Multiple forms of child abuse and neglect: adult retrospective reports

There are few research reports of the experience of multiple forms of child abuse and neglect (multi-type maltreatment). A critical review is presente d of 29 studies in which adult retrospective reports of more than one form of child maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological maltreat ment, neglect, or witnessing family violence) are assessed. Empirical inves tigations of the extent and impact of multi-type maltreatment are identifie d. Data on the relationship between the different forms of maltreatment and the adjustment problems associated with each type of maltreatment are crit iqued. As well as using dichotomous measures of maltreatment, an important methodological problem was the failure of researchers to assess all child m altreatment types, the relationship between multi-type maltreatment and adj ustment, and the role of variables influencing the occurrence or impact of maltreatment. Considerable overlap was found in the occurrence of maltreatm ent types. The compounding or interacting effects of experiencing multi-typ e maltreatment were ignored in many studies. Where an assessment was made o f the specific impact of multi-type maltreatment, it was associated with gr eater impairment than single forms of abuse or neglect. A multidimensional approach to prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect is required in which children's vulnerability to multi-type maltreatment is addressed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.