Child Maltreatment Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does child maltreatment refer to?

Physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and psychological or emotional abuse.

Child abuse and neglect have been recognized as a significant problem since the early 1970s.

True

Where does maltreatment often occur?

Within ongoing relationships that are supposed to be protective, supportive, and nurturing.

What paradoxical dilemmas do abused/neglected children face?

They want to stop the violence but also long to belong to the family. Signup and view all the answers

What types of maltreatment are recognized in the U.S. Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)?

Death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, among others. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three forms of child neglect?

Physical neglect, educational neglect, emotional neglect. Signup and view all the answers

What is psychological maltreatment?

Punishments such as locking a child in a dark attic or shackling a child to a bed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the prevalence of abuse and neglect in North America?

Over 3.5 million suspected cases are investigated each year. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (1978) describe regarding children?

Contacts or interactions where a child is being used for sexual stimulation. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristics are associated with Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)?

Victim age Signup and view all the answers

What are some consequences of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)?

Behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

What mediators can influence psychological effects of abuse?

Abuse characteristics, post-abuse events, and perceptions of abuse. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an assessment method for CSA?

Interviews with anatomically correct dolls. Signup and view all the answers

What is one treatment method for CSA?

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Child Maltreatment Overview

Child maltreatment encompasses physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and psychological/emotional abuse.
Recognized as a major societal issue since the 1970s, highlighting the importance of addressing child welfare.

Nature of Maltreatment

Maltreatment generally occurs within relationships meant to be protective and caring.
Victims face complex dilemmas, longing for familial attachment while experiencing violence and abuse simultaneously.

Types and Forms of Maltreatment

U.S. Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines maltreatment as actions leading to severe harm, abuse, or neglect.
Types of maltreatment: Physical abuse, neglect, psychological maltreatment, and sexual abuse.
Child neglect can be categorized into three forms: physical, educational, and emotional.

Psychological Maltreatment Examples

Severe methods of punishment, like confinement in a dark attic or shackling, exemplify psychological maltreatment.

Prevalence of Maltreatment

Battered child syndrome was once considered rare, with fewer than 300 reported cases in the 1960s.
Current statistics show over 3.5 million suspected abuse cases are investigated annually in the U.S.
In 2006, over 900,000 cases were substantiated, translating to 12.1 per 1000 children.

Sexual Abuse Understanding

National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect defines sexual abuse as any adult-child interaction for sexual stimulation.
Includes both intra-family and extra-family abuse, as well as involvement of adolescents as perpetrators.

Characteristics of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

Various factors characterize CSA, including victim age, sex, relationship to perpetrator, and type of sexual activity involved.

Consequences of CSA

Behavioral effects: Difficulties in social interaction, problematic sexual behavior, and substance abuse.
Emotional repercussions may include anxiety, depression, and anger.
Cognitive challenges can manifest as learning difficulties.
Physical symptoms can range from bruises to chronic pain.

Mediators of Psychological Effects

Abuse characteristics (level of aggression and relationship to offender) play a vital role in psychological outcomes.
Post-abuse reactions from significant others and social support influence recovery.
Victims' perceptions of severity and negativity toward the abuse shape psychological impact.

Assessment Techniques for CSA

Employing interviews with anatomically correct dolls to facilitate discussions of abuse.
Techniques include identifying doll characteristics, body parts, and exploring any inappropriate touching experiences.

Treatment Approaches for CSA

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a primary intervention strategy.
Treatment components include psychoeducation, anxiety management, affective expression, exposure therapy, and improving parenting skills.

Description

Test your knowledge on child maltreatment with these informative flashcards. Learn about the different types of child abuse, its historical context, and the impact of maltreatment within supposed protective relationships. Perfect for students studying psychology or social work.