British
Columbia Univ., Vancouver (Canada). Dept. of Psychology.
SOURCE: 3(1):
pp. 59-67; Haworth Press, Inc.,
Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 251
ABSTRACT: This
article reviews research about childhood trauma to explain the development of
abusive behaviors perpetrated by batterers. It proposes that a combination of
insecure attachment, exposure to physical abuse, and being shamed by a parent
magnifies trauma and contributes to the imitation of aggressive behavior.
Research has found that exposure to interparental violence can result in
imitative behavior, a weakening of attachment relationships which would
otherwise protect the child from the effects of violence, and high levels of
stress. Previous work by Dutton and his colleagues established a clinical
profile on intimately abusive adult men that is quite similar to profiles of
trauma victims in many essential clinical respects. Dutton showed that arousal
modulation problems, affective monitoring, cognitive problem solving deficits,
externalizing attributional styles, aggression and dissociative states are
common to both groups. Furthermore, intimately abusive men demonstrate similar
profiles as men diagnosed independently with posttraumatic stress disorder. The
trauma was attributed to early assaults on the self through parental shaming,
accompanied by insecure attachment and physical abuse victimization. Although
most of the research has examined the contribution of childhood physical abuse
to the personality development of spouse abusers, some evidence suggests that observation of interparental attacks is an equally
important risk factor. 48 references. (Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: child
witnesses of family violence;
trauma; child development; characteristics of abuser; child abuse history; research reviews; generational cycle of family violence; sequelae
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com
TITLE: Helping
Children Who Reside at Shelters for Battered Women: Lessons Learned.
AUTHOR: Stephens,
N.; McDonald, R.; Jouriles, E. N.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Journal
of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Houston
Univ., Texas. Dept. of Psychology.
SOURCE: 3(1):
pp. 147-160; Haworth Press, Inc.,
Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 255
ABSTRACT: The
need for mental health-psychoeducational services for children in battered
women s shelters is discussed in this article. In addition to questions of
types, targets, and timing of services, the need for a careful evaluation of
all shelter-based services for children is emphasized. Considerations include
the diverse range of needs of children residing in the shelter, causes of
sources of the children s problems, resources available to the shelter,
duration of shelter stays, and readiness for counseling. Suggestions and guidelines are provided in the
article for designing, implementing, and evaluating services for children in
battered women s shelters. In general, shelters should have a well-trained
staff that is knowledgeable about community resources, as well as an array of
activities and programs for helping women and their children feel comfortable
in the shelter. All programs should be evaluated for effectiveness. 25
references and 1 table. (Author abstract modified)
KEY TERMS: child
witnesses of family violence; battered
women; shelters; children in shelters; shelter management; mental health services; program planning; program evaluation
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com
TITLE: Custody
and Visitation Trends in the United States in Domestic Violence Cases.
AUTHOR: Lemon,
N. K. D.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Journal
of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: California
Univ., Berkeley. School of Law.
SOURCE: 3(1):
pp. 329-343; Haworth Press, Inc.,
Binghamton, NY., 2000; p. 263
ABSTRACT: This
article addresses custody and visitation trends in domestic violence cases in
the United States. It defines domestic violence behaviorally, looks briefly at
its prevalence, and discusses national policy statements and studies. It also
examines statutory trends concerning the role of domestic violence in custody
and visitation cases, including the O.J. Simpson guardianship case. Practical suggestions for litigants and judges are included.
The article concludes that the way domestic violence issues are treated in
custody and visitation cases is often problematic, and calls for specific
reforms. 4 tables. (Author abstract)
KEY TERMS: child
custody; visitation; spouse abuse; prevalence; public
policy; state statutory law; courts role; court reform
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
INTERNET URL: http://www.haworthpressinc.com
TITLE: Tips
for Investigating Child Fatalities.
AUTHOR: Lee,
D.; May, J.; O'Keefe, E.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000
JOURNAL TITLE: Update
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: American
Prosecutors Research Institute, Alexandria, VA. National Center for Prosecution
of Child Abuse.
SOURCE: 13(1):
pp. 1-2; American Prosecutors Research
Institute, Alexandria, VA. National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.,
2000; p. 268
ABSTRACT: This
article provides checklists for the investigation of child fatalities. Suggestions are presented for identifying and
interviewing witnesses, examining the suspected crime scene, creating a
timeline of the child s last hours or days, and analyzing data. Potential
witnesses include the medical professionals who treated the child, emergency
personnel, patrol officers, parents, caregivers, and neighbors. After hearing
the parents explanation of the child s death, investigators should specifically
seize the object involved in the child s death, clothes and diapers of the
child, the caretakers clothes, bottles and food containers, poisons and
medicines, home videos and photographs, and medical records. The timeline will
clarify the progression of the events that lead to the child s death and the
veracity of the caretaker s explanation.
KEY TERMS: investigations; child fatalities; interviews;
protocols; guidelines; police operating procedures; police responsibility; police role
PUBLICATION TYPE: Journal
Article
TITLE: Counseling
Sexually Abused Girls: The Impact of Sex of the Counselor.
AUTHOR: Moon, L.
T.; Wagner, W. G.; Kazelskis, R.
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2000