ADOLESCENT PHYSICAL ABUSE - RISK FOR ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS

Objective: The present study examined whether physical abuse functions as air additional risk factor for adolescent psychopathology after ot her important known risk factors are controlled for. Method: The autho rs recruited 99 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years directly from the New York State Department of Social Services after official documentation of physical abuse. The abused adolescents were compared to 99 nonabuse d adolescents matched for age, gender, race, and community income. Dia gnostic interviews and measures of selected risk factors for psychopat hology were administered to the adolescents and their parents and then entered into a multiple logistic regression model testing the added r isk contributed by physical abuse to adolescent psychopathology. Resul ts: Physical abuse added significantly to other risk factors in accoun ting for lifetime diagnoses of major depression, dysthymia, conduct di sorder, drug abuse, and cigarette smoking. Physical abuse also contrib uted significantly to Prediction of current adolescent unipolar depres sive disorders, disruptive disorders, and cigarette smoking. Conclusio ns: Since physically abused adolescents are at greater risk for the de velopment of psychiatric disorders, recognition of adolescent abuse an d the provision of psychiatric and substance abuse services may reduce morbidity.