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Child Abuse—Mental health—articles

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Adaptation Guidelines for Serving Latino Children and Families Affected by Trauma (pdf)

added 01/13/2009
Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Rady Children’s Hospital - San Diego

"This document was created by experts in the fields of child trauma research, clinical practice, policy and cultural diversity to serve as a resource for anyone who works with Latino families who have experienced traumatic events. There are 12 priority areas covered ranging from micro issues (assessment and provision of therapy) to macro issues (organizational competence and policy). Each one includes an overview of the priority area, recommendations for improving practice based on that priority area, and additional resources for further information. Portions of these guidelines are geared for advocates and therapists, while other priority areas are designed for program administrators and policy makers."

Addressing Gender-based Violence: UNFPA Strategy and Framework for Action (pdf)

added 03/11/2009

This report, grounded in UNFPA's overarching goal of eliminating violence against women and girls, identifies particular areas where action is most urgently needed and proposes general policy frameworks for combating gender-based violence.

Boys will be Boys: Understanding the Impact of Child Maltreatment and Family Violence on the Sexual, Reproductive, and Parenting Behaviors of Young Men (pdf)

added 06/25/2010
Abby Kahn and Pat Paluzzi, Healthy Teen Network

A paper on the impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and exposure to family violence on the sexual, reproductive, and parenting behaviors of young men.

Childhood Experience and the Expression of Genetic Potential: What Childhood Neglect Tells Us About Nature and Nurture (pdf)

added 02/25/2009
Bruce D. Perry

"Abuse studies from the author’s laboratory, studies of children in orphanages who lacked emotional contact, and a large number of animal deprivation and enrichment studies point to the need for children and young nonhuman mammals to have both stable emotional attachments with and touch from primary adult caregivers, and spontaneous interactions with peers. If these connections are lacking, brain development both of caring behavior and cognitive capacities is damaged in a lasting fashion. The effects of the childhood environment, favorable or unfavorable, interact with all the processes of neurodevelopment."

Corporal punishment as a Stressor Among Youth (pdf)

added 11/19/2008
Heather A. Turner and David Finkelhor

"This article addresses the impact of corporal punishment by parents on the psychological well being of youth. Based on the authors' findings, the research indicates a positive association between the frequency of corporal punishment and both psychological distress and depression."

Corporal Punishment by Parents and Associated Child Behaviors and Experiences: A Meta-Analytic and Theoretical Review (pdf)

added 11/19/2008
Elizabeth Thompson Gershoff

"The author presents the results of meta-analyses of the association between parental corporal punishment and 11 child behaviors and experiences. Parental corporal punishment was associated with all child constructs, including higher levels of immediate compliance and aggression and lower levels of moral internalization and mental health. The author then presents a process– context model to explain how parental corporal punishment might cause particular child outcomes and considers alternative explanations. The article concludes by identifying 7 major remaining issues for future research."

Corporal Punishment in Adolescence and Physical Assaults on Spouses in Later Life: What Accounts for the Link? (pdf)

added 11/19/2008
MURRAY A. STRAUS AND CARRIE L. YODANIS

"Using data on 4,401 couples who participated in the National Family Violence Survey, this article reports modeling of cultural norms or other processes that could account for the link between corporal punishment and partner violence. Because corporal punishment of adolescents occurs in over half of U.S. families, the findings suggest that elimination of this practice can reduce some of the psychological and social processes that increase the likelihood of future marital violence and perhaps other violence as well."

Corporal Punishment of Children and Adult Depression and Suicidal Ideation

added 07/16/2001

Article that discusses the physical and psychological effects of child abuse.

Creating Trauma-Informed Systems of Child Welfare (pdf)

added 12/04/2012
Center for Excellence in Children's Mental Health

This article addresses systems-level changes that can help improve communication and service delivery and ultimately reduce trauma for children.

Developmental Repair: A Training Manual (pdf)

added 07/16/2009
Anne Gearity, PhD, LICSW

Washburn Center for Children has recently completed a training manual on Developmental Repair – the treatment framework that has been developed and implemented in their Day Treatment Program under the clinical leadership of Anne Gearity PhD, LICSW. It is an intensive treatment model for working with young children who have experienced complex trauma and present with aggressive and disruptive symptoms.

Developmental Status and Early Intervention Service Needs of Maltreated Children (pdf)

added 01/13/2009
J. Losby et al.

