Susana Corral

The prevalence and impact of child maltreatment and other types of victimization in the UK: Findings from a population survey of caregivers, children and young people and young adults

OBJECTIVES To measure the prevalence of maltreatment and other types of victimization among children, young people, and young adults in the UK; to explore the risks of other types of victimization among maltreated children and young people at different ages; using standardized scores from self-report measures, to assess the emotional wellbeing of maltreated children, young people, and young adults taking into account other types of childhood victimization, different perpetrators, non-victimization adversities and variables known to influence mental health. METHODS A random UK representative sample of 2,160 parents and caregivers, 2,275 children and young people, and 1,761 young adults completed computer-assisted self-interviews. Interviews included assessment of a wide range of childhood victimization experiences and measures of impact on mental health. RESULTS 2.5% of children aged under 11 years and 6% of young people aged 11-17 years had 1 or more experiences of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or neglect by a parent or caregiver in the past year, and 8.9% of children under 11 years, 21.9% of young people aged 11-17 years, and 24.5% of young adults had experienced this at least once during childhood. High rates of sexual victimization were also found; 7.2% of females aged 11-17 and 18.6% of females aged 18-24 reported childhood experiences of sexual victimization by any adult or peer that involved physical contact (from sexual touching to rape). Victimization experiences accumulated with age and overlapped. Children who experienced maltreatment from a parent or caregiver were more likely than those not maltreated to be exposed to other forms of victimization, to experience non-victimization adversity, a high level of polyvictimization, and to have higher levels of trauma symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The past year maltreatment rates for children under age 18 were 7-17 times greater than official rates of substantiated child maltreatment in the UK. Professionals working with children and young people in all settings should be alert to the overlapping and age-related differences in experiences of childhood victimization to better identify child maltreatment and prevent the accumulative impact of different victimizations upon childrens mental health.

Coping as a Mediator and Moderator Between Intimate Partner Violence and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

This study examines the role of coping as both a moderator and a mediator of the association between intimate partner violence and womens mental health. A sample of 298 women who had suffered physical aggression completed measures of physical and psychological abuse, coping responses, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Tests of moderation consistently indicated that coping responses did not moderate the impact of intimate partner violence on symptoms of anxiety and depression, whereas tests of mediation demonstrated that disengagement coping mediated the impact of psychological abuse on distress. Thus, findings support the hypothesis that coping responses are influenced by violence itself and underline the dysfunctional nature of disengagement coping among victims.

Factor Structure and Validity of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales for Spanish Women

This study focused on the factor structure of the victimization form of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2). A sample of 1,266 women participated in the study, including a subgroup of battered women. Results of confirmatory factor analysis supported a model that integrates the five original scales with the severity of violence (minor, severe). In addition, the distinction between minor and severe forms of violence was supported by correlations between subscales. Except for minor injury, all of the scales and subscales presented good internal consistency. Comparisons between battered women and community women indicated significant differences in all scales and subscales.

Cognitive and coping mechanisms in the interplay between intimate partner violence and depression

Abstract This study examined the association between intimate partner violence, maladaptive cognitive schemas, coping, and depression in a sample of 298 battered women. The results indicated that maladaptive cognitive schemas were associated with less use of primary and secondary engagement coping, and higher use of disengagement coping. In particular, cognitive schemas reflecting disconnection and rejection accounted for the association between psychological abuse and percentage of disengagement coping. In addition, disengagement coping partially mediated between cognitive schemas and depressive symptoms. Finally, the role of cognitive schemas as personal constraints that affect the choice of coping and the implications for interventions with victims are discussed.

Trends in child maltreatment

2048 www.thelancet.com Vol 379 June 2, 2012 for HIV prevention, especially for specifi c high-risk populations. Mathematical models have illustrated PrEP’s potential eff ect on the epidemic trajectory. PrEP has been found to be cost-eff ective in a South African setting. By enhancing HIV prevention, PrEP aff ects the longterm sustainability of AIDS treatment programmes. Can we aff ord not to implement it?