Citation

McGuigan WM, Luchette JA, Atterholt R. Child Abuse Negl. 2018; 79: 395-400.

Affiliation

The Pennsylvania State University, Shenango Campus, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.03.008

PMID

29529593

Abstract

Research has established that childhood maltreatment experiences are associated with negative outcomes in adolescence, including violent and antisocial behavior (Chapple et al., 2005). Neglect is the most prevalent form of childhood maltreatment (U.S. DHHS, 2012), the consequences of which require further investigation. This study used archival data to explore whether childhood physical neglect increased the likelihood of violent behavior in a random sample of 85 males between the ages of 12-19 held at a long-term detention facility in the Northeastern United States. An anonymous survey gathered background information and data regarding childhood physical neglect and violent behavior in adolescence. A step-wise hierarchal regression model controlled for the effects of age, self-esteem, personal competency, depression, chemical drug use, family violence and a childhood history of physical abuse.

RESULTS showed that a history of childhood physical neglect was the strongest predictor of violent adolescent behavior in this sample when the data was tested for all moderator and mediator effects.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Childhood physical neglect; Delinquent; Male adolescents; Violent behavior