"In this report, published by the Institute for Social and Economic Development, the authors analyze findings from the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study and the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. They provide information about the developmental status and early intervention service needs of children under age three who are substantiated for maltreatment. Topics include: 1) the extent to which maltreated children have developmental problems or are subject to factors associated with poor developmental outcomes; 2) the services maltreated children might be eligible for and ones they receive through the child welfare systems; 3) case characteristics, such as child welfare setting, that impact the effect of developmental services; and 4) existing barriers to services."

Did You Know Your Relationship Affects Your Health? (pdf)

added 10/22/2008
Family Violence Prevention Fund

A tri-fold patient safety card which contains a checklist to assess safety, healthy/unhealthy relationships, and children's exposure to violence. The card also provides resources and information on how to get help.

Did You Know Your Relationship Affects Your Health? (Spanish) (pdf)

added 10/22/2008
Family Violence Prevention Fund

A tri-fold patient safety card which contains a checklist to assess safety, healthy/unhealthy relationships, and children's exposure to violence. The card also provides resources and information on how to get help.

Ecological Treatment for Parent-to-Child Violence (pdf)

added 02/19/2013
Cynthia Cupit Swenson, Ph.D. ; Lisa Saldana, Ph.D. ; Cathy Dodds Joyner, M.Ed. ; Scott W. Henggeler, Ph.D.

In this book chapter from Interventions for Children Exposed to Violence the authors present an ecological conceptualization of and a treatment for parent-to-child violence. This chapter provides an empirical background for the mental health correlates of parent-to-child violence, identifies the risk factors for child physical abuse in order to illustrate the need for an ecological treatment model, and describes recent work on applying an ecological treatment model and Multisystemic Therapy (MST) to parent-to-child violence.

Evaluating Children’s Advocacy Centers’ Response to Child Sexual Abuse (pdf)

added 09/12/2008
Theodore P. Cross, Lisa M. Jones, Wendy A. Walsh, Monique Simone, David J. Kolko, Joyce Szczepanski, Tonya Lippert, Karen Davison, Arthur Cryns, Polly Sosnowski, Amy Shadoin, and Suzanne Magnuson

"With funding from OJJDP, researchers have now completed a four-site evaluation of CACs that, for the first time, contrasts them with comparison communities that did not have a CAC. This Bulletin presents an overview of the results. It examines how CACs affect forensic interviewing, child victim disclosures about abuse, children’s receipt of medical exams and mental health services, prosecution and conviction of offenders, removal of children from their homes, and family satisfaction with child abuse investigations."

Facts on Trauma and Homeless Children (pdf)

added 07/21/2008
Ellen L. Bassuk and Steven M. Friedman, National Child Traumatic Stress Network Homelessness and Extreme Poverty Working Group (2005)

"This document gives a brief overview of homelessness, the impact of trauma on homeless children, and ways homeless shelter programs can provide services to homeless families who have been exposed to trauma."

Healthy Development: A Summit on Children’s Mental Health (pdf)

added 06/14/2010

"This report was compiled from a 2009 Summit that brought together a comprehensive group of stakeholders in child and family mental health with the goal of promoting children’s mental health. The report addresses issues such as the prevalence of children’s mental health, gaps in service, current research and public perceptions of mental health, and provides recommendations."

Helping Children Cope with the Stresses of War: A Manual for Parents and Teachers (pdf)

added 03/18/2009
Mona Macksoud, UNICEF

"A tool for parents and teachers in helping children cope with the stresses of war and other forms of systematic violence. This book provides illustrative drawings by children portraying experiences of stress. Guidelines on handling problematic behaviors with which children of various ages respond to stress are also provided."

Helping Children Cope with Violence: A School-Based Program That Works (pdf)

added 10/26/2005
A RAND Corporation publication

Violence is one of our most significant public health issues. Children exposed to violence frequently develop post-traumatic stress symptoms. They are more likely to have behavioral problems, poorer school performance, more days of school absence, and feelings of depression and anxiety. School officials are often willing to provide help at school. But these professionals face an important question: What works? There have been no randomized controlled trials of intervention effectiveness with which to answer this question. To fill this gap, a team of clinician-researchers from several institutions collaborated to develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention designed to help children traumatized by violence. The team included professionals from the RAND Corporation, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

Helping Traumatized Children at School

added 04/16/2010
Kathleen Nader, D.S.W.

