PREDICTORS OF SELF-REPORTED PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN CHILDREN ABUSED REPEATEDLY BY A PARENT

Objective: This study was designed to test the influence of gender, ty pe of abuse, and other factors on the development of psychopathology i n abused children. Method: Forty-one children who had been abused repe atedly either physically or sexually by a parent or parent figure were given the revised Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents. Results: Logistic regression analyses showed: conduct disorder was pre dicted by male gender and increasing age regardless of type of abuse; post-traumatic stress disorder was predicted by number of stressors ot her than abuse and not by sexual abuse versus physical abuse. Predicto rs of somatization, psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and separat ion anxiety also were identified. Conclusions: Gender, age, and stress ors other than abuse contribute to the prediction of psychiatric disor der in abused children. Early interventions with young abused boys cou ld help prevent development of violent behavior or conduct disorder; c ase work to reduce other stressors and treatments designed to reduce t he impact of stressors may ameliorate developing post-traumatic stress disorders and other emotional disorders in abused children.