ICL 3.3: Developmental Trauma & Adverse Childhood Experiences Flashcards
why do we care about developmental trauma and adverse childhood experiences?
maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences can harm the physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral development of children
the impact can be long-term, affecting functioning throughout life
maltreatment = exposure to violence, physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, sexual abuse
what is the prevalence of childhood abuse or neglect?
12.5% of children have experienced at least one episode of abuse or neglect by age 18
most were neglect cases (almost 80%) = most common child maltreatment
in which populations is childhood abuse/neglect more common?
minority children
21% of African-American children
14.5% Native Americans
13% Hispanic
what is the definition of physical abuse?
acts that any non-accidental physical injury to the child and can include striking, kicking, burning, or biting the child, or any action that results in a physical impairment of the child
in most US states and territories the definition of abuse also includes acts or circumstances that threaten the child with harm or create a substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare
what is the definition of emotional maltreatment/psychologcal abuse?
acts that cause injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child as evidenced by an observable or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition, or injury as evidenced by anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or aggressive behavior
is child physical abuse well reported in the US?
no, it’s substantially underestimated
for every child officially listed as a confirmed victim of physical abuse, more than forty others went undetected
how many kids are exposed to violence?
1/6 children worldwide lives in a conflict zone –> research on the long-term effects of war and occupation on the Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip and 41% of children had PTSD
in the US, exposure to violence was highest among inner city children
exposure to violence relates to the development of what other conditions?
- trauma symptoms/PTSD
- depression
- anxiety
- behavior problems
these often persist into adulthood….
what is the worst type of exposure to violence?
being a witness to or victim of violence at home
children who witness violence in the home are at high risk for perpetrating violence as adolescents and adults
this is a form of maltreatment! the caregiver is failing to take available measure to protect the child from violence exposure
how prevalent is sexual abuse?
1 in 3 to 4 girls will be sexually assaulted by 18
1 in 6 to 7 boys by 18
perpetrators usually male: 95% when victim is female, 80% when victim is male
perpetrators are usually known to the victim and aren’t strangers
what problems are related to someone who has been sexually abused?
- hypersexual behavior
- nightmares
- enuresis
- encopresis
- irritability
- school problems
- feelings of guilt
- depression
- anger
what is vulnerable child syndrome?
children in families who overuse health care resources with frequent visits to doctors’ offices for perceived child problems
these children are seen as vulnerable and thought to be at risk for behavioral, developmental, or medical problems
VCS relates to parental perception of child vulnerability!! the perception itself predicts increased ED visits and hospital admissions
parents with PPCV report more pregnancy problems, delivery problems, parent mental health problems
it’s not in an of itself a type of maltreatment unless it crosses over into factitious disorder imposed on another
what is factitious disorder imposed on another?
an individual, usually a parent or caregiver, present another person, often a child, as ill, impaired or injured
there’s falsification os signs and symptoms so it’s identified as deception
they do this even in the absence of external reward/gain so it’s the PERPETRATOR that receives this diagnosis!!
it’s thought to be due to a desire or psychological need to be associated with a chronically or seriously ill child, to gain medical attention
whether the caregiver qualifies for a diagnosis or not, the act itself can be labeled as medical child abuse or physical assault/abuse
what is medical child abuse?
child receives unnecessary and harmful or possibly harmful medical care (injured or put at risk by medical procedures, medication, etc.) because of caregivers’ fabricated or grossly exaggerated reports
what is physical assault/abuse in reference to factitious disorder imposed on another?
direct injury to a child by a parent to cause illness
e.g., inducing seizures, causing vomiting, suffocation, poisoning