A paper that discusses school interventions for traumatized children. It provides some of the guidelines and resources for use when youth's traumas affect their ability to function at school.

Helping Traumatized Children: Tips for Judges (pdf)

added 12/18/2009

"This fact sheet for judges and other court personnel outlines the impact of trauma on children's development, beliefs, and behaviors. It is designed to help professionals in the juvenile justice and family court system become more effective in addressing the unique needs and challenges of the traumatized children and adolescents they work with."

Helping Young Children Affected by Domestic Violence: The Role of Pediatric Health Settiings (pdf)

added 11/17/2004
Betsy McAlister Groves and Ken Fox

This paper is part of series of paper that addresses the way to mobilize community and programatic resources to provide responsive help to children and families affected both by domestic violence and poverty. This particular paper addresses importance of pediatric health care and mental health care in addressing domestic violence.

Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Treatment Foster Care (pdf)

added 03/27/2009

The guide highlights valuable information, references, resources, and tools for implementing Evidence-based Practices (EBPs) in Treatment Foster Care (TFC) service settings. The Resource Guide identifies specific models, interventions, and tools that TFC providers can use to deliver effective services to the children, youth, and families in their care. It also provides “how-to” information to help TFC providers successfully implement desired EBPs in their programs.

In Their Own Words: Trauma survivors and professionals they trust tell what hurts, what helps, and what is needed for trauma services (pdf)

added 04/07/2011
Ann Jennings, Ph.D and Ruth O. Ralph, Ph.D.

The purpose of this report is to capture and publish information from an exhaustive needs assessment process conducted over a period of nine months. In Their Own Words is the work of over 200 courageous women and men in the State of Maine who have dared to hope that the truth and wisdom of their experience will be heard by those in power, and that Maine’s mental health and human service systems will respond to the long ignored plight of children and adults traumatized by histories of interpersonal violence.

Intimate or Childhood Sexual Abuse and Obesity in Kentucky

added 11/04/2008
Ann L. Coker, PhD, MPH; Corrine Williams, ScD; James E. Ferguson, II, MD; Heather M. Bush, PhD; Yasmin Parrish; Leslie Crofford, MD

This study concluded that sexual abuse, whether experienced as an adult or child, was associated with a 32% increase in obesity among 4,391 women in Kentucky. The study also found that intimate partner violence and obesity are common health threats for women. The authors suggest that efforts to prevent physical and sexual abuse and mental health consequences of abuse on victims can have implications to improve women's health.

Learning from Experiences of Battered Immigrant, Refugee and Indegenious Women with Child Protection Services to Inform a Dialogue Among Domestic Violence Activisits and Advocates (pdf)

added 02/23/2004
V. Pualani Enos

This document introduces voices of battered immigrant, refugee and indegenious women who were also involved in Child Protection Services. The document explores how community approach can enhance the physical, spiritual and mental health of individuals, families and communities and how this concept can be well utilized for policy and practice for social services.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect: State Statutes and Professional Ethics (pdf)

added 06/03/2009
National District Attorneys Association

A comprehensive listing of state statutes on mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect. Also included is a listing of reporting requirements and code of ethics for professionals in various fields.

Mental Health Services for Children Who Witness Domestic Violence

added 04/30/2008
Betsy McAlister Groves

This article discusses the growing body of empirical research that demonstrates that exposure to domestic violence deleteriously affects children's social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Other formats: pdf

Mothers of Sexually Abused Children: Trauma and Repair in Longitudinal Perspective

added 09/18/2006

This study addressed the increase in maternal psychological stress that develops following the disclosure of their child's sexual abuse. A mother's stress is often correlated and associated with the child's coping skills and level of stress, thus it is extremely important to work with mother on relieving/alleviating their stress so as to in turn work the child at healing from their sexual trauma.

Psychological Abuse: A Discussion Paper (pdf)

added 05/27/2009
Deborah Doherty and Dorothy Berglund

"This paper is a review of research on psychological abuse in interpersonal and family relationships including in settings such as long-term care residences.The paper presents research findings on the personal, economic and health related costs of psychological abuse to the individual and to society, and briefly outlines legal recourses for victims. It concludes by exploring ways to recognize and address psychological abuse, while emphasizing the importance of developing holistic approaches "

Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study (pdf)

added 08/23/2011
Vincent J. Felitti, et al.

This article seeks to gain more of an understanding of the relationship between health risk behavior and disease in adulthood and the breadth of exposure to childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and household dysfunction during childhood. They conclude that a strong relationship does exist and that adverse childhood exposure can lead to multiple risk factors for several of the leading causes of death in adults.

Responding to childhood trauma: The promise and practice of trauma informed care (pdf)

added 04/02/2012
Gordon R. Hodas MD

This paper provides an in-depth examination of how trauma affects child development. It hopes to increase appreciation of the relevance of trauma in understanding children and in planning to meet their needs. Focus is given to risk and protective factors, the psychological effects of trauma, the main tenets of trauma informed care, and strengths-based approaches that promote resilience.

Screening and Assessment Tools for Child Welfare

added 08/15/2009

Offers an alphabetical listing of screening and assessment tools for child welfare. These tools can be used by workers directly with families, building a common understanding regarding the family's needs, strengths, and resources, and that can be used to measure progress on goals over time.

Status of Girls in Minnesota

added 05/25/2010
Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research

"This 2008 report provides detailed information on the status of girls in Minnesota. It also serves as a tool for advocates, researchers, and policy makers in developing a set of interventions that will ensure girls’ economic, social, and political equality in the state. "

Swallowing the Hurt: Exploring the Links Between Anorexia, Bulimia and Violence Against Women and Girls

added 09/09/2003
Shelley Moore, with the assistance of Kelly D'Aoust, Donna Robertson, Christina Savage and Yasmin Jiwani

This report examines the links between eating disorders and violence against women and girls. It is based on information gathered from published literature as well as consultations with community workers, health practitioners, and mental health professionals. “Swallowing the Hurt” has been designed for use by frontline workers, health care and social service professionals, educators, and researchers who offer services directly for or who may interact with women and girls experiencing eating disorders or violence.

The Contribution of Early Traumatic Events to Schizophrenia in Some Patients: A Traumagenic Neurodevelopmental Model (pdf)

added 07/05/2012
Read, J., Perry, B.D., Moskowitz, A., Connolly, J.

In this article, a traumagenic neurodevelopmental (TN) model of schizophrenia is presented, documenting the similarities between the effects of traumatic events on the developing brain and the biological abnormalities found in persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. From this model, it is recommended that clinicians and researchers explore the presence of early adverse life events in adults with psychotic symptoms in order to ensure comprehensive formulations and appropriate treatment plans, and to further investigate the hypotheses generated by the TN model.

The effect of lifetime victimization on the mental health on children and adolescents (pdf)

added 08/22/2006
Heather A. Turner, David Finkelhor & Richard Ormrod

This paper examines the cumulative prevalence of victimization and its impact on mental health in a nationally representative sample of 2030 children aged 2-17. This article is printed in a peer reviewed journal, made available with the efforts of the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

The Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders in Children and Youth (pdf)

added 01/13/2009
John A. Fairbank, PhD

"This publication reviews general population studies, disaster research, child maltreatment studies, and special population studies that report the prevalence of PTSD in children, adolescents, and young adults. It includes a brief discussion of the cumulative adverse effects of traumatic stress experienced from infancy through adolescence."

The Impact of Trauma on Infants (pdf)

added 12/04/2012
Children, Youth & Family Consortium, University of Minnesota

The Children’s Mental Health eReview summarizes children’s mental health research and implications for practice and policy.

The Origin and True Purpose of the Paddle (pdf)

added 03/07/2010
George Ryley Scott, William H. Grier, M.D. and Price M. Cobbs, M.D.

In this article, the authors explain the origins of paddling in a historical context of slavery, as well as the psychological effects of using corporal punishment on children.

The prevalence of child abuse and neglect

added 05/28/2010
Rhys Price-Robertson, Leah Bromfield and Suzanne Vassallo

"A resource sheet that summarizes the current knowledge about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in Australia. It provides an overview of Australian studies that have estimated the prevalence of the different forms of child maltreatment."

The Psychological Maltreatment of Children -Technical Report (2002)

added 01/07/2009
Steven W. Kairys, MD, MPH, Charles F. Johnson, MD and Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect (PEDIATRICS Vol. 109 No. 4)

"Psychological maltreatment is a common consequence of physical and sexual abuse but also may occur as a distinct entity. Until recently, there has been controversy regarding the definition and consequences of psychological maltreatment. Sufficient research and consensus now exist about the incidence, definition, risk factors, and consequences of psychological maltreatment."

The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect (pdf)

added 02/01/2005
Cynthia Crosson-Tower

This manual, designed to examine the roles that teachers, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school personnel have in helping maltreated children, provides the basis for the involvement of educators in combating the problem of child abuse and neglect. It also may be used by other professionals involved in child abuse and neglect interventions, such as child protective services, mental health, law enforcement, health care, and early childhood professionals, to gain a better understanding of the role of educators in child protection.

The Unclaimed Children Revisited, California Case Study (pdf)

added 06/14/2010
Janice L. Cooper, Yumiko Aratani, Rachel Masi, Patti Banghart, Sarah Dababnah, Ayana Douglas-Hall, Alex L. Tavares, and Shannon Stagman

"The purpose of the California Case Study is to identify, document, and analyze effective fiscal, infrastructural, and related policies that support research-informed practices for mental health services to children and adolescents in California."

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children Affected by Sexual Abuse or Trauma (pdf)

added 02/19/2013
Child Welfare Information Gateway

This paper describes the key components of trauma- focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), followed by a discussion of the target population, the effectiveness of TF-CBT, the characteristics of an effective therapist, and the role for child welfare agency administrators in the use of this therapy.

UN study on Violence Against Children

added 03/13/2009

"A press release on a new effort to provide a detailed global picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and reduce such violence. The study focuses on violence against children in five settings: the home and family, schools and educational settings, other institutional settings (orphanages, children in conflict with the law), the community and on the streets, and work situations. "

Understanding Child Maltreatment, Fact Sheet 2012

added 02/06/2013

From the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention, this fact sheet provides a basic overview of child maltreatment. It is intended for the general public.

Understanding the Current Mental Health Needs of Children Experiencing Domestic Violence in Vermont: Recommendations for Enhancing and Improving Responses (pdf)

added 12/15/2005
Kathleen J. Moroz, Ellie Breitmaier and Amy Torchia

This is currently the final publication in the series created through a collaboration of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, the Vermont Department for Children and Families and the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services. Part VII reports on findings from a study investigating the number of children/youth in Vermont exposed to domestic violence, the effects of this exposure on their social/emotional development and mental health, services provided by domestic violence network and mental health programs, perceived barriers to providing these services, the training needs of service providers in Vermont and both strengths and gaps in the continuum of services for these children/youth.

Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development (pdf)

added 03/29/2012
Child Welfare Information Gateway

A 2009 issue brief from the Child Welfare Information Gateway explaining how the brain develops; effects of maltreatment on brain development and; implications for policy and practice.

Violence Against Women: Classic Papers

added 08/21/2009
Raquel Kennedy Bergen, Jeffrey L. Edleson and Claire M. Renzetti

The purpose of this project was to assemble some of the classic works in the field of violence against women so that new generations of students, practitioners, and researchers would have a collective understanding of the work that has shaped the field. Included are commentaries from the original authors, when available, reflecting on why they authored the work when they did and the influence of their work on the field.

What About Me? Coping with the abduction of a brother or sister (pdf)

added 09/03/2008
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

"This booklet is based largely on input from eight children who have experienced the abduction of a brother or sister by a nonfamily member. It is designed to provide help, support, and guidance to children who are going through this type of trauma. "

What Is Trauma and Why Is It Important? (pdf)

added 04/07/2010

This is the first issue in a series focusing on trauma and child welfare systems. This issue defines trauma and describes its significance. Successive issues will highlight childhood trauma in the context of culture and identify ways in which child welfare systems can best respond to children.

Workers in the Shadows: Abuse and Exploitation of Child Domestic Workers in Indonesia (pdf)

added 10/02/2009

"This report documents how hundreds of thousands of girls in Indonesia, some as young as 11, are employed as domestic workers in other people’s households, performing tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and child care. Most girls interviewed for the report worked 14 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, with no day off. Almost all are grossly underpaid, and some get no salary at all. In the worst cases, girls reported being physically, psychologically, and sexually abused."

You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment (pdf)

added 01/13/2009
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)

"Presents several stories of child abduction survivors and how they have grown and developed from their traumatic experiences. This guide, written by survivors of child abduction, provides information to help other child abduction survivors cope with their own experiences and begin their journeys towards a better future. Additionally, this guide contains space where readers can write down their own thoughts and feelings in response to each personal story."